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It was six in the evening when people left and we closed up. We would be back tomorrow to do the whole thing all over again. I loved every minute of it but was dog-tired as well. We just had time to get up to our room, shower, and change for our business dinner with the people from Luxe and Love.
I put on my dress that I had bought for swish business meetings. Of course, in the past there had not been any meetings to go to. Patrick knocked on my door. He had on a suit. Men always look good in suits. Or gray sweats but I needed to stop letting Corey creep into my thoughts all the time.
“You look amazing,” I said and meant it. “If Paul could see you now, he would be dragging you back to your room.”
“Not so bad yourself. He will be here in a week, and we can all have a holiday. I’ll dress up again just for him.”
The waiter showed us to our table where the Luxe and Love people were waiting. Greta was there and did the introductions. We finally got to meet Delaney who had invited us. Everything went well as we chose our food, ate, and made polite conversation. When it came to dessert we got down to the nitty-gritty.
Delaney smiled, a smile that did not reach her eyes. “So, as you know we have stores in all states, and the company is looking to expand into England. We are looking for new brands to push out there. We want something that people can only get from us. After they have bought your products, they will wander and buy more in our store. We essentially want to use you to get them in the door.”
“We’re both keen to expand, but would like to keep the online side going as well.”
“That is acceptable to us as I really think we are looking at two different markets. We will finish up here tomorrow, and if you would like to come into our offices on Monday, we can sign the paperwork and show you the itinerary for the store visits and demonstrations.”
When the Luxe and Love people left, Patrick grabbed my hand.
“Come on. Let’s have a drink of champagne to celebrate.”
I was more than happy to clink my glass of bubbly with him.
“I know we haven’t signed the contract yet, but the deal is as good as done. We’ve been working so hard for so long and now I feel like it’s all paid off,” I said.
“I agree, but I also think what we thought was hard work before was just the tip of the iceberg.”
It was all true, and I really was pumped about it. It was so silly as I didn’t know the guy that well, but I wanted to share my success with Corey. I had it bad, but time would heal me of my obsession with my holiday fling. I was going to be a successful international businesswoman.
THIRTEEN
FLYNN
Two weeks had gone by since the incident with the powder. The cops had put me up in a hotel while the hazmat people came in and checked it. It was cornflower. They said that was what it was a lot of the time. The powder wasn’t the issue, it was more trying to understand the motive behind someone doing such a thing.
I went through the likely list of candidates with them. Brad Sendler was at the top of the list. It seemed it was true that his wife had left him and intended to take him to the cleaners. I would have been the same. The guy was an a-hole.
I was glad if I had made her see the light in some small way that gave her the courage to get out. I wished I could have convinced my mom as much. I still hated my father, and she was still with him. I never could understand why, apart from her whole belief in the religious thing. I could not see the point in believing in something that said you had to stay with someone who didn’t make you happy.
I could not see Brad doing the powder thing himself. I had been asking around town though, and the rumors were there that he could be laundering money through his production company. Who knew what kind of people he had on his books and what they would do if they owed him a favor. One thing I was aware of, if it was Brad, it was going to be extremely difficult to prove it. He looked like the type of guy who would cover his tracks.
My second candidate was Gill. I could not see any reason why she would do it. I had offered to help so trying to get me out of the way was not going to help her cause. Other than those two I had upset a few people on wild nights out but could see no reason why they would come after me. For now, I would just concentrate on work.
The new season on the show was challenging but fun. My character had managed to save half the town on Dark Storm, so I was now the hero. I could have a choice of any woman I wanted in the town, but I still yearned for a love from a hundred years ago. I really enjoyed the show and the people I worked with. I just felt it mimicked real life a bit at the moment because the only woman I could think of was Emmy and there was no chance of seeing her again. I was an idiot for not getting her number. I would pay for her to visit if I could.
“You daydreaming again?” Jack said as he thumped me on the arm. “I swear, mate. Since you got back from Australia, you have your mind somewhere else. Reckon you got more than laid down there. Looks like someone got your attention and still has it.”
I was called again to get back on set. Jack was right, but I had no intention of saying anything. I did what I was told by the director and got through the scene in a few takes. Thankfully, this time it wasn’t me stuffing up. Gemma kept getting dizzy spells and needed to sit down. I wondered if she was pregnant because she was definitely green around the gills. Even Bec, the makeup artist, couldn’t work her magic.
I would send a message to Mitch to say thanks again for the pictures he had sent me. They had saved my career. I was just packing up for the day when Declan came over.
“Don’t forget next weekend we have the party to celebrate the twin’s birth. Still can’t believe I’m a dad. Then I change their diapers and I know I am. Never knew such cute little things could make such a stink.”
“I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Not changing diapers though. Is it just the regular crew?”
“Yep, a few off the show and Callie’s side with her business. You know Sasha and Audrey, don’t you?”
“You mean Sasha, the lovely lady Jack keeps pining for but doesn’t have a chance with?” I laughed.
“Yes, that’s the one. She lived with us for a bit after Callie and I met. She has her own place now. I think she moved out because Jack was hanging around and bringing women back. She knows he is a flirt.”
