Page 123 of Where We Bloom

“Can I help you?” I ask, not willing to cower or give her the upperhand.

This woman will be sorely disappointed that she can’t bully me.

“I thought I’d swing by and get to know you a wee bit better,” she says as if we’re about to be good friends.

I don’t think we are.

“Great,” I reply with a wide smile. “What do you do here for Gallagher Hotels?”

She looks surprised as if I should already know.

“I’m an attorney,” she says simply.

“I see. Does this organization fend off many lawsuits? Given how vast it is, with so many properties, I would think it does. I’m sure people often fall or are unhappy with the chocolate on their pillow at night.”

“Are you planning to sue us?” She lifts an eyebrow.

“Right.” I snort and shake my head.

Fiona blinks at me slowly. “And what doyoudo, Miss Blackwell?”

“I’m a business owner,” I reply, holding her gaze head-on.

“Interesting.” She flicks a microscopic piece of lint off her skirt. “What kind of business would that be? Are you a social media influencer? A photographer? A travel blogger?”

I don’t flinch. I don’t show any reaction to Fiona’s effort to be condescending and make me look like a fool.

This bitch.

“No, actually, although I think that any successful business or endeavor is valuable, as long as the person doing it is fulfilled, I own a brick-and-mortar independent bookstore in BitterrootValley.”

Fiona’s eyebrow lifts in surprise. “And what kinds of books do you sell?”

Why are you interviewing me?

“We primarily sell romance, along with women’s fiction and some thrillers.”

Fiona snorts. “I see.”

“Do you?”

That eyebrow lifts once more.

“Did you know that romance accounts for one-point-four billion dollars worth of business every year, and it’s climbing? That’s almost double the next highest-selling genre, which happens to be thriller. Romance continues to grow each and every year in sales, and I would be ridiculous if I didn’t capitalize on that. Besides, I enjoy it myself.”

“I didn’t say anything derogatory about it,” she insists.

“Not with words, but your smirk did.” I sit back in the chair and cross my arms over my chest. “You have already decided that you don’t like me.”

“You seem to have a habit of putting words in others’ mouths.”

I smile at her, not backing down at all, and Fiona finally shifts in her seat.

“I’ll cut to the chase,” she says, leaning forward. “I don’t dislike you, Billie.”

Oh, now we’re on a first-name basis.

“Not at all,” she continues. “I don’t know you well enough to make such a decision. But I did want to warn you that as charming and handsome as Connor is, he’llnever commit to you, no matter how much you beg him to.”

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