stopping in front of her. She was all of a sudden brazen and harnessing the moment, clinging to what might be short-lived fortitude.
Becca seemed surprised by the question and took a moment to take inventory. “I have work, but after that I’m free. Is there another event at the vineyard?”
“No, nothing in particular.” She rocked back on her heels, feeling silly and a little vulnerable now as she waited. Gabriella and Madison hadn’t so much as breathed.
But Becca made up for whatever confidence Joey lacked, saying, “Maybe you can show me around town a bit? I mean, I’ve seen all the high points, but I have a feeling you know the secret spots.”
“All of them, and pride myself on it. After work, then?”
“I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Do you think that’s okay with…” Joey gestured behind her to the restaurant.
“Emmaline? Oh, she doesn’t have a vote.”
“Cool. See you then.” Joey headed back to her friends, amazed and terrified by what she’d just done. It wasn’t exactly sleeping with the enemy, but it wasn’t far off. On the other hand, neither of them had called it a date, so maybe it wasn’t.
“Did you ask Becca on a date?” Madison asked, as they embarked on their drive back to Tangle Valley.
“No.” She watched the darkened town through her window as Madison drove.
“Did so,” Gabriella supplied quietly from the back seat. “That conversation was tension coiled, too.”
Joey peeked over the top of the seat. “Now you’re exaggerating.”
“Am not,” Gabriella finished emphatically. “The jealousy factor just took your chemistry and quadrupled it.” She shook her head and fanned herself. “I need to tell Loretta.”
Madison tossed a glance over her shoulder. “Not if I get to her first.”
“You guys are gossiping about me with Loretta now?” Joey looked between them, incredulous.
Gabriella fielded this one. “She’s really wise and loves a good love story.”
“I hardly think this is a love story,” Joey said. “We just have good conversation while I admire how pretty her hair is.”
“And how you want to run your fingers through it before getting down to business,” Madison filled in, not taking her eyes off the road.
“Well, at least I did before I knew what her job was. Complicated now. My hands are confused about what they want.”
Madison ignored her. “Regardless, it has all the ingredients of an impressive love story. I’m not the romantic in this car, but I can spot formulas. Conflict, tension, a will-they-won’t-they storyline. I already popped the popcorn.”
“I’m eating it,” Gabriella said. “Pass the sexy butter.”
Madison nodded wistfully. “Big fan of sexy butter.”
Joey kinda liked it, too. Butter was warm and smooth like Becca’s skin and, okay, enough of that. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s two friends walking through a town.”
“On their journey to love,” Gabriella whispered.
Joey shook her head. “You’re trouble.”
“You love me.” Silence. Then, “God, this sexy popcorn is good.”
Chapter Eight
“Hello, gorgeous,” Becca murmured. She stood in what would be her office in just a few short weeks, grinning at how nicely the place was coming along. The Jade, decorated in whites, creams, and of course pale jade, felt spacious, bright, opulent, and modern, all the things it had been forecast to be by corporate. While they weren’t quite ready for guests, the resort had been granted its certificate of occupancy, and Becca had moved her work world from the temporary portable to the wing just to the right of the front desk. They’d placed her solid oak desk earlier that day, and she had gotten right to work. She still had food vendor agreements to process, training manuals to sign off on, team leader one-on-ones to conduct, and the spa to check in on. That area was apparently running behind schedule, making her wonder if they’d have spa services available their first week.
“I think it’s a true loss,” Becca voiced to Maria Rubins, the Vice President of Resorts for the western division. They’d scheduled an afternoon call to go over fallback options. “Vouchers for disgruntled spa hopefuls would be a nice touch, but honestly, Maria, I think we need to push to make sure we finish on schedule. Whatever it takes.”
“I completely agree,” Maria said. “How are we looking on bookings?”
“We’re completely at capacity for the first twelve weeks. The social media marketing pushes have done wonders, and that foldout brochure is breathtaking.”
“Excellent. I’ll touch base with our development team and see what the word is on the spa’s prospects for opening.” A pause. “So, how are you doing otherwise? All settled in?”
“Nearly.