Page 9 of Smarty Plants
I quickly fill them in on Ben’s idiot Uncle Wayne. How he’s already had two companies go belly-up and now wants to get his hands on Ben’s. How he thinks his age gives him seniority.
“I just hope I’m not overstepping,” I sigh, slumping into Jasmine’s chair. “I mean, this is all happening really fast.”
“Please. You’re always swooping in to save the day,” Jasmine says with a grin.
“Yeah,” Violet adds. “Every time we need something you know how to source it. And if we end up needing money for it, you have a little bit stashed somewhere.”
Jasmine nods. “It’s part of your… What do they call it?”
“Internal programming,” I mutter. “Sometimes referred to as first child syndrome.”
Violet laughs. “That’s it.”
The two of them take a look at my sketches, make a few suggestions and tweaks, then get back to work.
Everything is ready to go when Craig and Brendan arrive, and they give me a ride to Ben’s offices. They install the front planters, move the new reception desk into position, and put the dramatic new planter boxes into the lobby, conference room, and Ben’s office.
Dakota is extremely helpful and has Brendan move some more storage boxes to the back, while Craig helps me hang the paintings. Everything looks crisp and clean against the fresh white walls.
When we’re finished, he slings an arm over my shoulders. “Girlie, you killed it. I’ve watched your sisters design things over the years, but you approached this from a different angle. Almost surgical. Snap – this is now a glamorous space that radiates success.”
“Damn right it does.”
We spin to see Ben standing in the doorway, looking around in astonishment.
Craig quickly retrieves his arm, extending his hand. “You must be Ben. I’m Craig, old friend of the family. That’s Brendan in the back helping Dakota.”
Ben shakes his hand warmly. “Thanks so much for your help. Please add a twenty percent rush charge to the bill.”
Craig winks at me and stage whispers, “This guy is a class act.” He clears up the last of the tools, then goes back to help the others.
Ben takes my hand and mouths the word “amazing” as he looks carefully around the lobby. “It all looks incredible.Honestly, we’ve always projected the family business image. Neighborhood folks you can trust, you know? This takes everything to a new level.”
“Most importantly, will it show your family that you’re completely in control of things?”
“You know it will.”
I follow him to his office, where his awards are all hung in a vertical row, nearly in the corner. “Awards are meant to be displayed. Many people have them front and center in the lobby, but I thought this was subtler.”
He nods eagerly. “More sophisticated. What’s that saying…money shouts, wealth whispers? This is kind of the success-based version of that.”
“Precisely.” The second his arm extends, I snuggle into his side. “I’ve also spoken to Dakota about presentation and first impressions. We’ve changed your outgoing voicemail message, and she’s been updating your billing notices using a more stylish template.”
“I can’t believe you’re real.” He kisses the top of my head. Then his arm tightens around me, giving me a squeeze. “So, that Craig guy is really just an old friend?”
My chin tips up. “You can’t possibly be jealous of him. He’s basically a cousin. Our mothers are?—”
“No, no.” His lips brush across my forehead. “I’m not actually jealous. I’m more…surprised that I had a sudden flash of jealousy for a split second. How’s that?”
“Very honest. I appreciate that.” The warm glow inside me that I’ve felt from the first moment I met Ben is growing fast. It means a lot that he’s not the type of guy who angers quickly. Rather, he’s balanced. He admits his feelings. He was quick to refer to himself as my boyfriend.
Ugh. I hate that my mind is on high alert, waiting for the other shoe to drop. My mind and my gut often havedisagreements, and half the time I feel like I’m playing referee. For the moment, I’d rather focus on the part of me that is excited by this wild heat between us.
“I had this entire evening booked to clean up the conference room.” Ben looks across the hall to the pristine room that is completely ready for his next presentation. “Since apparently that has been done for me by my sweet angel and her army of helpers, how about dinner at my place instead?”
I want to be alone with him, of course, but I also really want to see where Ben lives. Pull back the curtain and get to know him better. “Sure.”
He turns, his arms going around my waist as we press together. I love how he touches me all the time. Innocently at first, then everything always shifts as we try to create as many points of contact as possible.
