Page 47 of All Signs Point to Malibu

Think about baseball or grandma’s underwear...

I reluctantly get to my feet, happy my shorts hide the evidence of the impact she suddenly has on me.

And it’s not disappointment I’m feeling now that the night is over...it can’t be. Just in case, I head toward the office door before I can suggest something seriously dangerous like a nightcap. “You can have the rest of the fries,” I say over my shoulder as I exit her office.

“I wasn’t planning on letting you take them,” she says in that smartass tone of hers, and the semi’s back.

Outside her house not a second too soon, I climb into the Jeep and start it. I can see Hailey through her office window. I watch for a second.

Maybe we should talk decoration colors...

What the fuck’s wrong with me?

I shake my head and tear out of the drive, unable to comprehend how, suddenly, I want to spend time with Hailey Harris.

What the sweet hell is happening to me?

EIGHT

HAILEY’S DAILY RULE FOR SUCCESS:

Women supporting one another is the only way we will secretly take over the world—so fix those tiaras!

I’m all for fixing Sonia’s tiara in a professional sense, but on a personal level, I’m still concerned about Liam.

Knowing Sonia is meeting with Jay this morning, I head to the Banks Resort. I want to check in with Liam and see if Sonia has told him anything about, well...anything. The fact that he’s being kept in the dark about so much fuels me in my mission.

Inside the resort, I don’t have to go far to find him. He’s pacing the lobby, his cell phone in his hand. He looks tired and stressed and my chest aches for him. I hang back and hide behind a potted plant as I eavesdrop on his conversation.

“A few days ago, it was go bigger, go taller... Now your father is wondering if the designs are too elaborate,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t want to cut corners because of these tight deadlines.”

“I’m sure if you tell Daddy, he’ll agree with you.” I hear Sonia’s voice on speakerphone. “Not easily. And after a long, drawn-out battle of bloodshed and tears. But you’re strong-willed. You can handle my father.”

Maybe unlike Sonia, who struggles to stand up to him? Perhaps she’s hoping having her father engaged in battle with Liam will keep his focus off her while she chases this dream he may not approve of.

Liam sighs. “Yeah, I know. I’ll figure this out.”

“Hey, Hun-Hun, I have to go,” Sonia says, her tone changing quickly—reflecting a mild sense of urgency and a hint of secrecy.

I hold my breath and wait. Will she tell him where she is? Does he already know?

“Just heading into a yoga class.”

Nope.

“Get some extra zen for me. Love you,” Liam says and disconnects the call.

As he walks toward me, I step out from behind the plant with a wide, friendly smile and he nearly collides with me, his attention still on his cell phone.

“Whoa, sorry—” He places his hands on my arms to steady me when I tip slightly off balance, then surprise registers on his face. “Hails? What are you doing here?”

“I was meeting with a client nearby and thought I’d see if you wanted to grab brunch,” I say.

Liam checks his watch. “Wish I could, but I’m just heading into another meeting with the head contractor on the build,” he says as his cell phone chimes again. He frowns as he looks at it.

“Things going okay?” I ask casually.

“Creative differences.”

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