3. Allie
Allie
T ime to clock off.
Standing in the locker room, I stripped off my uniform and hit the showers. My shift had run smoothly. It was always a good day when there was no disaster to clean up. I let the hot water run over my head, releasing a sigh.
I wished I could stay in here longer, but Tessa had texted strict instructions for me to meet her in Ro’s office.
Shutting off the water, I grabbed a towel and dried off.
Then I pulled on my clean clothes. She wanted me to look at paint samples or something.
A decorator, I was not. My plan was just to hum and nod at any questions I was asked.
To be fair, she’d sweetened the deal by bribing me with afternoon snacks from the local bakery.
As kids, we’d been in there every week to buy honey cakes.
Pulling on some leggings, I snatched up my favorite slouchy sweater in a silvery-blue and yanked it over my head. It instantly slid off one shoulder since I’d managed to stretch it in the last wash. I ran a hand through my hair.
There. Ready . It was so easy having short hair. I wrinkled my nose. The downside was that it needed to be cut regularly to stay in style. With my tight budget these days, I knew I might need to think about growing it longer.
I grabbed my bag and checked my watch. I had thirty minutes until I needed to pick up Ollie from school. Perusing paint colors better not take too long.
I headed up to the offices. I knew Sierra would be there, along with Jazz and Piper. Striding down the hallway, I caught a hint of scent in the air and my steps slowed.
Caden . I knew his cologne anywhere. It was dark and spicy, and made me think of dark nights and dirty fantasies.
I drew in a lungful. He must’ve recently passed this way.
Then I stiffened. God, I was pathetic . Sniffing a man’s cologne like a junkie. Seriously, I had no idea why the man got to me, apart from his magnificent thighs, and the confident way he carried himself, and his black eyes.
Shaking my head, I continued down the hallway. I liked conversation and cuddles and having fun when I was with a guy. I was pretty sure Caden didn’t believe in any of those things. If he did, he’d probably self-destruct.
Voices came from Ro’s office and I set my shoulders back.
I had snacks to eat and fabric swatches to pretend I liked. I was putting Caden Castro out of my mind.
As I entered, I heard Tessa’s laugh, but my gaze went straight to Ro.
The hotelier was wearing a navy-blue suit, no doubt tailored for his broad shoulders and lean hips.
He looked like he should be on the cover of GQ.
His dark hair had a touch of a curl and he had a handsome face many women drooled over.
He was smiling as he looked at Tessa like she was the rising sun.
Ugh, they were so in love.
“I was promised food.”
“Allie.” Tessa bustled over and grabbed my arm. “Just in time.”
“I can’t stay long, I need to get Ollie from school soon.”
“Of course. Come and see the samples. We have some great options.” She pulled a face. “If only we could use all of them somewhere. Piper did help me narrow down the selection.”
Ro’s desk was filled with paint chips, fabrics, tile samples, and pictures of lighting and furniture.
Tessa waved a hand at the selection. “Every opinion you give, I’ll feed you a snack.”
I snorted. “Like I’m a dog doing tricks.”
She ruffled my damp hair. “There’s a good Allie.”
With a laugh, I knocked her arm away.
“I knew that without a bribe, you’d just eat and nod, and agree with everything I say.”
Crap, sometimes it sucked when your friend knew you so well.
At the other end of the desk, Sierra laughed.
The blonde was standing there drinking tea with Jazz.
Sierra was the Outdoors Events Coordinator.
She’d moved here a few years back from California.
I’d liked her as soon as we’d met—despite her fondness for early morning exercise.
She was tiny, barely five feet, and her blonde hair was in a perky ponytail.
Jazz was Tessa’s right-hand woman. She was a curvy Afro-Latina, with gorgeous curls I envied, and was happily married to her hubby Hector.
“Well, I at least need a coffee first,” I said.
Soon, I was sipping a cappuccino and trying not to let my eyes glaze over. I loved my best friend, but this is not my area of expertise.
Sierra, Piper, and Jazz were all oohing and ahhing over everything. Ro was on his cellphone taking a call. Smart man.
“Allie, what do you think of these colors for in the restaurant?” Tessa held up two squares of blue.
Crap . I tapped a finger against my lips. “Well, the one on the right is blue. And the one on the left is…blue.”
Tessa rolled her eyes. “They’re Cerulean Sky and Windy Morning.”
Was naming paint colors ridiculous names an actual job? “I like the one on the left.”
“Me too.” My friend shoved a pastry at me.
I happily took a bite. Sugary goodness hit my taste buds.
Okay, so I was sleep deprived, sex deprived, and needed to collect Ollie shortly, and maybe buy some vegetables, then attempt to make a healthy dinner for the two of us, but right now, while eating this pastry, life was glorious. I took another bite.
“Tessa, these chairs will be perfect .” Sierra tapped a finger at a photo on the desk. Jazz leaned over and nodded.
“I really like them too,” Piper said.
I craned my neck. They looked like comfy chairs. “They get my vote. They’ll—” Movement in the doorway caught my attention. My belly tightened.
I’d recognize that silhouette anywhere.
Caden, in his usual, dark suit along with his usual scowl stood there, scanning the room.
My stupid pulse picked up, and when his dark eyes flicked my way, it did a crazy jump.
Stop it, stupid pulse.
“Caden.” Ro had finished his call and was sliding his phone away. “Come and look at paint samples.”
I saw a muscle tick beside Caden’s eye, and a laugh escaped me.
Those ink-black eyes focused on me.
“If Ro had asked you to come and look at some grenades, I think you’d look happier.”
He walked toward me, and I smelled his spicy cologne. My inner hussy released a whimper.
Jeez . I ignored her.
“This…isn’t my area of expertise,” Caden said.
“Mine either, Broody.” I held up a pastry. “But there’s food. So for a few minutes, pretend you’re human and decide which shade of blue you like best.”