Page 2 of Strings Attached

There's a knock at the door, and I watch as Mireille pokes her head through the opening and gives me a blinding smile. "Evander, I have Greyson Wells on the phone. He's wondering if you have time for a meeting next week? He's intending to flying down to Starlight Bay, it seems important."

I haven't seen Greyson in a while. We met at an event almost a decade ago and have remained friends ever since. He owns a successful business specializing in guided hiking, climbing, and survival tours on the Fire Mountain range in Ashwood, Montana. It's been about a month since I last spoke to him, but it's been a while since we've seen one another. For him to venture off the mountain means something big has happened or is going to.

"Tell him to come and we can set up a meeting, set up whatever he needs, Mireille, accommodation, flights, whatever it is he needs." I know Greyson will probably only want to stay for a few days at the most, but it'll be good to have him here for however long he'll be in Starlight Bay.

She nods, her smile widening. "Of course, I'll take care of everything. Should I book him into the Starlight Bay Inn?"

"Book him into the Starlight Bay Inn, book the best room and ensure it's fully stocked with beers and food for him."

Mireille's eyebrows raise slightly. "Wow, you're really rolling out the red carpet for this guy. Must be someone special."

I nod, my focus on the spreadsheet in front of me with last quarter's data that I need for my conference call. "Greyson's an old friend. One of the few people in this world I actually enjoy spending time with."

"Oh?" Mireille leans against the doorframe, a mischievous glint in her eye. "And here I thought I was your favorite person to be around."

I roll my eyes, but I can feel the corners of my mouth twitching upward. "You're a close second, Mireille. Right after my dentist."

She clutches her chest in mock offense. "You wound me, Evander. And after I've been nothing but a ray of sunshine in your dreary life."

"A ray of sunshine that breaks my coffee mugs and scatters important documents all over my office floor," I retort.

Mireille waves her hand dismissively. "Details, details. Now, is there anything else you need before I go arrange your friend's visit?"

I shake my head. "No, that's all. Thank you, Mireille."

She nods and turns to leave, but pauses at the last moment. "Oh, and Evander?"

"Yes?"

"I'm heading to Lil's Sweet Treats; will I get you a coffee while I'm there?"

"There are other places to get coffee from, Mireille, including the kitchenette that we have. You do not need to go to Lil's Sweet Treats every time you get a hankering for chocolate."

Mireille's eyes widen in mock horror. "How dare you suggest I go anywhere else for coffee? Lil's is a Starlight Bay institution! Besides, their mochas are to die for."

"Fine, fine. Get me a large black coffee, no sugar," I tell her.

She wrinkles her nose. "Boring. But as you wish, boss. I'll be back in a jiffy."

As Mireille turns to leave, I call out to her, "And Mireille?"

She pauses, looking back at me expectantly.

"Maybe get yourself one of those mochas you love so much. On me." I rarely treat her, she usually always gets my coffee for me.

Her face lights up with a genuine smile, one that makes her eyes sparkle. "Why, Evander, are you going soft on me?"

I wave her off, trying to maintain my stern facade. "Don't get used to it. Now go, before I change my mind."

She gives me a little salute before practically skipping out of the office. I shake my head, wondering not for the first time how this whirlwind of a woman has managed to become such an integral part of my life.

As I turn back to my work, I can't help but feel a warmth in my chest. Despite her clumsiness and her penchant for testing my patience, Mireille brings a lightness to my days that I've come to appreciate more than I care to admit.

I glance at the clock, realizing I have just a few minutes before my conference call. I take a deep breath, pushing thoughts of Mireille and her infectious smile to the back of my mind. Time to focus on business. After all, that's what I do best.

But as I dial into the call, I find myself looking forward to Mireille's return, and not just for the coffee. Her presence, as chaotic as it can be, has become something I didn't know I needed.

Chapter 2

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