later, I’m in a meeting with Paige, Nick, and Clarise Devreaux, a longtime repeat client and a friend of Grandma’s.
I give Clarise the most charming smile I can muster. “Long time no see. How are you, Mrs. Devereaux?”
“I’m fine, but I was distressed to hear about Beatrice. How is she doing? Is she going to pull through?”
“Grandma’s fine. It was a minor event, thankfully,” Nick says calmly. “She’s grateful for the flowers you sent and said they reminded her of better times in Malibu.”
Clarise smiles and looks at Nick.
“I’m so glad to hear it, but I’ll remind you, young man, at our age nothing’s minor.” Her eyes move to me. “I hated to hear it, especially with all the dreadful luck that runs in your family. When I heard she was in the hospital, I feared the worst.”
“It’s not all bad,” I mutter.
Clarise lifts an eyebrow. Paige looks up from her laptop and meets my eyes. Nick hides a shit-eating grin, pretending he’s scratching his nose.
Fuck. I’ve said the wrong thing, and the reason why is sitting too close, dolled up like a ripe plum.
I have to play this off. I’m wearing my lucky tie today, and Clarise knows my secret.
Smiling, I put my hand on the tie and hold it out.
“See? It’s a good day, or else I wouldn’t have this thing around my neck.”
Clarise laughs like a bird. “Your lucky charm! It’s so sweet that you still wear them after all these years. Ward, you always were a funny one.”
“Nah, Nick keeps up the comedy routine,” I say. “Now let’s hear about this expansion.”
With a happy nod, she opens the folder in front of her, rifling through some notes.
“Our candle company is really growing. I need room for eighty more people. Is building up an option? I don’t own the parking lot, so expanding out isn’t an option. And if we build up, how do I keep my employees working through the construction?”
I open her file and scan the proposal, plus the old place we renovated years ago.
“Building up is definitely an option, but we’ll need to inspect the building to find the load-bearing walls and go from there. The contractors can do a section at a time, so you can keep people working. But expanding up requires ripping off a roof. It would be difficult to keep the office as is while the work’s being done. Your best bet would be teleworking or office sharing.”
She gives me a polite smile. We run through a few more details for the next ten minutes, then she looks at me and says, “Oh, what’s the use in dragging this out? You’re hired. When can we do it?”
“Let me call my construction contractors and find a date.”
“Thank you!” Clarise gushes, picking up her purse and slinging it over her shoulder, but she doesn’t get up.
She’s not done, so I wait.
“You had big shoes to fill when your grandmother stepped away, Ward, but I must say...you’re doing a great job. Far better than anyone expected. Oh, and congratulations, you two! I heard the big news—The Chicago Tea even has a wedding countdown.” She leans over and gives Paige a grandmotherly pinch on the cheek
I hold in a sigh. Even though we haven’t set a date—and we never will, I remind myself—leave it to Osprey and his tabloid scum to find some way to torture me.
“Thank you,” I force out, then stand to walk her to the elevator.
By the time she’s on her way down, I’m shocked.
Clarise was never an easy client. I expected this meeting to be difficult.
Instead, it’s like I’ve found my stride thanks to one frightfully gorgeous woman. I shudder to think what happens when she’s gone.
“Where are we? This doesn’t exactly fit the definition of ‘on the way home.’ Millennium Park would’ve been closer. Just saying.” I tighten my hand around hers so she knows I’m joking.
Paige hits me with that grin. “But it’s across the street from Sweeter Grind, and I wanted good coffee.”
“There have to be closer coffee shops. We both know there are better ones. This small-town coffee shop is too damn sweet for Chicago tastes,” I grumble, leading her to a park bench.
She force-feeds me one of those Heart’s Edge truffles, though, and I almost change my mind.
It’s wet after an afternoon rain, so I put my coat down beside me and motion to it.
“Ohhh my gosh. I can’t believe I ever thought you were a Wardhole,” she beams.