Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
STELLA
“ I ’m sorry,” we blurt simultaneously and then smile at each other across the table.
This is my best friend. The sister of my heart. And this time with her is exactly what I needed.
“No, I’m sorry,” Liv says, shaking her head as she reaches for my hand, her green eyes filled with concern. “I know I’ve been kind of absent lately. I don’t mean to be. Honest. I’d like to be around more, but life is just crazy. But that’s no excuse! I don’t mean for it to sound like it’s just an excuse.”
“I know what you mean,” I reply with a sigh. “I know it’s a busy time. I feel like I can’t catch my breath these days. Between the huge project I’ve been working on, keeping up with the smaller accounts I also have, and this new thing with Gray, it’s a lot. But it’s absolutely not acceptable for us to not speak, Livie.”
“Agreed,” she says, nodding her head. “I vow to be better about returning calls and texts. And I’m going to make it to our Wednesday dinners, no matter what. But, most of all, if you need me, Stel, all you have to do is say so. I’ll drop whatever I’m doing to give you my undivided attention.”
“I guess you’re not a mind reader, huh?” I ask her with a self-deprecating grin and then laugh when she just shrugs her shoulders. “To be fair, things are happening really fast with Gray. You and I were playing phone tag a bit, and I got caught up in this new, sexy whirlwind with him. Danny only knew first because he knows Gray, and because Gray’s the one handling our quickie divorce. You and I both know that Danny’s important to me, but you’re my bestie. You’re practically my sister.”
“I know that,” she says, waving me off. “And I didn’t mean to sound like such a bitch about Danny. I like him a lot. But I haven’t seen you much, and there suddenly seemed to be all this information I had no clue about that Danny knew. I totally got jealous for a minute.”
“I would have, too,” I admit. “If I had been in your shoes.”
“So, let’s not ever fight like this again,” Liv says. “Because I’ve been sick to my stomach for days, and I just can’t do it.”
“Agreed. Never again. You’ll always know what’s going on with me, even if I have to just leave you a voice message or something.”
“Same.” Liv lets out a relieved sigh. “Thank God that’s over.”
“Right? That was the worst. ”
“Okay, now tell me about Gray.”
The waitress interrupts us when she comes to take our orders, but when she’s gone, I grin at Liv.
“First thing’s first. Tell me he’s hot.”
“I mean, I am in love with Vaughn, totally and completely, but now that that disclaimer is out there, yeah. Gray’s a fine specimen of man, Stel. But what about the age thing?”
“Everyone seems to be hung up on that part, but it’s never been an issue for us. He’s a great guy. Funny, sweet, charming. Loves his family.”
“Big bonus,” Liv says.
“The sex is just…I don’t even have the words.”
“Isn’t that the best ?” She wrinkles her nose in that way she does when she’s happy. “When the sex is so good that it just surprises you?”
“I didn’t know about it until about two weeks ago, but, yeah. It’s something.”
“I’m excited for you,” she says and does a little shimmy on her side of the booth. “It’s fun to be all aflutter over a hot man. Now, how is the big project at work going? Is that one for Ms. Paddington?”
“Yes, but I have only spoken with her once.”
Liv blinks at me. “But you’re heading a major renovation on her house.”
“One of her houses,” I remind her. Florence owns the Seattle professional football team and was a referral through my uncle Will, who played for the organization for close to twenty years. “I mostly talk with her assistant. But the good news is, it’s done.”
“It’s done ?”
“Yes.” I pull my phone out of my bag with excitement. “In fact, after this, I’m headed to the house for the unveiling. Florence just got into town today.”
“Oh my God, show me,” Liv says and moves from her side of the booth to mine so we can look at the photos together.
“She wanted a French country home theme, so it looks a little rustic, but it’s all state of the art and, in my opinion, absolutely beautiful. Look at this butler’s pantry.”
“I need this,” Liv decides. “You will come to our house and make this happen for me right away.”
“I’d love to get my hands on that house,” I reply with a grin. “I just love all the exposed brick and the brightness with all those windows and light colors. The furniture is all new throughout the entire house. It was a true and complete renovation, from top to bottom.”
“Stella, this is your very best work. It must have cost a fortune.”
“A fortune and a half,” I confirm. “I can’t wait to show her. But first, I need to eat this burger and hang with you for a while longer. How are things with you guys? Are you sick of that commute yet?”
“It’s not ideal,” she says. “Vancouver really isn’t that far away, but it’s far enough that when you have to drive it all the time, it’s a pain in the ass.”
“I bet.”
“But it would be worse not to see Vaughn for weeks at a time, so it is what it is, you know?”
“And how is work?”
“Really good. I love it so much. More than I ever thought I would, and that was a lot. I’m working on two different projects right now. A zombie movie, which is way too fun, and another rom-com. I love those.”
“Look at us. A couple of kick-ass bosses just living our best lives.”
“We’re pretty awesome,” she agrees and clinks her glass of Coke to mine. “Grade-A badasses.”
I drive my car through the open gates of Florence’s house and take a long, deep breath. I’m always a little nervous—in a good way—when it’s time to show off the finished product after completing a job.
But this one was big. And because of who Florence is and how influential she is, this could mean huge things for my career. I poured my heart and soul into this design, and I just really want her to love it.
“You did all of the things she asked for,” I remind myself as I gather my handbag and climb out of the car. “This is going to be fun.”
I walk up to the front door, use the code to unlock it, and walk inside. I made arrangements with Karen, Florence’s assistant, that I would be here first to turn on the lights and get it looking just so. Then, they’ll meet me here for the fun part.
I hurry through the house to flip on lights, fuss with fresh flowers, and am changing the pillows on a settee in the parlor when I hear the doorbell.
“Showtime,” I whisper as I hurry to the door, smiling as I open it wide to see Florence, her white hair a stark contrast to her all-black attire, and her young assistant, Karen. “Welcome home, Ms. Paddington.”
“Thank you,” she says and walks inside. “I’m looking forward to this.”
“I am, too. Where would you like to start?”
“Why, the kitchen, of course.”
I nod happily and lead the two women into the kitchen as I start telling Florence about everything we’ve done.
“I especially love the exposed brick around the oven, and these countertops are just magnificent. This is one slab, which doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, they have to put two or even three slabs together, but we were able to find one complete piece for this. But this is the best part.”
I walk to the tall doors that look like a cabinet and open them to a whole second room, lined with shelves, more countertops, another fridge, and a sink.
“This butler’s pantry is going to be the envy of all your friends.”
“Hmm,” is all Florence says.
I can’t get a read on her to tell if she likes or hates it. She’s completely impassive.
But I keep going with my happy spiel about all the state-of-the-art equipment that we installed in the room.
“How lovely,” Karen breathes. “It’s even better than the drawings you sent me.”
“Thank you.”
I lead them through the new dining room, Florence’s office, and up to the owner’s suite that also went through a complete rehab.
“You could likely swim in this tub,” I say with a wink. “And that concludes the tour.”
“I see,” Florence says, looking around. Without another word, she walks out of the bathroom and out of the bedroom altogether, then heads down the stairs to the kitchen.
Karen and I share a look, and I hurry after her.
“Of course, if there’s anything you’d like to see tweaked here or there, I can certainly handle that for you.”
Florence holds up her hand, indicating that I should stop talking. So, I do. I hang back and watch as she takes a second pass through the house, silently looking around, her face completely sober.
When she returns to the kitchen, she narrows her eyes on me.
“I absolutely hate it.”
My stomach sinks. “What? But it looks exactly like the sketches I sent over to Lily, your previous assistant. She replied and said you approved them.”
Karen shuffles from foot to foot, and I have a very bad feeling about this.
“Lily didn’t show me anything,” Florence replies. “She approved it herself, based on her tastes.”
I look between the two women in shock.
“You have to be kidding me.”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?” Florence demands. “I can’t believe that you would think this would be my taste. Don’t you pay attention? Look at me. Do I look Parisian?”
“I can’t believe this.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I’ll tell you what you’re going to do,” Florence says. “You’re going to fix it. All of it. I want it all ripped out, and you’ll start over. At your expense.”
“This was a quarter of a million-dollar renovation,” I remind her.
“And I didn’t approve a dime of it,” is her reply.
“Do you hate the entire design? The floorplan?”
She pauses and sighs deeply. “I don’t hate the butler’s pantry.”
Hope springs as I think quickly. “Okay. Can we compromise and keep the structure intact? I will take out all the décor and start fresh there. New furnishings, linens, wall hangings. Everything will be completely different. I can even make that exposed brick look… not French.”
Florence narrows her eyes on me. “If I still hate it, there will be hell to pay. Honestly, I expected more out of Will Montgomery’s niece. He’s such a hardworking man, a professional. And this is what I get from you?”
Without another word, she leaves the house, with Karen following after her. Karen looks back to give me a sympathetic smile.
My mind is whirling. Even replacement of the furnishings and décor will cost roughly six figures.
I hurry through to turn off all the lights and then lock up behind myself as I rush to my car and quickly leave, wanting to get as far away from here as possible.
When I’m stopped at a red light, I quickly text Gray.
Me : Can’t make dinner tonight. Sorry. I’ll call you tomorrow.
I don’t want to be with anyone right now. Damn it, I worked my ass off on that job, and she fucking hates it? Why in the hell didn’t she ask Lily to see the artwork? Why didn’t she call me herself?
“And why the fuck did I believe Lily, rather than checking in with the client to make sure everything was on track?”
I hear my phone ping with a text, but I ignore it. I just want to get home, bury my head in the covers, and make this whole event disappear.
Even if it’s only for today.
Because starting tomorrow, this will be a massive shit show.
This project consumed me for months. Like Liv said, it’s my very best work, and I was excited to showcase it in my portfolio.
And now, all of that work is in the dumpster. And if I don’t make it right, it could mean the end of my career.
I screech to a halt in my driveway, then hurry inside and up the stairs to my bedroom. I can’t get my suit off fast enough. When I’m naked, I climb into a steaming hot shower and let myself cry with anger and disappointment.
Once I’ve washed my hair, I dry off and throw on a simple tank and some yoga shorts, pin my wet hair on the top of my head, and climb into bed.
I didn’t realize that it was possible to grieve over something like this, but that’s exactly what it feels like I’m doing. Between crying jags, I fall asleep, only to wake up and remember the humiliation of this afternoon and cry again.
I don’t remember the last time I cried so damn much.
I turn onto my back and feel that I’m no longer alone in the room. It’s probably one of the cousins looking in on me.
“Go away.”
“Not a chance.”
I push the covers off my face and stare up at Gray.
“What are you doing here?”
“You stopped answering my texts. Baby, what’s wrong?”
I shake my head and pull the covers back up.
“Just go away, Gray.”
“No, I absolutely will not go away. Talk to me. Are you hurt?”
Only in my heart. Only in my self-worth and confidence. I’m only questioning all my life choices—and I don’t even care if that sounds dramatic.
“No, it was just a shitty day, and I want to be alone.”
Gray rests his hand on my shoulder, and I want to shake him off. Push him away.
“What can I do?”
“You can go,” I reply sternly and pull the covers down to glare at him. “That’s literally all I want. I don’t want to hurt you, but I don’t want you here right now, Grayson.”
“Okay.” He holds up his hands in surrender before leaning over to press his lips to my forehead. “Okay. I’ll go. But please call me if you change your mind.”
I just nod and turn away from him. When the door closes behind him, the tears come again. I don’t want to admit to Gray that I’m a complete failure at the biggest opportunity of my life. How freaking embarrassing. How humiliating.
I just can’t do it today.
I unearth myself long enough to grab the box of tissues from my nightstand and wipe my face. But then my door opens once more.
“Please don’t make me hurt your feelings,” I say, but when I look over, it’s Livie in the doorway. “You’re not Gray.”
“Nope.”
She strips down to her bra and panties and slips into the bed with me, under the covers, the way we’ve always done when life is shitty and we need to escape.
“How did you know?” I whisper.
“Gray called me. He said you needed someone, but he wasn’t that someone today.”
That brings more tears.
“God, I really love that guy,” I say and swipe at the tears on my face.
“I think I fell a little in love with him, too.” Liv pulls me close and sighs. “She didn’t like it?”
“Not even a little. There were threats and a whole bunch of other bad things, and I don’t know for sure how I’m going to make it right. So, for now, I’m hiding.”
“Well, first of all, she’s dumb.” Liv brushes some wet hair that got loose off my face. “I saw the pictures. That was a stunning design, and if she doesn’t like it, it’s because there’s something wrong with her , not you.”
“Doesn’t matter. The client is always right.”
“Oh, bullshit. Sometimes, people are assholes.”
“You get very sweary when you’re mad. Just like your dad.”
“Hell, yes, I do. Also, when Gray called and told me to get over here, he asked what he could do, and I told him to send pizza and ice cream.”
My eyes widen with hope.
“So, that should be here soon. But he’s not coming back tonight. I told him I’d handle it. You do need to call him tomorrow, though.”
“I will. I’m just so embarrassed. I don’t want to admit to him that I fucked it all up, you know? We’re still in the impress-each-other phase.”
“Honey, based on the concern and care I witnessed today, I’d say you’re far past that stage. He doesn’t give a shit about anything except making sure you’re safe and okay. Which is really, really sexy, by the way.”
“Yeah.” I sigh and close my eyes. “He’s one of the good guys. But I’m glad you’re here. How long can you hang? Long enough to eat pizza and ice cream?”
“I’m here for the night,” she declares, startling me.
“But what about Vaughn?”
“He’s in Vancouver,” she reminds me. “Besides, even if he were home, he’d be fine. He cares about you.”
“He’s one of the good guys, too.” I sniff when my eyes fill with tears again. “Thank you.”
“This is who we are, Stel. You don’t ever have to thank me for it.”