Page 5 of That Time in Venice
Chapter2
Anika Taylor.What were thechances?
“Is the fact that the two of you know each other good or bad?” Laura’s eyes flicked at them from beneath awrinkledbrow.
“Um…” Anika hedged, at the same time Reedsaid, “Good.”
Laura raised an eyebrow, and Anika shot a glanceathim.
“I don’t have a problem with us working together, do you?” heasked.
“I’m fine if you’re fine.” She smiled, but the expression in her eyes didn’t match the upward tilt of hermouth.
“I’mabsolutelyfine.”
“Then we’re both fine,”Anikasaid.
They stared at eachother.
“Good!” Laura pressed her hands together. “Please, haveaseat.”
Reed waited for both ladies to sit before lowering into the chair beside Anika. The side of his body closest to her remained tense. The muscles in his right arm contracted, his neck uncomfortably stiff andtight.
“I don’t know how much you know about us, but I founded this firm twenty-three years ago on a shoestring budget, with a loan from my daddy, and a whole lottaprayer.”
Reed smiled. While some southerners tried to lose their accents, Laura clearly embraced hers. He enjoyed listening to her speak. Though not as much asAnika.
“We’ve grown into the company you see today. Our reputation is very important to us, and we’ve built this firm by taking good care of our clients. People like you. We specialize in residential decor. No project is too small. No project is too big. Renovations, redesign—you name it, we do it. Now”—she clasped her hands together on the desk—“tell us about this house youbought.”
“Well, it’s a great place. Four bedrooms, living room, den off the kitchen, and a spacious deck out back that runs the full length of the house. A husband and wife lived there before me and took good care of the place, but it does need some updating—except in the kitchen. Lucky for me, the wife was a Food Network fan who fancied herself an amateur chef, so that at least is in pristine condition. I’d like to put some color on the walls, maybe add new light fixtures. I don’t know much about that type of thing.” He shrugged and laughed, glancing at Anika, whose expression remained neutral. “I need new furniture, too, but I don’t know the first thing about putting colors together. My old place was a one-bedroom apartment with only a living room. So as you can imagine, I need theworks.”
Laura nodded her understanding. “Rest assured we’re ready and able to handle all of your project’s needs. Anika is my very best designer. If anyone can transform your home into whatever you desire, she’s the one to do it. I know you’ll be very satisfiedwithher.”
From the corner of his eye, he thought he saw Anika stiffen. His own body tightened. He had been very satisfied with her in the past. Very satisfiedindeed.
Laura continued. “Anika will start with an initial consultation in your home—no obligation, of course—which will allow her to see the scope of the project and get a sense of your style. Then she’ll put together some initial ideas. You’ll both discuss options until you’re absolutely satisfied with the design plan. By the way, is there a Mrs.Stewart?”
“No, but there’s a Miss Stewart. I have adaughter.”
“You have a daughter?” Anika’s voice reeked withshock.
Laura and Reed glancedather.
“I’m surprised, that’s all,”shesaid.
“She lives with me full-time and is very opinionated about the design of her new room. Her current obsession is butterflies, which she wants incorporated into the design. I’m open to just about anything, withinreason.”
“We can certainly handle that. So aside from that bedroom, it sounds as if you’ll be able to make the final decisions.” Laura smiled pleasantly. “What we’ll do next is have Anika take you to her office to set up a time for that consultation. I want to assure you that we take customer service very seriously. It’s our honor to be invited into your home, and we don’t take that privilege lightly. Before I let Anika take you away, do you have any questions for me, Mr.Stewart?”
“Only one. Will you promise to call me Reed and not Mr. Stewart? Mr. Stewart sounds way too formal.” He flashed his most charming grin, which he’d used for years to seduce women and strip them of theirinhibitions.
Laura blushed and laughed. “Well of course, but you must call me Laura. And while I have every confidence that Anika will take good care of you, should you have any problems at all,pleasefeel free to contact me directly. Here is my card with my direct extension.” She handed it over. “We take good care of all our clients, but Judge Evers has been such a good friend to our firm—sending us lovely people such as yourself—we want you to be happy so that she doesn’t regret referring youtous.”
“I will definitely do that, Laura. But I have no concerns whatsoever. Davenport Design Studio has a stellar reputation, and I’m sure Judge Evers wouldn’t have given me your name if she wasn’t satisfied with your work and the great job you’ve done for herfriends.”
Laurabeamed.
They all stood, and he shook Laura’s hand, making sure to maintain eye contact and send another smile her way. “It was apleasure.”
