Page 52 of Designing Love
“Sleep,” I order. “Big day of diplomacy tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He lifts two fingers in a sleepy salute. “Night, Sophia.”
“Night, Ethan.”
The call ends and I stare at the dark screen, pulse steady, mind clearer than it’s been in months. Tomorrow I’ll face Daniel, armed with numbers, resolve, and the quiet certainty that a different life is waiting—one I actually chose.
I set an alarm, slide the inheritance envelope under my laptop, and turn off the lamp. Beneath the city’s distant traffic, I swear I can hear waves. And I fall asleep smiling for the first time since arriving in Vancouver.
23
SIMON SAYS TROUBLE
Ethan
My phone mocks me from the passenger seat, stubbornly silent. Still no news from Sophia, but it’s still early in Vancouver. I can’t dwell on that now — I’ve got an appointment with the mayor and a stubborn realtor waiting to ruin my morning.
Pulling into City Hall’s cramped parking lot, I glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror. Tired eyes stare back, and I run my fingers through my hair, hoping it looks somewhat presentable. Instead, I manage to achieve a disheveled surfer look.Perfect.
I spot Simon standing outside the entrance, scrolling absently on his phone. His slicked-back hair shines obnoxiously in the sunlight, his designer suit at odds with Bluewater Cove’s casual vibe.
“Morning, Ethan,” Simon drawls, pocketing his phone when he sees me approaching. “I thought maybe you’d bailed on this little fiasco.”
“Not a chance,” I reply flatly, forcing myself not to roll my eyes. “This should be quick. I’m still surprised we need to meet about this.”
“Let’s face it: this town lives for gossip. Could be anyone wanting to throw a wrench in your little fixer-upper fantasy.”
“Let’s just get this over with,” I say, pushing past him toward the doors.
Simon quickly catches up, matching my stride. “So, tell me, where’s your lovely new designer? Sophia, wasn’t it? Wouldn’t mind doing business with her.”
My jaw tightens slightly, but I shrug, pretending disinterest. “In Vancouver.”
His eyebrows lift, an irritating smirk spreading across his face. “Oh? Trouble in paradise already?”
I refuse to look at him, pushing open the heavy wooden door into the foyer. “She had business to attend too.”
Simon chuckles smugly. “Ah! She’s got that mysterious, sexy, unattainable vibe, doesn’t she? Can’t blame you for trying. Frankly, I’ve had my eye on her too. Thought about giving her a call myself.”
My fists clench instinctively, but I force calmness into my voice. “Pretty sure you’re not her type.”
“Oh? And you think you are?” Simon snorts, clearly enjoying himself. “Let me guess: You played the sensitive card? Women love a good sob story, Ethan. But face it, Vancouver suits her better than your quirky, small-town project.”
I take a deep breath, reminding myself that punching Simon wouldn’t solve anything, no matter how tempting.
Before I can respond, the mayor’s assistant, Janice, waves us toward the mayor’s office door. “Gentlemen, the mayor’s ready for you now.”
“Saved by bureaucracy,” Simon mutters, still smirking as we enter the office.
Mayor Campbell sits behind his cluttered desk, phone pressed between his shoulder and ear as he gestures for us to take seats. Papers scatter as he hangs up abruptly.
“Ethan, Simon, sorry about that,” he says, adjusting his glasses. “Busy morning.”
“No problem. So, what’s going on with this appeal?”
The mayor sighs heavily, shaking his head. “Honestly, I’m baffled. This appeal came out of nowhere — someone claiming the city didn’t thoroughly track down any relatives who might want the Miller house.”
Simon shifts impatiently. “Which is absurd, considering we did a proper search and followed protocol to the letter.”
