Page 3 of Dreaming of You

"He was wrong. And I expect this mess to be cleared out by nine o'clock Monday morning."

"Your office just called a few minutes ago. We'll need a little more time than that. It's already past five now. And it's the weekend."

"That's your problem, Miss Marlow. I have an interior decorator and a contractor meeting me here first thing Monday morning to prepare the office. I don't think I have to remind you that you are not paying rent for this space and are therefore not entitled to its use."

"But what am I going to do with all this?"

"A dumpster would be a good choice."

She flipped her hair back over her shoulder in irritation. "You don't need to be rude, Mr.—"

"Fox—Barrett Fox."

"Right," she muttered. "I'll have these items removed by Monday." She spun around on one high heel and walked hastily out of the room.

"What happened?" Shari asked as she returned to their suite. "I was just about to come down and rescue you."

"The new downstairs tenant just had a run-in with our cupids, and I do mean run-in. He knocked one or two of them over, and they broke apart, and he ended up covered in dust, holding Cupid's arrow. In fact, it was pointed straight at his heart." She smiled at the memory. "It was kind of funny. Not that he thought so. I'm sure his designer suit will need to be cleaned. We'll probably end up with the bill."

"Probably. So, why are you smiling?" Shari asked with a confused look on her face.

"I don't know. He was just…quite a sight. Oh, and the tenant is also our landlord."

Shari's gaze narrowed. "But this building is owned by Fox Management. They have offices downtown in the Transamerica building."

"That's what I thought, but he said his name is Barrett Fox, and he's the owner."

"Why is he working here?"

"I didn't ask. He wasn't in a chatty mood."

"So, what do you want to do about the statues? I'm heading to Lake Tahoe with Todd tonight."

"I'll make some calls tomorrow. You go to Tahoe and enjoy yourself."

"I hate to leave you with such a big problem."

"Luckily, I don’t have a wedding this weekend, so it will be fine. I'm sure I can get them moved into a storage unit. I'll figure it out."

"Then I'm going to head out," Shari said, as she got up and grabbed her purse out of the credenza behind her desk. "Have fun at the party tonight. The Hunts' daughter's wedding could be the wedding of the year, and if we get it, the company bank account will be very happy."

"I'll give it my best shot."

Shari paused at the door. "It sounds quiet downstairs now."

"I'm sure he's gone home to change into another beautiful suit."

"What did you say he looked like?"

"I don't think I said. But aside from the layer of dust, he was tall, dark, and handsome."

"Really? Now I'm intrigued."

"Don't be. He might be attractive, but his personality left a lot to be desired. He was arrogant and demanding and could not for a second see the humor in the situation. I suspect he takes himself very seriously."

"Well, maybe that will change now," Shari said with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Why would that be?"

"Because he got hit by Cupid's arrow. There's a good chance, if that old story is true, that he's going to fall in love with the first woman he saw, and that would be you."

"I'm the last person he would want to fall in love with," she returned, an odd feeling running through her. "And you don't believe in fairy tales, remember?"

"I don't. But you do," Shari said pointedly.

"Well, you don't have to worry. I doubt that arrow came anywhere close to piercing that man's heart…if he even has one."