Chapter Six
Running with the Bulls
Rachel couldn’t get enough distance between her and the conference room.
Of all the crappy things to have happened in that meeting, having Cal—sorry, Alaric—walk in attained a height of horror even she couldn’t have foreseen.
Thankfully, Seth hadn’t waited for her. After shaking hands with the Fitzgeralds, he’d given her a quick tilt of his head and walked away.
Back in her office, Rachel dumped her notes and fell into her chair.
Now that the shock and anger of seeing Cal was waning, panic was filling its space.
How could she work with this obnoxious guy?
There was clearly tension between him and his parents.
His parents who were her clients. The clients who expected her to dig into every nook and cranny of White Hall Estate and make intelligent business recommendations to them.
The business run by their egotistical, condescending son.
Glancing down at her notes, she saw where she’d written ‘potential issue with son’ on her paper, complete with a big circle around it.
Even before she knew their son was Cal, there was a high probability of problems. Knowing it was Cal seemed to move that into the certainty column.
This project was her chance to show Seth what she could do.
She needed to shine on this assignment while Cal seemed like he’d be hell bent on derailing her.
Closing her eyes with a sigh, she rested her head back on the chair.
“Well, that doesn’t look good,” she heard. As she opened her eyes, she spied Lisa leaning against the doorjamb.
“This is a nightmare,” Rachel replied.
Lisa searched her eyes before scowling. “Damn,” she checked her watch. “I only came here to poke at you about the super attractive guy I saw join your meeting, but it’s clear you’re serious. Actually, if you of all people say it’s a nightmare, it’s most assuredly true.
“I have to be at this meeting now.” Lisa glanced down the hall. “It will probably last a bit, and then I have an appointment off-site, but I’ll swing back before then and you can tell me what’s up.”
“Thanks Lisa,” Rachel replied. “But no need. I’ll be fine.”
Lisa looked her over again with a critical eye. “No. You won’t. But let’s compromise. Dinner tonight at my house. You can help me pull Lottie away from her latest wedding gown project.”
The corners of Rachel’s mouth turned up.
A night with Lisa and Lottie did sound like fun, but still she hesitated.
She wasn’t one to have a venting session with friends.
Usually it was friends talking to her. She was a superb listener.
Although she couldn’t deny her heart ached to confide in someone about this.
“I’m making burgers on the grill,” Lisa sang. “And my sneaky sangria with s’mores for dessert.”
Rachel laughed. “You had me at dinner with you and Lottie.” Lisa looked unconvinced so Rachel conceded, “Okay. Your burgers, sangria, and s’mores did sweeten the pot a bit.”
“I knew it,” Lisa pushed off the door. “I have to go. How does six tonight work?”
“Perfect.”
“I’ll text Lottie and let her know you’re coming. See you then.”
Lisa walked off, leaving Rachel staring at her desk.
At least she had dinner tonight to look forward to.
Maybe the best thing to do was put the entire Cal issue on the back burner for now and just throw herself into the work.
Avoidance was not an excellent answer, but at the very least it would help her get through the day.
◆◆◆
In the end, it got her through the day. Well, that and copious amounts of coffee.
She was dying to dive into some chocolate and stress eat, but the reward of dinner and dessert tonight kept her from indulging.
Mercifully, Pie in the Sky was closed when she drove past. If it had been open, there would have been some stress buying.
Arriving at Lisa’s, she headed behind the house to the deck, knowing her friend would already be outside enjoying the evening.
Lisa and Lottie had lived together for years.
When she’d first met Lisa at work, she’d been a little surprised that the two college roommates were renting a house.
She thought it would be an apartment or a condo like herself.
But after getting to know the pair, she realized the house suited them perfectly.
Lisa got her gardens and deck; Lottie, on the other hand, had a workshop space for her wedding dress business.
Rescue, she reminded herself. Lottie rescued wedding gowns.
It was what had brought them all together.
Walking up the steps, Lisa was sitting at the table, two glasses of sangria already poured and waiting.
Seeing Rachel’s smile, Lisa shrugged. “I heard you drive up, so I thought I’d save us some time.”
“You are a mind reader, Lisa.”
“Well, it seemed like you had a rough morning that probably didn’t improve that much as the day wore on.”
“You’re right. It was a hell of a beginning to the day. Well, except for the blondie. That was perfect. It went downhill after that. But I survived it. Now just to survive this new project.”
“Wait. Let me yell up at Lottie. I already gave her the warning you were arriving. I know she’ll pull herself away from her project to hear this.”
Lisa went inside, and Rachel took an appreciative sip of the sangria.
Luckily, her condo was on the way here, so she’d been able to stop and change into shorts and a T-shirt.
It was a warm night, but the trees near the edge of the yard shielded the deck from the sun.
Although a few hours before sunset, the sun still packed a punch.
Fortunately, there was also a pleasant light breeze that kept the air moving.
Lisa returned carrying a platter in hand with her roommate in tow. Lottie placed a bunch of fabric and a small sewing kit on the table as Rachel stood to give her a big hug. Stepping back, she surveyed the project and looked into Lottie’s bright blue eyes. “Dare I ask?”
“Sorry,” she replied, looking sheepish. “My client is coming for a fitting this weekend and I’ve got to get this lace attached.”
Rachel cast a glance at Lisa. “So not one hundred percent successful in diverting her from her current project.”
Lisa laughed. “We take the wins where we can. Even partials.”
Lottie scowled at her roommate. “Stop it! I thought we were here to find out what was going on with Rachel. The day I can’t listen and sew is the day I hang up my needle and thread.”
Rachel placed her hand on Lottie’s arm. “All kidding aside, it’s fantastic to see Second Chance Bridal is going well.”
“Thanks Rachel,” she replied, her face lighting up in a huge grin.
Her own life may be going down the toilet, but Rachel took comfort in the fact her friend was blossoming as a businesswoman and an artist. Lottie’s wedding gown creations were so beautiful, it was gratifying to see them being shared with the world now.
As they settled into their seats, Lottie continued. “Business is good. Slow, but that’s as it should be.”
“Well, you certainly haven’t slowed down your shopping,” Lisa joked.
“No,” Lottie laughed in return. “That I haven’t. Although,” she shot Lisa a glare. “Several new dresses were donations. So not all of them are because of my shopping.
“I’ve acquired a few formal gowns here and there,” she explained to Rachel.
“Not wedding gowns, although these days, people wear what they want for a wedding. I just came across a few genuinely stunning pieces, I couldn’t say no to.
I mean, who says no to a really magnificent dress?
They’d be great for any formal occasion. ”
“As long as they can fit into your workroom,” Lisa said. “Besides, you’ve already sold some bridal gowns, and it looks like a few more will find promising homes soon.”
“That’s fantastic, Lottie. What is it you’re working on now?” Rachel asked.
“This client is looking for a way to incorporate something Swedish into her wedding gown. She’s the woman I met at Alex’s wedding. Do you remember?”
“Ugh,” Rachel replied. “Don’t remind me of that night. I’m already reliving it.” It seemed like her edit filter was broken this evening. And she hadn’t even had more than two or three sips of the sangria.
“Okay, then,” Lisa said. “We’re diving on in. I like it. The direct route.” Uncovering the platter she’d brought from the kitchen, she pushed it toward the center of the table. “I made some white bean dip with pita and veggies. So, food. Check. Drinks. Check. Friends. Check.
“Okay, Rachel. Lay it on us.” Lisa grabbed a cherry tomato and some dip before popping it in her mouth.
Rachel smiled. “Well, I guess it all started at Alex’s wedding and my run in with Cal.”
“Cal?” Lottie asked. Clearly trying to remember who that was.
“The owner who I quarreled with about the wedding meal,” Rachel provided.
“Oh, yeah. Him.”
“Someone had too much champagne that night,” Lisa muttered.
Lottie pouted. “Did not.”
Were there two better people on the planet? Rachel didn’t think so. Their easy manner and strong friendship made Rachel feel better, even if she didn’t know why.
“Anyway,” Rachel interjected before they could start full-on bickering. “Allow me to explain how my day started.” Rachel filled in her friends on the last minute assignment and the surprise appearance of Cal, aka Alaric. By the time she finished, her stress level was skyrocketing again.
“How am I ever going to work with him? I have to meet with him, like this week.” She dropped her head into her hands.
“And the whole time I’m dealing with him, I have to impress our new clients so they give us more business, which will prove to my boss that I’m qualified and can handle larger accounts. ”
“I knew we should have kneecapped him,” Lottie said at the exact moment Lisa blurted, “Good thing I made lots of sangria.”