Page 49 of The Innovator

NATALIE

Kiera and Audri brought macarons, brownies, crackers, cheese, white wine, and tea to my place for a mini gathering. Kiera had to leave for her next photoshoot in Brazil in a couple of days. Michelle and Vivian were busy and couldn’t join us. The combination of food looked delicious when spread out on my coffee table, but I wasn’t sure how my stomach would react.

Kiera and Audri sat on the rug around the coffee table while I chose the couch.

“Is Grayson off the hook for what happened to that bodyguard?” Kiera bit into a macaron, looking at me and Audri.

“He said not to worry about it.” Audri sipped her wine.

“When people say that, it makes me worry even more,” I said. “I assume this happened or that happened, and before I know it, an entire scenario has formed in my head.”

“The female mind is a magical wonder.” Audri added Swiss cheese to her cracker. “Remi’s getting better at sharing things with me instead of brushing it off as ‘don’t worry about it.’ Men need training. It takes time and patience, but it can happen.”

A man in love was inspired to change. Moving a man who wasn’t in love would be next to impossible.

Could Grayson be trained? I didn’t even know why that thought invaded my mind.

I switched my thoughts back to Adonis. His death had been a shock. I didn’t want him dead, but I was glad he wouldn’t be bothering me anymore. Would Rafael send someone else to replace him? I prayed Rafael would drop the idea now. Who had killed Adonis? Was the kill a warning to Rafael? Maybe Adonis had enemies who came for him? Or perhaps Adonis went after someone who’d retaliated. I blamed the crime shows I’d watched over the years for making me paranoid.

“Guys think they know everything.” Kiera rolled her eyes as she ran her hand through her auburn hair.

“Grayson told me the police received a false tip about him, but he’s not in any trouble. He was at a restaurant when Adonis was killed.” Grabbing an almond-flavored macaron, I took a small bite and let my thoughts settle.

I didn’t tell my friends about the incident at The Prism. The fewer people who knew about me getting injured by those drunken men, the better. If my friends knew, they’d hound me with questions, and I wasn’t ready to disclose anything yet.

“He could have told me that, and I would’ve been satisfied.” Audri huffed out a breath.

Kiera got up from the floor and plopped onto the couch next to me. She gave me a strange look with a suspicious smile. “Something going on with you guys?”

“No,” I blurted. “We’re just working on the Three Point Park project together.”

Liar.I couldn’t tell these girls about the bet I had with him. How would I explain the reason I wanted him to choose another building?

“Is he making your work life easier these days?” Audri inquired.

I remembered the way he’d kissed me—the way he hadconsumedme. “Yes, things are better. But my anxiety isn’t from him. Did you say something to Grayson?”

Audri lifted a shoulder. “I told him to lighten up because he’s making people around him miserable. It’s not just you, it’s me too.”

Kiera reached for her purse, dug into it, and retrieved her phone. “I reserved a retreat at this gorgeous place in Vermont, but I have to leave for my photo shoot.” She swiped at the screen. “I don’t want to cancel it. Do you want to go? I booked it a year ago. It’s a heavenly oasis in the woods.”

Still sitting on the floor, Audri reached for a fashion magazine from my stack and flipped through the pages. “Are you talking about The Fortress retreat?”

“Yeah, you’re the one who told me about it.” Kiera typed something on her phone. “I’ll go next year.”

“You should definitely go. I think it’ll be good for you.” Audri put down the magazine and looked at me. “It’s peaceful there. The hiking trails, pretty hills, and ponds are simply breathtaking. You can’t beat the fresh air. It’ll help you relax.”

“I do need to relax.”

“Nature will heal you.” Audri pushed herself up from the floor and joined us on the couch, taking the spot on the other side of me. “You’ve been experiencing a lot of stress lately. Go clear your head.”

“You won’t regret it. Maybe you’ll come back stress-free and have all the answers to your problems.”

Wouldn’t that be nice?

The opportunity sounded perfect, and God knew I needed an escape. “If it’s not a bother, I’d love to take your place. Send me the details, and I’ll pay you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Kiera waved a hand.

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