check it out.”
Sadly, the women’s selection wasn’t much better, though I found a few sweaters that looked way better than the ones on the men’s side. I also grabbed a pair of fitted jeans before going back over to Daniel, who nodded approvingly when spotting my finds.
Cole met us at the front of the store near the checkout. Seven bottles of wine were in his cart, along with what looked like baking supplies.
“What’s a blizzard without wine?” he said.
“Dude, that’s smart.” I imagined sitting by the fireplace in our room and having a glass of red wine. “I’m gonna go get some too.”
“I grabbed the last of it. Here.” Cole handed me a bottle. “Take this one.”
“Thanks.”
Daniel took the bottle from me, along with my clothes and toiletry items like more toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant, and placed them on the counter to be checked out. The girl ringing up the stuff smiled at him.
“Crazy weather we’re having,” she said before tucking her blonde hair behind her ears. Girl was totally flirting. “I hope you’re staying warm.”
Oh, I bet you’d love to warm him right up. It was the second time I had let myself get jealous over someone flirting with Daniel. He wasn’t mine. Hell, he wasn’t even gay.
“Crazy, indeed,” Daniel responded in a polite, but not overly friendly, tone.
I inwardly smiled. He wasn’t interested in her, at least.
Once we got back to the manor, we helped Cole carry in groceries before thanking him and taking our stuff to our room. Daniel set up his laptop at the table near the window and video chatted with a client while I cuddled up in bed with my laptop and responded to emails.
As Daniel’s voice filled the room, I glanced out the window. The red curtains were drawn back, and I stared at the snow falling against a white sky. There had been a small break in the storm when we’d gone to town, but it had started again, the snow falling heavier than earlier.
My phone buzzed.
Quinn: How are you holding up?? I’m watching the weather. Doesn’t seem like it’s going to slow until tomorrow.
I had texted him last night before bed and told him what had happened. In typical Quinn fashion, he had freaked out. He’d even offered to come pick me up, and I had to remind him that the route was blocked. Unless he had a private plane or rescue helicopter, there was nothing he could do.
Me: I’m ok. There are worst things than being trapped with your hot boss.
Quinn: lol you’re so bad.
Before I could respond, another text came through.
Quinn: You should fuck him and call him Daddy. Maybe let him spank ya a little. YOLO.
Me: What????
Quinn: IGNORE THAT. Monty stole my phone.
I laughed out loud, then snapped my mouth shut when Daniel pinned me with a hard look. He was still video chatting with a client. I mouthed “sorry” before focusing on my laptop, pretending to work. I had finished all of my to-do tasks, though, and was waiting for a few responses before I could do anything else.
“When I’m back in town, we can set up another meeting with an update on your commercial,” Daniel said, then nodded when the person responded. “Great. Have a nice day.” Once ending the call, he stood from the table and stretched, wincing a bit as he did. He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I told you that cot was bad news.”
He scoffed. “Don’t start with that again.”
“Tonight, you’re sleeping in this bed,” I said, patting the mattress beneath me. “And I’ll take the cot. It’s only fair.”
Daniel grumbled something before going into the bathroom and splashing water on his face. Poor guy probably hadn’t slept well. When his phone rang, he wiped his face, then rushed over to the table to answer it.
“Daniel Sawyer,” he said in his signature serious tone. Surprise flickered across his face. “Oh. Mr. Crawford. I wasn’t expecting to hear from y—” He must’ve been cut off because he stopped midsentence and listened. He then smiled huge but kept his voice steady. “That’s excellent to hear. I’m glad our efforts were worth it in the end.” A short pause. “Yes, I will get on that first thing when I get back to the office.”
I crossed my legs and waited for him to get off the phone so I could pounce with my questions. He didn’t give me the chance.
“Vivian Parks decided to go with our company,” Daniel said after lowering the phone from his ear.