“Join me for lunch.” It’s not a question, but rather a demand, and one I know better than to deny. “I thought we’d drive to Aurum Ridge. They have excellent food.”
They do. Not that my bank account can afford a crouton in that place.
Apparently that thought bleeds onto my face, because Mr. Montague chuckles. “Don’t worry. It’s on me.”
Heat creeps up my neck. Great. Now he knows I’m broke.
“Kiki,” he adds, as though he has insight to every thought racing through my brain, “I’m invitingyouto lunch. You’re not paying. Consider it a business expense.”
God, I’m out of practice with people. I feel like I’m eighteen again, attending my first college interview. Although I had a far better self-image in those days.
“I appreciate it.” I smooth my hands over my skirt. “Is Eddie coming along too? We could go over the plans together.”
“Good idea.” Mr. Montague glances toward the driveway. “Eddie, join us for lunch. We’re heading to Aurum Ridge.”
Eddie looks up from sorting through his toolbox, his gazevolleying between the two of us. “If it’s all the same to you, Nolan, I’ve got a ton of work to do. I’d rather stay here and get the guys started.”
Romy, who seems intent to hover a little too close to Eddie for my liking, waves Mr. Montague off. “Don’t worry, boss. I’ll make sure the guys get fed.”
I bet she will.
Stop it, Kiki. You don’t get to be mad about this. Of course Romy likes Eddie. What sane, red-blooded woman wouldn’t? He’s fucking perfect.
And he was mine until life ripped him away from me.
Now, because life is clearly a sadistic bitch, I have a front-row seat to watching a willowy blonde beauty flirt with him.
My only saving grace? He hasn’t flirted back. Yet.
But Eddiehasmade it clear he’d rather snack on a soggy sandwich at a dilapidated job site than dine at one of the nicest restaurants in the area.
Translation, he’d rather beanywherethan stuck at a table with me.
He hates me.
If he only knew how much I hate myself.
Mr. Montague drops me back at the house a couple of hours later, and I’ve learned two things: the man has deep pockets and an even bigger personality. He’s charismatic, intense, and, if I’m being honest, a little exhausting.
We discuss his vision for each room. I try to focus on timelines and expectations, but he insists on circling back to thechemistry between Eddie and me. I lose count of how many times he brings it up.
But Eddie would rather eat drywall than be anywhere near me.
Best keep that bit of knowledge to myself.
The guys are deep in demo mode when I return. Seems the one compromise Nolan and Eddie were able to reach this morning was that all demo work needs to be completed first.
Thank God Nolan didn’t argue that facet, too.
I peer down at my outfit and wince. Yeah. I’m wildly overdressed.
Honestly, I’d prefer to leave and work on my sketches from home, but Nolan was adamant that he wants me onsite.
Why? Not a damn clue, unless you count the whole chemistry mumbo jumbo.
I walk through the door and immediately sidestep a guy carrying a length of lumber, before almost colliding with another man as I round the corner.
Wonderful. I’m already in the way.
