Chapter Ten
“Luca, we were having a minor difference of opinion,”
Reid says, stepping back. “Nothing to be worried about.”
“Oh, that was more than minor.”
The king of Ralavia, and more importantly my bestie’s husband, shakes his head. “Is there a place we can go to talk?”
“Maybe you should talk to me first.”
For some reason Reid seems nervous about letting Luca talk to me.
“I can handle myself,”
I assure him even when my gut is in turmoil. Maybe it’s for the best. Maybe a clean break is better. Not that we’ll call it a break. We’ll get busy in our lives, and time and distance will do their work on our friendship.
“I said some things I shouldn’t have.”
Reid moves to my side. As though if I’m being called into the principal’s office, he’ll go along for the ride.
“Yes, we’ve had a lot of that tonight,”
Jeremiah agrees. He looks to Luca. “Your Majesty, they have serious problems with sexual tension. I know. It’s weird because grumpy and even grumpier shouldn’t, like, go together, but here we are.”
Reid frowns at his brother. “You do not have to help.”
Jeremiah’s voice goes low. “Well, if I didn’t, she might have taken your balls, brother.”
Luca’s gaze goes between me and Reid, and then his lips curl up the slightest bit and he loses some of his obvious irritation. “Which one is grumpier?”
Jeremiah takes a long breath as though realizing the danger passed. “I think it depends on the day. They pass the crown between the two of them.”
“We are not attract…” I begin.
“Really?”
Reid shrugs. “I mean we can at least be honest about that part. I find you very attractive.”
And he has a fiancée. Such a lucky woman. “And I find you annoying.”
“Yes, your office will do.”
Luca’s back to being irritated, and now it’s all turned my way because I don’t have a charming wingman who softens me. Nope. I’m alone and I’m going to be more alone soon when I don’t even have this project to work on.
Reid nods and steps into the hallway. “Fine, but you should understand she’s not the only one who said things she shouldn’t. It was mutual. Mutual… I don’t know… Should we call it hate? That seems a bit dramatic.”
“Hate works for me.”
I can’t stop. Now that I’m walking into my worst nightmare, there’s a part of me that wants to get it over with. I’ve been moving toward this ever since Ivy came back and found her guy. I knew Anika would find her Prince Charming, but I guess I always thought Ivy and I would end up as bog crones somewhere cursing men who wander into our territory.
Now I’ll have to do it alone, and that sucks.
I should have done what I was taught to do—put all of my complaints in a well-worded email. But no, I had to rush right over, and I totally forgot I’d actually been invited to this party. I hadn’t even thought about the fact that Ani would be here.
She’d even texted me yesterday to let me know she and Luca were in town and would see me on Saturday since I was skipping this party.
Did I rush over here because subconsciously I want her to pick me? To prove to me that I’m more important than some country she’s trying to pull out of tragedy?
I suck.
Luca closes the door to Reid’s sleek office, shutting the Dorsey brothers out of their own space. He does it without a blink and then walks to the big floor-to-ceiling windows like he owns the place.
It’s good to be king.
“Has he done something he shouldn’t?”
Luca asks.
He takes me off guard. But the answer is obviously yes. “He wants to take out a wall, Luca. A whole wall. Not take it out, exactly, but take this beautifully crafted architecture and turn it into a houseplant.”
“Harper, has he harassed you?”
Luca carefully enunciates each word as though he needs to ensure he’s got the English right. His first language is German, though he speaks with only a hint of an accent.
I stare for a moment, the lights of the city illuminating this man my best friend married. I thought he was going to fire me. He’s worried about me? This is the perfect opportunity to take out my enemy. I can’t help it. There’s a ruthless asshole inside me. I think about it for half a second and then do what I always do, what I hope I will always do, shove the asshole down and do what’s right. “No. He’s hit on me, but I’m going to admit that was a mutual thing.”
A long sigh of relief goes through Luca. “Thank you. I was worried. I’ve never heard him talk to a woman that way. I brought him on this project because he’s always been so easy to work with.”
I hadn’t. “Well, rest assured he hasn’t done anything I would call harassment. I kind of came on strong tonight. He was giving me back what I put out. But I stand by my criticism. He is going to ruin the history of the house and turn it into some bland, resort-looking thing.”
“He’s going to turn it into a property someone has already paid eighty-two million dollars for,”
Luca admits.
I feel my jaw drop. “What? I thought it wasn’t going on the market until the show was done. It’s kind of the point of the show. We’re supposed to rehab the place and then hope we can sell it.”
“And if I’ve learned anything in my time working in reality television, it is that reality is a word we play with,”
Luca admits. “Banover Place has already been sold. At least in theory, though Anika trusts the buyer. This is the show that will hopefully fund the rest of our company. We’re new. We don’t have the capital to buy the building, pay for everything, and hope we can get the price we need. So this is how we’re working.”
My gut sinks. “And Reid is working with the buyer, isn’t he?”
Luca nods. “Not on everything. Just on the basics of design. We want it to be a surprise. The buyer won’t be visiting, but they will be making decisions on certain aspects of the design.”
“Then I’m not needed, am I? I was supposed to come in because preservation is my specialty.”
I’m not sure why I’m here if they’re going to gut the place and turn it into…well, this. The apartment I’m standing in is gorgeous by modern standards, but there’s such beauty in the past, too. Do we have to change everything?
“Harper, do you have to have everything your way in order to work on this project?”
Luca asks the question with a surprising lack of judgment. “This is likely my fault. I told Anika I wanted to film your real reactions and negotiations. Perhaps we should have brought you in on the entire process.”
But that isn’t how a contractor works. The truth is I’m here to work with the designers. I’m not supposed to argue whether the design is good, only to tell them if it can work and how much time and money it will take to see the thing through. I feel guilty because I’m turning this into something it’s not about. Me. “I’m sorry. Banover Place is special to me, and I might be doing exactly what Reid accused me of. I’m trying to control something that isn’t mine to control. If this was any other job, I would simply tell you whether I can make it happen. I certainly don’t argue with the dude who owns the big box store about where to put his aisles.”
“It’s special to Anika, too,”
Luca replies softly. “This isn’t some retail store. We’re talking about a home. We’re talking about history. Do you think it’s not important to me? I fell in love with Anika in that house. I want it to shine. But I have to balance what I want with what the person paying us millions wants as well. We believe after all is said and done and we sell the house and the show, we could bring in over a hundred million. Do you know how many homes can be fixed in my country for that money? We can attract some contractors and get real work done. We’re a small country. We don’t have the professionals needed to deal with the overwhelming destruction we suffered. We still have people living in tents.”
Tears well. Yep. I suck. “I think it might be best if you got someone else.”
“And break my wife’s heart?”
He’s right back to looking like a king. “Do you think she doesn’t feel the distance? She’s living in a foreign country, away from the women she views as sisters. She’s been looking forward to this for a long time. She’s worried you’ll drift apart, and working on this with you is one of her ways of keeping the connection.”
“But I don’t know that working with Reid is going to be a good thing for the project in the long run, and I am starting to suspect whoever bought the place wants him on board.”
He gives me a curt nod before leaning forward, placing his hands on the desk and staring at me like I suspect he would stare at one of the members of his cabinet who upset him. “Reid isn’t going anywhere. He’s doing the job we need him to do.”
“Then I understand.”
“No, you don’t. You’re not going anywhere either. Do you remember that contract I had you sign? The one you were so sure you didn’t need to read? Because you thought Anika had control. She did not. I did.”
Oh, I’m not sure I like this side of Luca. Except I kind of do. He’s always a gentleman. Like I’ve watched the man pick Ani up so her feet don’t get wet when it rains. I kind of thought he was a little soft. I worried he wouldn’t protect her if he had to choose between his office and his wife. I’m starting to understand the man won’t allow anything or anyone to harm Ani.
Even the woman she sees as a sister.
“What’s in my contract, Your Majesty?”
“A clause. It’s the fine print. I knew Ani wouldn’t read it either. She was only concerned about you getting a good salary and promised screen time,”
Luca admits. “I believe she would tell me contracts are boring. They don’t even have murders in them, so she won’t read them. In this case my wife’s need for interesting reading means she missed the part where you have to buy your way out of the contract.”
My jaw nearly hits the floor. “What?”
“Yes, we’ve already bought the supplies you requested. You filled out all the forms for tools and equipment you’ll need, and we even designed a room for you when you’re not filming. I kept all the receipts. Would you like to know how much?”
Oh, I know. Thousands and thousands. He’s an evil shit. I kind of like him. He’s forgotten one thing though. “I can just go to Anika.”
“Ah, you could,”
he allows. “But honestly, the contract is there so you can have a decent excuse for staying. I rather thought you and Reid would spark off each other. I worried when we began that you would have some dramatic chemistry. Good for a dating show. Perhaps not so good for a show about home renovations.”
He’s making my point. “Which is why you should let Reid bring in his own contractor.”
“Reid’s contractor isn’t my wife’s best friend,”
Luca argues. “You were right about one thing. This isn’t merely about you, Harper. Are you willing to let this chance go? I’m not talking about working on Banover Place. I’m talking about working with your friend. When she got stuck in Banover Place while filming our show and production wouldn’t allow anyone in to see her, what did you do?”
He knows exactly what I did. “I lied my way into a job that gave me access to Banover Place and therefore to Anika. I made sure she was okay and was there when it all went to hell.”
When Luca cut Ani from the show and sent her away. At the time we didn’t know he was doing it for the right reasons. Ani thought he dumped her.
“Yes, and I was happy you were there,”
Luca admits. “So is the woman who did all of that for her friend going to walk away from helping her through her first big production because her feelings are hurt? Because she doesn’t like how a coworker makes her feel? If you truly don’t want to work on this project because you don’t like the direction it’s going in, I’ll release you. I don’t want you miserable. But if you’re leaving so you don’t have to deal with Reid, I’m going to ask you to reconsider.”
I’m back to not liking this side of the man. But he’s right about a couple of things. I’m letting Reid Dorsey run me off a project I’m passionate about. I understand the financial implications of the job, and I can handle compromising on some of it. “The foyer is the most Gilded Age specific room in the house along with the front sitting area.”
A brow rises over his aristocratic eyes. “Are we negotiating?”
“Yes.”
His lips curl up in a smile. “There’s the woman my wife loves. The one I admire. Fine, then. Let’s negotiate. I think I can convince the buyer to allow you to keep many aspects of the original home. I want a list of your recommendations. But you should know Reid will likely fight you on it.”
I want to say the idea disgusts me, but the truth of the matter is fighting with Reid actually sounds like fun. In an “I hate him and want to best his arrogant ass”
way. Not in a “this is going to lead to righteously nasty, shameful and invigorating sex”
way. Because it’s not. “Bring it on.”
“As long as you don’t bring Anika into the middle,”
Luca advises. “I need you to understand I want her to enjoy this. To do her job, but I don’t want her in the middle of some war between the two of you.”
“It won’t only be the two of us, will it? He’s got a brother. I assure you Jeremiah will stand with him.”
“Did you not hear? We have a new executive producer. Ivy decided she doesn’t enjoy being left out.”
Luca gestures to the door. “She and Heath are enjoying an excellent roast right now. You are only hurting yourself with this isolation. I’m asking you not to push your family away because Reid Dorsey hurt your feelings.”
I went through this with my mother days ago and yet Luca’s request hits so much more softly. Jeremiah’s words have haunted me for days. This is my family. Ivy and Ani and now Heath and Luca. They support and love me. I do owe these people. “All right. I won’t let Reid take anything else from me. He did kind of take my dignity, but I can get that back.”
Luca chuckles. “If it helps in any way, he’s not engaged to Britta anymore. It was a mistake he made when he was young, and he’s had trouble correcting it. I sometimes worry that woman is holding something over his head.”
I ignore that part. The other thing he said is much more important. Ivy is here? “So you’re telling me I can drag Ivy into what will likely be my multitudinous battles with Reid? And it doesn’t matter. I’m not getting involved with him, but it is good to know he wasn’t cheating, and I will apologize for the remark.”
“Drag Ivy in as much as you like. She’ll enjoy the fight. Simply keep Ani out of it. She’ll be torn, and she has other things to worry about. This project is everything to her,”
Luca says softly.
“I’ll talk to him,”
I promise. “We’ll find a way to make this work. And honestly, even a show about renovations can use some drama. At least I think it can.”
Before he can answer there’s a knock on the door and then Anika is walking in, followed by Ivy. My besties are dressed in cocktail gowns, looking all gorgeous and glowy.
“I heard you were here.”
Anika’s expression goes tight as she looks from me to Luca. “Is everything okay?”
This is why Luca brought me in here. She’s already nervous, already anxious about the project. She’s gone through so much change in a short time. I’m not going to make this harder for her. She could easily have found someone with more experience. If my friend wants me here, I’m going to do the best job I can. I’m going to enjoy being here for her first big project.
Isn’t this what we asked for when we sat in Banover Place? To be together while we built something for ourselves? I’m not sure I’m really building anything, but I can get into togetherness.
Damn. I am not going to cry. I notice Reid and Jeremiah hovering outside the door. Reid stares in like he’s surprised I’m still here.
“No problem at all. I came by because I realized I didn’t have to work as late as I thought.”
There’s no time like the present to start this war of ours. “Reid protested my clothing.”
He snorts and then sighs as though he knows this is inevitable. “Sure. Well, Harper, the invitation clearly stated no steel-toed boots.”
I give my besties a shrug. “I came straight from a site. I had to go out to Jersey and check on the new build because I’m pretty sure my cousin is trying to see if sabotage can help his case. I thought I would miss…”
I have no idea what is being served for dinner except what I picked up from Luca. I have no idea what kind of roast they’re enjoying. “…all the meat. You know how much I love meat. So I didn’t stop to change, and I offended Reid with my impoverished state of dress. His words, not mine.”
Reid groans. “Yes, I called you impoverished. I now know that I must accept all forms of dress so I’m not an elitist douchebag. Can we have dinner now?”
“You can be fussy about clothes,”
Jeremiah begins.
His brother sends him a look that has him backing down.
“We’re sure everything’s okay?”
Anika looks from me to Luca like she senses something went down.
I give her my brightest smile and walk right up to Reid, threading my arm through his. Like we don’t hate each other. Like we can totally get along and not dream at night of killing the other. Like those dreams don’t include other things that I will never admit, maybe even to myself. “We’re good. We have some differing opinions, but that’s the nature of collaboration.”
I look up at Reid, who hasn’t tried to move away from me. His arm tightens around mine. “Thanks for the invite, coworker.”
“You’re welcome,”
he says as everyone starts to move out of the office, “pain in my ass.”
I let him lead me out.
The name fits, so I don’t argue with him. I’m about to be a massive pain in his ass, and I feel pretty good about it.