Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Blair
After my morning yoga, I walked into Brewed Awakening a few minutes earlier than my scheduled meeting. Other than Kaia, Rylee was the sweetest person I knew, and I always gave her a good tip when I went in for coffee.
I was meeting Cara and Drea to discuss the book signing.
I still couldn’t believe I’d agreed to work with her.
Things hadn’t started off the best, but after the last time I saw her, I would be lying if I said I didn’t go home and do inappropriate things.
Her smooth caramel skin, mixed with that accent, should’ve been illegal.
I hated the woman, but the things she did to my—
“Blair?” A familiar sweet voice cut through my dirty thoughts, and I whipped around to see Kaia smiling at me.
“Oh… Hey, Kaia. How are you?” My heart was pounding so loud, and I was thankful she couldn’t read my thoughts.
“I’m good. Just getting some coffee before heading to work. Are you waiting for Drea?”
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, in a few minutes, actually. I don’t know how you put up with her, Kaia. You are too good for that woman!”
She pushed some hair behind her ear and shrugged. “She’s not so bad. I love the store, and she’s actually a really good person once you get to know her. You should give her a chance.”
I laughed without thought and then my face heated. “I’m sorry. That was very rude of me. I’ll just have to take your word for it.”
She sighed. “Well, I better get going, I’m opening today. Have a good meeting, and try to be a little patient with her. She really does have a good heart.” She waved goodbye and floated out the door.
She has a good heart? I’d pay good money to see that.
Shortly after my conversation with Kaia, Drea and Cara showed up and ordered their drinks.
I ordered a salad and my usual—a chai tea latte—as did Drea, and I wondered if I might have to find a new favorite drink. I couldn’t stand the thought of thinking about Drea every time I ordered it. Cara ordered a salad with a shaken espresso.
“Good morning, doll. Glad you could make it.” I hugged Cara and gave Drea a quick glance before sitting down at our table. I had chosen a table in the back of the coffee shop so we could have a little privacy.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I said through a fake smile. That was a lie, and we both knew it. I had spent the entire car ride over thinking of possible excuses to get out of it, but none of them were good enough to work.
Having your best friend as your publisher was a blessing and a curse sometimes. She knew everything about me, so unless I was really sick or dead, there was no way out of this meeting.
She only sighed in response. She’d put herself in this position by forcing us to work together, but I felt bad about adding more stress to her life. I had to make a mental note to try a little harder at tolerating Drea, at least in front of Cara.
“I’ll start today,” Drea demanded after I sat down.
It’s okay, I don’t need to get settled in or anything. Let’s just get right to it!
Cara nodded. “Of course, Drea.”
“I was thinking of setting up the display and getting our website aligned with the signing two weeks before the event. Do you have a specific vision in mind?” It seemed like it was a chore for her to smile or even look at me, and I couldn’t say I didn’t have the same difficulty.
“The only thing I would like to see are violets, seeing as how the book is titled The Last of the Violet Thorn,” I replied, trying to not remind her of the horrendous rose incident that happened during my first book signing.
“Noted. Cara, you’re up.” Drea was all too quick to avert her gaze to anything besides me. I wondered if she regretted her slip up of politeness in her office. I knew I regretted how my body reacted. I really needed to get out more.
“Thank you, Drea. We need to settle on vendors for the flowers you want, Blair, as well as a bakery. I’ll let you two handle that, and you can let me know what you’ve decided. Sound good?”
We nodded our heads in a silent agreement, as I was desperately trying not to roll my eyes at the thought of working alone with Drea again.
“Before I forget, Blair, we have that book festival coming up in a few weeks.”
I lit up, nodding enthusiastically. Finally, something I actually wanted to discuss. “Yes, I remember. I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Good. And Drea, I want you to go as well.”
Our heads snapped to Cara. and I almost choked on my drink. “What? Cara, I don’t think that’s necessary,” I protested. There was no way we would survive a weekend together without murdering each other.
“I agree. That’s sort of an author thing. I think I should sit this one out.”
Cara sighed. “Must you two make everything so difficult? Drea, it’s a literary thing, and you own a bookstore last I checked.
” Cara grinned as if she thought she was so funny.
This situation was anything but funny. “There will be hundreds of readers and authors there. It’ll be good publicity for the store. It can’t hurt to go.”
I begged to differ on that point, but kept my mouth shut anyway.
“Listen, I appreciate the thought, but I have a store to run. I can’t just leave for a few days.”
Cara glared at Drea, and it pleased me more than it should’ve. “Kaia is more than capable of handling things for two days.
Drea was quiet for a long moment before she nodded and sighed, causing dread to fill my body. “Fine. If you think it’ll be beneficial.”
“Perfect! I’ll have Eloise send you all the details. It’s going to be a fun little girls weekend!” She smiled, and I groaned as she sat there, looking pretty damn pleased with herself.
Drea and I gave each other a look. Her stare was unreadable, but I knew she could see the terror building in my eyes.
I could barely stand to be in the same room with the woman for more than five minutes, but a whole weekend with Drea? That should be fun…