Page 19 of Travis

“It’s nice to see you again.” I say, giving him a healthy handshake. He’s about five years younger than me if I were to guess. I check for a wedding band but I don’t see one, and I pray to God that he’s gay, otherwise I’m in big trouble. Sara’ll take one look at him and crucify me. And if I know my sister well enough she’ll be popping by in between open houses, just to spy on me, on account of me not being able to keep hiring my first employee a secret.

“Likewise.” He nods. He’s got a hard look about him, not soft and sexy like Travis, but there’s no denying that he’s as handsome as the day is long. He has a degree in art history, which has netted him nothing but side jobs since graduation. This job is a second job, to help pad his finances so that he can continue with his own art. The planning part is from when he worked in an art gallery, and he was involved in a major undertaking there that included a display in Europe. Hence the cutthroat attitude that I’m getting from him.

All this from a short interview, mostly done over the phone, but I did meet Greg briefly a couple of days ago, right before I met with Liam and Hanna, which further solidified the fact that Greg is it. That, and nobody else, other than someone who was clearly just applying for everything, with no related background at all, applied for the position. “So, what’s in the briefcase?” I ask, breaking the ice.

“Ideas. Past projects, things like that.” He answers, making himself at home on my kitchen table. I like it that he’s a go-getter. Sometimes you have to skip some of the niceties when you’re under the hammer, and I think he gets that.

“I met with Liam and Hanna, as I told you about.” I state, as he pulls files, full of swatches, scratched notes, paint chips, and other samples, out of his leather case.

“I’d like to meet with them, too, if that’s okay.”

“Well, sure. I have a meeting with them tomorrow. You can join me.”

“Excellent.” He says, showing me a sketch of a wedding, with a birdseye view of the altar. “Check this out. It’s not Christmas-themed, but it’s close.”

I take a look at the sketch. It’s impressive. “Well done. Is this from a previous project, or is this some brainstorming for Liam and Hanna’s wedding?”

He waves. “Oh, no, this is from a thing I did in the gallery. We had weddings there, too.”

“You did?”

He nods. “Oh, yeah. I told you about that. I’m sure of it.”

“Hm. Well, either way, it looks pretty good.” I say, trying to recall him mentioning the wedding. Usually my memory is impeccable, but it’s possible that I’m just overwhelmed, and I brush it off.

“Can we go check out the ranch?”

“Um, sure. I already mentioned to Laura that I’d be bringing you by shortly.”

“Let’s go. My car or yours?” he asks, and I see something behind those big eyes of his. Can’t figure out what it is just yet.

“Mine.” I nod.

I fill him in on some of the minor details as we make the short drive to Kelsey Ranch. I pray to God that Travis doesn’t see us, but sure enough, he’s right in the pasture as we pull up. He gives me a perfunctory nod hello, but I notice that his gaze stays fixed on Greg. Uh oh. I purposely walk over and introduce them, so that Travis’s claws retract. He’s never been a jealous man, but I suppose after us separating so recently, he may have some reservations about an extremely handsome, young man, making nice with his ex-wife, no matter just exactly how ‘ex’ I am to him.

Laura sees us chatting from the house and comes out. “Ah, this must be Greg.” She says warmly.

“Yes, ma’am.” He says, shaking her proffered hand.

“Welcome to Kelsey Ranch. Have you been here before?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Do you like horses?”

“I do.”

“Have you ever ridden one before?”

“Yes, a few times, but it’s been a while.”

Travis turns to me and boldly asks if he can have a word with me.

“I’ll show Greg around.” Laura offers, and if I didn’t know her better, I’d think that she wants Travis and I to talk alone.

Reluctantly, I follow him into the stable, out of earshot. “What’s this guy’s deal?”

“Travis, it’s business. Now isn’t the time to be jealous.”

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