Page 66 of Big Bad Wolfe

“In the addition, writing up purchase orders for the new kitchen.”

“All right, we’re heading over there, too.” She passed Tala her purse. “Could you put this in my bottom desk drawer, please, and then lock my office?”

“You got it.”

When Jillian and Zane stepped into the corridor, he frowned. “Jillian, you just handed your purse containing your ID, credit cards, and your money to a teenager. Without a qualm.”

“I did, yes.”

“Someday, sweetheart, that trusting nature is going rebound and bite you on your luscious ass.”

She grinned. “I prefer to give everyone the benefit of the doubt until they’ve proven they don’t deserve it.”

“Miss Jillian is a dreamer.”

“Mr. Zane is a cynic.”

“Being cynical protects you from being hurt.”

“Does it?” Her pensive gaze searched his. “Does continually staying on guard, always expecting the worst, make your life better? Or bitter?”

A cacophony of men’s shouts, whining power saws, and thudding nail guns echoed through the dim corridor, cutting off whatever reply he might’ve made.

Jillian unlocked the temporary steel fire door that separated the school from the ongoing construction. Inside what would eventually be the new expansive kitchen, huge industrial floor lamps threw the room into freaky angles of fluorescent light and shadow. A crew of six men moved in smooth tandem cutting and hanging sheets of drywall.

Brooke clicked around in a navy power suit and three-inch heels, her avid gaze darting to the clipboard she clutched.

Wonderful.Brooke was here, too.

Andoh, crap,in the far corner, Dean Ramsay faced off with another worker, her dad’s waving hands punctuating his booming opinion.

Loucinda stood calmly amidst the melee wearing a flowing black skirt printed with neon green ferns and a matching chartreuse blouse, circling items in a catalog and jotting notes. The reigning Queen of Pandemonium.

Jillian swallowed hard.

Not exactly the way she’d envisioned making her announcement.

Loucinda glanced up. “Jilly!” she called. “We got word Reynolds was ponying up for the kitchen expenses a month ahead of schedule, and your dad finished the Martin job sooner than expected, so he and his crew were able to get started immediately. Isn’t that fantastic?”

Yeah. Fantastic.That explained Brooke’s presence. Brooke served on the Center’s board as treasurer.

Yippy skippy, the gang’s all here.

Loucinda hurried toward her. “And Lynn Reynolds sweet-talked her hubby into promising a buttload more money than we asked for. Come see all the loot we’re buyin’!”

Jillian flicked an uneasy look at her dad. Dean hadn’t noticed her yet. “How about if I just meet you back in the office, and look at it then?”

As she turned to leave, her wedding ring must have reflected off one of the lights, because Loucinda lunged and grabbed her hand, stopping her. “What’s this?”

“Loucinda—”

Her friend’s inquisitive gray gaze assessed Jillian—who couldn’t stop a flush from creeping up her neck into her cheeks—then shot to Zane, who stepped closer to Jillian and rested a warm, protective palm on the small of her back.

“Hot damn! Slather me with honey and handcuff me to the headboard,” Loucinda yelled over the din. “Jillian Ramsay, you little sneak! You ran off and eloped!”

Brooke froze mid-stride, jaw dropping.

Dean Ramsay’s head shot up. Violet-blue eyes very much like her own lasered into Jillian’s.“What?”he bellowed.

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