Page 37 of Always, Plus One

“Funny, since I never told you what the problem was between them,” Ariel countered.

“My son talks to me,” Stanton said, shrugging. “Do you and your daughter not talk?”

“I want your construction shut down by tomorrow morning,” Ariel said, ignoring the bait. “Or you’ll be explaining a lot more than a little permit delay.”

Stanton nodded, slightly, and Ariel turned on her heel. At the door of the temporary office, she paused again. “And I’ll be filing a noise injunction against your project, as well, just in case. You can keep your levels down when and if you ever do resume work.”

His eyes blazed at her, but he said nothing.

She walked steadily out the door of the small office. It wasn’t until she reached the bottom step that her knees weakened and she had to grab for the rail.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Ariel guessed that the universe had more than one fight planned in the day for her.

As she walked back toward Leeside, rounding the side of the temporary construction office, she was suddenly blinded by a rolling cloud of dust. Through the cloud, she heard the grind of brakes, and when the dust settled, Ariel saw the bumper of a bright-pink Jeep mere inches from her.

Holy smokes.

Ariel looked up, wide-eyed, to see who was driving so erratically—and her eyes met with Connor’s. He wasn’t in the driver’s seat, she realized, but the passenger’s. In the driver’s seat was the most stereotypical blonde Ariel had ever seen. Around Connor and Katie’s age, the girl looked like something out of a teen movie. She was giggling at something Connor had said.

As the car parked, Ariel saw the girl climb out, and Connor followed reluctantly.

“Hi, Ms. Hawthorne,” he said quietly, and the girl stopped and turned.

Ariel forced a smile. "Hey, Connor. And who is this?" she asked, gesturing towards the blonde. Her long legs were seemingly endless in her short shorts. Her golden hair cascaded in loose waves down her back, perfectly framing her sculpted face. She wore a skin-tight tee that accentuated her curves and showed off ample cleavage. Her makeup was flawless, with smoky eyes, full lips, and just the right amount of bronzer on her cheeks—a full face, despite the summer heat. She exuded a sultry air, as if every move she made was designed to captivate the attention of those around her. She seemed the type who was completely unaware of anything other than her own beauty and the effect it had on others.

Connor put his arm around the girl. "This is Tiffany," he said proudly. "We met a few weeks ago."

Ariel could feel her stomach twist with the urge to defend Katie. "Nice to meet you," she said to Tiffany through gritted teeth.

“This is Ariel,” Connor said. And then, more softly, he added, “Katie’s mom.”

Ariel's heard the door of the Jeep swing open again, and a woman stepped out who Ariel had not noticed had been riding in the back. She looked to be in her mid-forties, with dyed platinum hair, tanned skin, and a face that was stretched so tight she could barely move her mouth to speak.

"Hey there, sweetie," she drawled as she sauntered over to Ariel. "You’re Katie's mom? I'm Tiffany's mom, Trish. Ain't it a small world?"

Ariel forced a smile, feeling like she was in a bad dream. "Hi, Trish. Nice to meet you."

Trish looked Ariel up and down, her eyes lingering on her conservative clothes and simple hairstyle. "Well, well, well," she said with a chuckle. "Looks like we got ourselves a real square here. I guess you and your daughter don't know how to have fun, huh? Must be why Connor’s daddy introduced these two." Trish pointed at Connor and Tiffany with her long, manicured nails.

"Tell your little nobody not to worry. I’m sure Katie will find someone at her own level soon. Maybe down at the docks?”

Connor went pale under his tan, and Ariel stepped close to Trish. “Let me tell you, Trish. Katie is far from a 'little nobody.’ She's a hard-working and kind-hearted person who deserves more respect than what you're giving her. More respect than Connor gave her."

Connor looked down at the ground as Ariel shot him a glare.

Trish scoffed. "Oh please, spare me the sob story. I don't care about some random girl. Connor needs someone like my daughter, someone with class and sophistication.”

Ariel was taken aback by Trish’s lack of empathy. "Your daughter is trying to steal Katie's boyfriend. That's not exactly a very classy move."

“And you’re not exactly of our class,” Trish retorted. “Must be why Richie’s hotel is going to crush your crumbling littlebadand breakfast. Hmm. You can always come to work in the maid service once we’re open. I have some pull as an investor. We should be open within six months.”

Ariel would have been enraged at Trish’s words, but the smug satisfaction on the woman’s face was wiped completely away by Ariel’s parting words.

“Ohhh, right,” Ariel said. “About your opening. I thinkRichiemight have something to tell you about permits and zoning and pesky building permissions. It looks like, according to the authorities, you won’t even be starting back up construction after today for another six months—sweetie.”

Witnessing Tiffany and Trish’s open-mouthed expressions, and ignoring Connor’s small smile because no way did she want anything from him right now, Ariel marched past the trio, and soon disappeared into the field between the now-silent construction site and her own home.

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