Page 18 of Hidden Hearts

My pen flies over the page as I scribble down each room then look up at him expectantly, waiting for more details.

"That's all," he says.

"Now, I know why you needed me. Do you have any preferences? Mac or Windows? Do you want your desk to have a lot of drawers for storage or do you prefer a simpler design, no clutter?" As I throw out these questions, Dominic shrugs his shoulders noncommittally.

"I don't really care. As long as it functions, it works for me."

Trying a different tack, I ask, "What about your home? Do you have a particular style there that you want to emulate?"

"Nope. I wouldn't say it has any specific theme."

"You're killing me, smalls!" He’s acting like a blank slate when I know he’s a man with strong views. Carte blanche sounds amazing in theory, but it also sounds too easy because I’m working with Dominic Stone.

“That’s why you’re here. I’m just the guy with the credit card. I have no opinions.”

We’ll see about that…

After pulling up my Pinterest board of inspiration, we started walking through all of the office displays. Today is more of an expedition trip, where we see what’s available and at what price before committing to any purchases. Dominic snaps pictures of items we both like for a vision board I plan on creating to help us decide what fits and what doesn't.

It’s fun browsing and dreaming of what the Stone Precision office can become. I haven’t had the opportunity to exercise this part of myself in a while, and a part of me recognizes that I owe Dominic a bit of gratitude. He didn’t have to ask me for help. He could’ve hired any number of qualified designers.

Heck, Mike probably has a list he could’ve shared. One that includes Luna Fielding, a Suitor’s Crossing legend, despite her young age, because she was the mastermind behind renovating Buttercream Dreams and Brewed into Crossing’s Cups & Cakes. The local newspaper did a whole story about her.

Yet Dominic chose me.

I’m grateful for his trust, even if I was suspicious at first.

Four hours later, Dominic and I stared at paint sample cards, trying to decide which color to paint the office walls. After catching me stashing stacks of different colors in my purse, Dominic reprimands me. "That's stealing, you know. Why do you even need that many? We're not painting the walls anything other than a neutral tone."

"I use these for different crafts. Trust me, they come in handy," I explain, stuffing more into my purse pockets. Dominic looks at me like I’m a crazy craft lady, and I guess I am.

"I need to get you out of here before you're arrested." He locks his hand around my arm and drags me away from the aisle, but not before I pluck a couple of pretty blue sample cards from the end cap. "While there'd be some pleasure in seeing your saintly self behind bars, the risks far outweigh the gains. We don't know who could be in the cell with you."

"Ruffians, thugs?" I quip. He gives me a blank look. "Tangled?"

"Never heard of it."

Unfortunately, I’m not shocked. "Have you been living under a rock? It’s only one of the best Disney movies ever!"

"No, just working my ass off to get my business off the ground," he grumbles.

Touchy! But I guess he has a point. While I watched Disney movies and lamented my career prospects, Dominic had been out doing whatever he needed to do to make his dreams come true.

An admirable quality.

Once we’re settled in his car, my purse overflowing with paint sample cards, Dominic turns to me. “What do you want for lunch? There are a ton of options around here.”

"I don't care." He suggests a Mexican restaurant nearby. "Except for that." My face scrunches up in disapproval. I love chips and salsa and yummy margaritas, but I’m in the mood for something lighter.

"So, you do care." Dominic huffs as he starts driving around.

"I don't care means you don't know what you want but you know what you don't want." It’s simple girl math.

"Thanks for clearing that up, but we still need a place to eat."

I point to a place on our right. "That looks good."

“You and sandwiches…” he mutters before parking the car, and we walk inside. It’s a cute shop, obviously locally owned. Handmade trinkets stock the front of the store while the rest of the decor is very homey and rustic. The chalkboard menu hangs over a rural scene.

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