Jay took the garland Dorothy handed up to him and strung it across the window. Every year, Dorothy decorated the office for the Christmas season, and every year Jay somehow ended up on a ladder doing her bidding. He’d given Rebecca the assignment to go bridesmaid dress shopping with a client, and she and the bride were on the phone together, talking about their budget and fabrics and shoes. Hovering was only making it harder on her, so it was better to be out of earshot.
They were back to only talking about work and moving around each other in a way that said they both weren’t sure what to do now. He had set the tone, and he could see the hurt in her eyes every time she looked at him.
Marlise came out of her office and gestured for him to come in. He finished with the garland and climbed down. “I think we can safely say it’s ten times more festive in here than yesterday, Dorothy.”
Dorothy winked. “Don’t think you’re getting out of putting the tree up with me. I’ll need your help pulling it out of storage. It’s already embarrassing that we’ve waited this long.”
He shook his head. “Wouldn’t dream of missing out. Next year, we’ll get everything put up in October, I swear.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
Marlise motioned for him to shut the door when he walked in.
“I talked to an interesting woman this morning. She’s planning her grandson’s wedding and insists we see her for a consultation today.”
Jay sat in the leather chair across from her desk, sure this was Marlise’s way of prepping him for a difficult customer. Older women tended to like him. They were Clarissa’s kryptonite.
“Why can’t she wait for an opening like everyone else? She’ll be trouble the whole time if she’s like this already.”
“Probably, but she’s Rebecca’s grandmother, and she’s sparing no expense.”
“Rebecca’s grandmother?”
“Yes. She was concerned about who might handle the account, with Rebecca being so new here, but I assured her you would take care of everything, while Rebecca would only assist. She thought that was perfect.”
“I have no say in this?”
Marlise stared at him. “Just meet with her. If you want to tell her we’re already booked, I’ll understand.”
Jay rubbed his hands over his face. He had no concerns about the woman remembering him, but he remembered her. She’d taken one look at Jay’s car and clothes and pretended like he didn’t exist for the remainder of her visit. And even though he and Rebecca were supposed to study, she’d gone out to dinner with her grandmother and Patrick instead. After that, Patrick went from a guy she’d been on a few dates with, to her serious boyfriend.
Rebecca didn’t seem to like her grandmother much, but she did listen to her. And if her grandmother wanted to use their company to support Rebecca, the two must still be close.
“How can I tell her we’re booked? I’m assuming she ran the dates by you already.”
Marlise squirmed. “She did. It’s a quick engagement. They’re getting married February eighth.”
He checked his calendar. “That’s a Monday. No one gets married on a Monday unless it’s Valentine’s or something.”
“It’s the bride’s birthday. She doesn’t want the groom to ever forget their anniversary.”
He suppressed a groan. This was sounding worse and worse. “Will the bride be at the consultation?”
“Yes.” Marlise gave him a sympathetic smile. “I’ll email you the file I started on them. They’ll be here at three.”
***
Jay sat down at his desk across from Rebecca, once again avoiding her eyes. Seeing Patrick must have dredged up all his hurt feelings, and justifiably so. After all, she’d dumped her best friend for a guy worth less than dirt. The regret was beating her over the head, reminding her how stupid she’d been. Jay didn’t want to be her friend. He didn’t want to be her anything.
And the other ticking time bomb had yet to go off. If Ian said Grandma would call, she’d call. And waiting was almost worse than knowing.
“Rebecca, we need to talk.” Jay stopped staring at his computer screen and walked to the door, shutting it.
Her palms sweated with all the possibilities of what he might have to say outside of Clarissa’s hearing. Although she wouldn’t put it past the woman to bug the room, just so she didn’t miss out on anything.
Jay sat in one of the leather chairs they kept in the corner for consultations, and gestured for Rebecca to come sit as well.
She sat down next to him, wishing he’d just say whatever it was.
