Page 101 of Dreaming of Dawson

“What’s happened?”

“The candles arrived this morning… the pink ones for Sophia Norris’s wedding.”

“And?”

“Most of them are broken, or damaged beyond being usable.”

“How?”

“God knows. The shippers deny all responsibility, but the box was practically in pieces, so I can’t see who else is to blame.”

“Sophia Norris is going to throw a fit.”

“No, she’s not… because we won’t tell her.”

“We won’t?”

“No. I’ve just been talking to the manufacturers, and they’ve said they can remake them.”

“But what about the shipping? How do we know the same thing won’t happen again?”

“Because Ryan’s gonna deal with it. He was here when the package arrived this morning, and he said that, if I could get a new shipment ordered, he’d have it collected for me.”

“How’s he gonna do that?”

“I don’t know, but I’m gonna call him and tell him it’s happening.”

“Okay.”

She stood up, taking her phone, but then glanced down at me. “Sorry. Are you okay with Rory for a little longer?”

“I’m fine,” I said and looked at him. “We’re fine, aren’t we?” He gurgled, and I had to giggle, because that sound was so cute.

By mid-morning, everything was calm again. Rory was asleep, we had a date for the new candles to be shipped, and Ryan had organized their collection.

“He’s gonna send one of his negotiators,” Peony explained, pouring us our second cup of coffee and bringing it over.

“Really?”

“Yeah. It’s a guy called Adrian Marsh. Ryan doesn’t like him very much, and I think he’s looking for an excuse to keep him out of the office… or out of trouble, anyway.”

“As long as he gets our candles back in one piece…”

“I think Ryan might fire him, if he doesn’t.” We both laughed, sipping at our coffee, and then Peony turned to face me. “You seem very cheerful today.”

“I am.” I smiled across at her and decided I may as well tell her the truth. “I’m moving in with Dawson.”

She frowned slightly. “What about his drinking?”

“He’s given it up.”

“Just like that?”

“Yes.”

She nodded her head and then smiled. “I told you he’d work it out.”

“Work what out?”

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