Page 62 of Miss Trust

She made notes as she stepped out onto the patio surrounding the pool.

“God. This pool definitely needs to go. I pray he got a deal on this place. It’s positively outdated.”

Was it? I tried to see it through a decorator’s eyes but couldn’t find it quite as lacking. It was a beautiful house. Maybe a few updates and personal touches would be a nice addition, but it certainly didn’t need a new pool.

I let her into the pool house, trying not to recall the last time I’d been in here. Struggling not to remember Chance’s hands on my body, the frenzy of shedding clothes, or the chair in the bedroom which held some particularly special memories. I was so caught up in my terrible job of not remembering, I missed Malibu Barbie’s last words.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

She tsked. “You know, in all the years I’ve worked for Mr. Maxwell, I’ve never known him to allow the help to have their kids in his house. Is he aware?”

“Mr. Maxwell was the one who arranged it, so yes, he’s aware.” It was gratifying to watch her eyes widen at the news, and I noted her forehead didn’t move with her surprise. Gotta love a healthy dose of Botox.

“How lucky for you. This pool house needs to be completely gutted too. I’m assuming I can start on both projects simultaneously?”

She was supposed to start with the pool house. Or at least that’s what Chance had told me. “Actually, I believe the pool house is to be done first.”

“Ah, you must be the living situation in the main house he referred to.” She did air quotes around the words living situation.

“Indeed. Since I’m new to remodeling, how will the process work from here?”

She rolled her eyes. “Mr. Maxwell indicated you’re here to answer the door for the people I send over. As for the process, I’ll be working directly with him. I’m through here and will see myself out.”

I need this job. I need this job.

The mantra was still going through my head two hours later while I swam laps in the pool, hoping the burn of unused muscles would soothe me. Once I’d showered and changed over, I went into the kitchen to find Mona fixing Penny’s dinner.

“Thanks for feeding her.”

“It’s my pleasure. Feel better?”

“Yeah. I’m less murdery now.” I’d already vented to Mona about how rude Lorna had been.

She chuckled. “I’m definitely mentioning this business to Chance.”

“No, please don’t.” I wouldn’t let someone like Lorna get to me. And I certainly didn’t need him thinking I couldn’t handle a bit of cattiness. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.” So what if Chance had apparently told her I was simply someone to answer the door, and who would absolutely have no input regarding the project. I shouldn’t care.

She sighed. “Okay. I won’t tell him. But you should.”

I wouldn’t. Yet when Chance’s number rang later while I lay in bed, I wondered if Mona had decided to tell him after all.

I couldn’t remember a time I’d gotten butterflies from a man. Yet the mere sight of his number made my heart race. Dammit. I let it ring four times, refusing to come off as anxious to talk to him.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Hi.”

One simple word, yet my entire body went on alert.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to continue our conversation last night. Unfortunately, I had to go to Vegas to take care of something.”

“An apology isn’t necessary.” I wouldn’t have him know I’d spent a restless night wishing there’d been a different outcome.

“How was the meeting with Lorna?”

“Fine. She wants to gut the house, the pool house, and probably the pool too.”

“You disagree?”