Page 50 of The Don’s Virgin Obsession

His crew started paying attention.

I stopped at one section, looking at the layout again.

“This blueprint is not gonna work long term.”

Everybody on his team paused for a second.

I was sure that wasn’t something people said to him.

A beat passed before he spoke. “I’ll fix it.”

I nodded and got to it again, directing my crew, shifting things around, making calls on the spot.

He stepped back a little, letting me run it.

The rest of the day moved like that.

Back and forth.

Him checking.

Me correcting.

No stepping on each other, but no backing down either.

At one point, we both reached for one of his company’s iPads from a table.

Our hands brushed.

I looked up, and he was already looking at me.

It held for a second.

Then we both moved.

We had lunch separately.

Then nine hours went by like that.

By the end, I was tired, still cramping, still a little irritated, but the progress was there.

I went to the bathroom to freshen up, then came back and looked over everything I had done.

He walked up beside me. “Don’t slow my project down with that attitude.”

I looked at him. “Don’t give me nothing to fix, and I won’t have an attitude.”

A small breath left him, almost a laugh. “Enjoy the rest of your day, ma.”

I turned and walked back toward Laila’s car, already thinking about wine and getting off my feet.

Behind me, I could still feel him standing there.

Watching.

This was going to be a long two years…

V Saint