Page 42 of Conquered Obstacles

“That would be insanely popular especially since you are a very inclusive brand,” Colton muttered… As he kept staring at me and what I was wearing.

“I’m definitely not against, it but I would think that’s a bit more…” I wasn’t sure how to word it because I didn’t actually know her brand all that well. I had fibbed about having her items. I think I had one.

And I did like the bra, but I wasn’t very knowledgeable.

“Cutesy. It’s ‘cutesier’ than we tend to be,” she offered, not looking offended when I nodded. “True, but now and again, there’s no reason to have a different type of product launch if you find the right edge and partner. This would be the perfect hook.” She glanced at Colton and snorted.

It made me realize something, and I pointed between them. “What is the business—is he designing a new—are you a part of a new—”

She poked Colton’s arm, and only then did he snap out of it. “Sorry, you look so beautiful, and I’ve missed you so much that I got lost in my head.”

“Ahhh, that explains a lot,” she muttered. “You were together.”

“Almost,” I admitted. “Sort of.”

“We were something special,” he argued. “You weren’t ready for a label, but we mattered. It mattered to me. I know it meant something to you.”

That was fair and I nodded. “It meant a lot to me before you were a boob.”

“Oh boy,” she sighed. She gave me a look that she knew exactly why I was in the restaurant.

I couldn’t even deny it, begging her with my eyes not to bust me. “So what is the project?”

“Following your lead,” she purred. “I need to expand, and I wish to provide housing and help for those I want to offer jobs to who are homeless or those who need to leave a bad situation. Women from shelters would be even better given my brand is all about women being who we are and taking better care of ourselves.”

“Good for you, love,” I praised, beaming at her. “I have no head for business or the details, only recipes and ingredients, but I am absolutely all for holding hands with someone who stands for that. My daughters handle more of the business side and would probably love to get involved with such an exciting collaboration.”

“Beautiful,” she said as she pulled a business card out of her purse. “My cell is on there. Have them call me and maybe I can meet them while I’m in town. I was trying to talk Colton into giving me a tour of your factory. Not for secrets, but I have concerns having housing attached to a factory for obvious reasons.”

“I’m fine with it as long as you’re not taking pictures or recording anyone’s faces,” I told her. “I hope it helps you learn like where we had keycard access needed and even how the cafeteria works to keep things manageable.”

She gave me a relieved look, clearly thinking of exactly that and something so out of her wheelhouse.

I nodded and looked at Colton. “I’ll let Renee know that you talked to me and it’s fine. Really, I hope you can still make this work even if whoever is late.” I glanced at my phone and frowned.

“Thirty-five fucking minutes. Unreal,” she seethed.

“Order dinner and leave them the check if they ever show and want another meeting with you,” I told her. “I’m sure there are other options for whatever they could provide.” I shrugged when Colton winced. “She shouldn’t put up with this, love. It won’t get better. You were the one who said you didn’t care if they were your friends, that you wouldn’t let people treat me—”

“You’re right,” he sighed. “I’ve just had a lot of headaches lately.” He swallowed loudly and gave me a look I couldn’t interpret. “And some people leaving me hanging to worry I went too far over the line and made things worse.”

Namely me. I never responded or gave him a real answer to what he said Sunday.

“Text me when you’re home and we can talk,” I offered after a moment. If I was jealous—and jealous enough to come racing here to interrupt his date—I clearly wasn’t done with Colton.

I just didn’t know what to do with him or what I wanted.

Could that be my answer?

11

I arrived home to Jamie waiting for me and holding up his phone with a picture of Colton and me at dinner. I swallowed loudly and took in his demeanor.

“He was having dinner with a former lingerie model who started her own company and you got all dressed up and went to crash it,” he said calmly. “Do I have that right? And then stayed looking that beautiful for him forgetting we had dinner plans and were going to hang out.”

I winced. “I actually went to beat him for having a date after all he professed Sunday and making me feel a fool. But then it was business, and she wants to do a collaboration.” I hurried to show him her business card as if that would help.

He sighed and nodded. “Next time, a text, right? I deserve better than being stood up and feeling second to Colton who you’re not with.”

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