My palm flies up. “Gueston your property.”
“Sure. A guest who might casually notice morning routine gone to hell and say, ‘Hey, Holden, anything I can do to help before I head to the Dizzy Duck?’”
“Absolutely, because compliancy was on my resume when you hired me tointerior designyour inn,notnanny.”
Holden grabs the to-go coffee that one of the staff hands him, except Holden doesn’t give the woman even a drop of attention because his eyes are fixed on me, or rather, glued in a gaze with mine because I can’t tear away from the view either.
Then he leans down, every inch closer causing my nipples to peak even tighter. “But I believe your words were… I always aim to please.” His voice is nearly husky with his breath even breezing into my space.
As much as I should be scared because it feels like a caution, I only smile. The kind that informs him I’m having fun, although my words are difficult to muster in this moment.
Holden stands and switches his attention from me to Summer. “Good to see you.”
“Surprised you noticed I was here.” She chortles a laugh.
Holden finds that amusing as he takes a sip of his coffee. “Any chance your brother-in-law has broken his radio silence and might actually return to Lake Spark to take interest in his 10% that your in-laws were so intent were mandatory for the hotel sale?”
Summer’s face hardens a tad, her smile strained. “I’m the last person to ask about Nash,” she grits out. “And you probably know just as much as I do.”
Mentioning Nash’s name around Summer always seems to cause her to tense. Nobody knows why, and that unfortunately includes me, too.
Holden doesn’t pause for a tick because maybe he too noticed Summer’s demeanor change, but then he brushes past the subject anyhow. “By the way, we have a job opening coming up. I need someone to handle the staff and the bookings. It’s part-time, but the last manager is moving to California due to her husband’s work. When your father-in-law dropped by recently, he mentioned that it might be your forte.”
Her lips quirk out. “Huh. Maybe. I kind of like working for the city council, though.”
Holden shrugs. “Well, if you change your mind.”
“First I need to see how you treat your interior designer, since you are her currentboss.” Summer flashes her eyes at him.
Holden’s jaw tenses, and he smiles awkwardly. “I like to think of Lexi and me as equals in a partnership… to improve the Dizzy Duck.”
I want to hold onto the table for stability because I think my mind just tricked me into hearing allusions of underlying meanings. My eyes sideline to Summer, and her look informs me that it is not in my mind.
“Well then, good luck with that, or rather her.” She indicates me with her head.
Holden’s sexy smirk is back. “I think that I can keep her in line. See you around, ladies.” He walks toward the door. “You even sooner, Lexi,” he calls back.
When the bell dings to inform us that he’s left, I notice Summer’s mouth has gaped open. “Uh-oh, someone is in for a wild ride. Wow, you guys have chemistry.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I know. His sweltering gaze needs to be locked in a box.”
Summer brings her cup of coffee to her lips. “I’m sure you will find a box for that… probably in his bedroom.”
I huff a breath. “Well, now you know my predicament.”
“This is going to be fun. I get to be the bystander that watches from the offside.” Now she has a bright smile that’s good to see.
Sliding out of my seat, I say, “Happy to provide entertainment. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get to the inn to talk with the contractor.”
“Keep me updated.”
I wave her off.
* * *
After informingthe contractor how I want to redo the fireplace mantel in the lobby, yet preserve the stones and also keep the original wood where we can in the inn but paint over or polish, I feel good about where I can take this immense project. I have so many ideas, but my vision is clear for what will make the best statement when someone walks through the door.
But now I find myself closing the door to Holden’s guesthouse behind me. Stuart at reception gave me a key. To be fair, this little place, although missing a kitchen, is a great location behind the house, getting an even better view of the lake. The interior is simple but with a few added colored pillows so the white is taken down a notch.
