Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Kendall
After our champagne and toast, the girls and I unpacked almost all the supplies and organized them. They left a few minutes ago, and I only have one more box left.
My mind wanders to Dane again because I can’t seem to help myself.
I wonder where he will take me for dinner.
Interrupted by the doorbell, the camera reveals that it’s the furniture delivery.
I practically jump for joy, running to the door.
The delivery guy brings in all the boxes and furniture.
The excitement is radiating from me as I clap my hands and rub the plush, dark grey fabric of the new couch that will be placed in the lounge, where customers can gather after receiving their services.
Once he leaves, I close the door, take a seat on the couch, wiggle my bottom, lean back, and say, “This is comfortable.” Trying another position, I flip off my shoes and lie down on it. Oh yes, this thing is comfortable.
Popping up off the couch, I need to call Jane and see if her grandson can come sometime tomorrow, or at least within the next couple of days.
After searching for my phone and finding it on the shelf near the supplies, I call her.
“Hello.”
“Hi Jane, it’s Kendall. How are you?”
“I’m doing well, my dear, just having dinner with my grandson. Is everything okay?”
“Oh, yes, it is. But that’s perfect, Jane. My furniture was delivered a few minutes ago, and I was hoping your grandson had some time tomorrow to help move things.”
“Absolutely, what time works best for you?”
“First thing in the morning, probably seven? I’ll already be here, just send him along. I really appreciate this, thank you, Jane.”
“Have a good night, and I’ll see you soon.”
“You too.”
Just as I hang up the phone, the doorbell rings. A quick peek at the camera—it’s Blake.
“Hey, you don’t have your key?”
Blake shakes his head. “I do, but I didn’t want to just barge in.”
“Well, I can appreciate that. Thank you.”
He looks freshly showered, and does he have hair gel in his hair? I gave him a thank-you basket last week with his final payment, which included a special hair gel as a gift. Not the stuff that makes your hair all stiff, but it gives his hair a softer look. I like it.
“You’ve been such a great customer. Let me take you to dinner. No arguments this time. Right now.”
“That’s kind of last-minute.”
“Well, you’ve been working so hard and never taking a break for yourself. So, for tonight, you can have dinner with me.”
He is not wrong. I’ve been working a lot and not taking time for myself. Isn’t that ironic? Since I’m opening up a spa for self-care and self-love, I should practice what I preach. I’ve said no to him a few times, so I feel obligated to say yes. I was about to finish up and head home for the night.
“You look ready, and I look like I just mopped up off the floor.”
“You always look beautiful.”
I feel my cheeks getting a little red. “Thank you. Okay, but I can’t stay out too long. I need to rest tonight. Let me see if I have a change of clothes in the office.”
Blake stays rooted in place as I walk down the hall to my office. I check the back of my door and, as I suspected, I have a sundress hanging up.
I yell to him, “I’ll be out in a couple of minutes.”
“Okay.” But he continues talking, “I can’t wait for the grand opening.”
As I get dressed, I think about how great the opening will be. Blake's attendance at the grand opening is part of the community support I’ve added to the event. We have selected ten local businesses to showcase during the event. It will be an event people won’t want to miss.
I stroll out of my office in an emerald green sundress and silver flip-flops. My hair still looks great even though I worked all day.
“I’m excited for you to be there. The spa is a superior project to showcase. Hopefully, your schedule will fill up from the showcase.”
“Wow! You clean up nicely. That would be great for business. I appreciate you thinking that through; it’s a great idea. So, want me to drive?”
“Why don’t we take separate cars, then I can drive straight home after dinner. It’s been a long week, and I have a lot more to do this weekend.”
“Okay, I'll meet you at the restaurant.”
“Did we decide?”
“On the Waterfront work for you?”
“Yes, love it there.”
Double-checking that all the lights are shut off and doors are locked, I finally feel ready to walk away for the night. We walk to our cars and head to the restaurant. I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep, but thankful for some dinner first.
The restaurant is just a few minutes away, and there’s plenty of parking available. I slip into a spot and walk into the restaurant.
Blake is already there to greet me as I walk in.
The hostess asks us if we have reservations, and of course, he had called earlier to make reservations.
She guides us through the front of the restaurant, where people are dining inside.
Her shoes are clicking on the hardwood floors as we enter the covered deck area overlooking the lake.
We have premier seating tucked in the corner with a beautiful view.
We sit down, menus handed to us, and we give our drink order.
“A great way to celebrate—dinner with a view. It’s nice to be out and have adult time.”
“You’re a great dad and deserve some adult time.”
“We are here to celebrate you and all your accomplishments. This was a rewarding project to work on. The grand opening will be a success. You had a vision.” He raises his water glass to me and then takes a few gulps.
“You were the one who brought all my visions to life on this project. I’ll give you glowing recommendations to everyone I know.”
Blake leans back in his chair, looking out at the water, and says, “Looking forward to your referrals. Oh, actually, my next project is at your friend's house, Lane.”
“She hired you. Why hasn’t she told me?” I strum my fingers on the table, trying to remember if she told me, but I've forgotten with all the craziness of the past few weeks.
“We just finalized the kitchen renovation contract today, so maybe she was waiting until it was a done deal.”
“Lane is one of my best friends. You two will work well together. I can’t wait to see what you do with her kitchen. It needs a complete makeover that she has been talking about for a couple of years now.”
“That’s what she was telling me. It’ll be a fun project. She has it all sketched out, so I’m working with her to finalize the design. I’m sure she’ll share it with you.”
“I’m sure she will.”
We order our food and chat about his daughter, Olivia. Before our food is brought out, I excuse myself to use the ladies' room. As I finish up, I look in the mirror while I wash my hands. Drying them off, I leave the ladies' room and almost walk into someone.
“Oh, sorry about that…Always in a hurry.”
As I look up, my mouth drops open. Biting my bottom lip, I stare up at Dane. An intense electrical shock moves through my body as he touches my arm. I’m not even sure how it’s possible to be body-shaken to the core, but I’ve felt nothing like this in my entire life.
Why does he make me feel this way?
He steps closer to me with a smile so big it reaches his eyes.
“You have a lot going on. Are you having dinner with someone?” he asks.
“Yes…” I hesitate. “I’m here with my contractor, the one you met at the coffeehouse.”
His smile fades from his face and turns serious. What is that all about?
“Having a nice dinner?”
“I am. Blake and I are celebrating the completion of the spa. I’m waiting for a couple of things, and we will be ready for our grand opening. Oh, you’re coming, right? It’s in two weeks—soft opening Friday and then the grand opening Saturday.”
“I will absolutely be there.”
Watching his facial expression change when I mention Blake’s name, I search for answers in his eyes. He gives away nothing.
“Blake, huh?”
“Just friends. He’s my contractor.”
As he stands in front of me, staring, he steps a little closer. It’s enough for me to glance up at him. Prickles run down my back, and heat sets into my body. I want to run my fingers over his beard and down his neck.
When I think he might kiss me, he leans down to my ear. I feel his breath on my neck as he says, “I’ll see you Sunday.” And kisses right under my ear. The moment he lifts his mouth off of me, my hand rushes to my neck, savoring it, as heat pulses through me.
He turns on his heel and walks back to the dining area. Leaving me wondering what the hell just happened?