Page 62 of One Wild Wedding Weekend

She felt three pairs of eyes on her. “Um, well, I’ve barely gotten my feet wet, Tristan. I don’t know that I’m qualified to help you make those kinds of decisions.”

John clearly picked up on her unease. “You both have plenty of time to work through the details. It will take Harold several weeks at least to deal with the legal hoops. Besides, this is the weekend. Work can wait. Who wants ice cream?”

Tristan knew his impulsive comments about changing the agency had spooked Daley, but he wasn’t sure why. She was mostly silent on the ride back to Atlanta.

They were almost back to the city when he broached the subject of her spending the night again.

She shook her head. “I’d love to,” she said, “but tomorrow is Monday. I need at least a couple of hours with my laptop tonight to be ready for an important meeting. And if I stay at your place...well, you know what would happen.”

“I do.” He sighed, battling disappointment on multiple levels.

She reached across the console and touched his arm. “This weekend has been wonderful, Tristan. I’d love to play hooky, but my team is still getting settled. I need to be a hundred percent. People are counting on me. You understand that.”

“I do,” he said. “But I don’t have to like it.”

At her apartment, he walked her upstairs and kissed her at the door.

She gave him a small smile. “Good night, Tristan.”

He felt a strong urge to close the deal. As if something important were slipping out of his grasp. “We have an agreement, Daley. No huge decisions. One week at a time. Or one day at a time if that works better for you. We’re on the same team now.”

Her lips quirked in a bigger smile. “And what team is that?”

“Team Boyfriend-Girlfriend. We can get this right if we try.”

She snickered. “Aren’t we a little old for those titles?”

“Team Significant Other?”

“That’s better.”

He leaned in and nipped her earlobe with his teeth. “That’s so you don’t forget about me, my sweet.”

“As if I could.” She cupped his face in her hands and gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll see you around.”

For Daley, the week that followed was a crash course in how to separate her emotions from her daily schedule. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Harold came by her office bringing new clients in tow. He made introductions, demonstrated his people skills and set things in motion. At this rate, she would have to hire more staff.

Tristan had gone into hiding again. She didn’t know if that was because he juggled big decisions or if he was trying to respect her boundaries.

Either way, she missed him.

Thursday, Daley took the afternoon off to meet Tabby at her elementary classroom and begin setting up for the new school year. The teachers had been required to box up all their things in May because the building was painted from top to bottom as soon as the kids left for the summer.

Her sister looked frazzled when Daley found her. “You okay, Tabby?”

“I suppose.” She threw up her hands. “They’ve moved all my stuff around. This is going to take forever.”

“Not with me here to help. Where can I change clothes?”

Tabby pointed. “That’s a girls’ bathroom over there. You do not want to go in the boys’ side.” She shuddered.

Daley came back out moments later, laughing. “The toilets are so little. It’s like being in Munchkinland.”

“I could have sent you to the teacher’s lounge, but I was afraid you’d get lost and not come back.”

“I’m here for you, Mrs. Hamilton. By the way, you do know you need a new name plate for out in the hall, right?”

Suddenly, Tabby burst into tears.

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