Page 12 of Almost Home
But thus far, I’d only sent a message to the group with Dahlia, Calla, Sadie, and Quinn that said,“Interesting new job situation. Can’t wait to tell you about it this weekend.”Maybe by then, I would have worked out how exactly I felt about all this—and the apology would be behind me.
“Sarah is temping for us while Diane is on medical leave.” Inevitably, Wilder’s explanation was the most minimal it could be.
“Okay. Well. Meet my friend Juliet Christensen,” Julian said, gesturing to the absolutely stunning woman next to him.
Said woman rose, a giant smile on her face, and cupped my hand in both of her manicured, warm ones as she shook it. “It’s so lovely to meet you, Sarah. You’re a friend of Quinn’s?”
My vocal cords finally kicked in. “Yes. She’s one of my favorites, for sure.”
Juliet beamed again. “Understandably. And I suppose you’re at least a little familiar with my friend Julian here?”
Charmed by the warmth and general splendor of her, I nodded. “Of course. Plus, he knows if he does anything to hurt Quinn, I’ll make him a eunuch, so we’re good.”
Juliet’s laugh bubbled up, Julian nodded and I thought I detected a hidden smile between those pressed lips, and Wilder? Wilder just watched, taking every bit of this in, no doubt drawing a million conclusions about all of us. He’d always been exceptionally observant, but even silly little civilian ignoramus me could sense he’d honed those skills in his twenty-year military career.
“I approve,” Juliet said with a wink and then returned to her seat and gestured around the table. “Please, join us.”
There were three empty seats—two at either end of the table, and one next to Wilder on his side. It felt too weird to opt into sitting at the head of the table, though obviously, it wouldn’t be because I thought I was heading things up, but this led me to sit next to Wilder. I couldn’t sense whether he approved or not, but I hoped it was okay I’d stayed.
In case this mattered, and I suspected anything involving Julian probably did, I slipped the folder of signed paperwork to Wilder and caught his eye. He nodded almost imperceptibly and then focused back on Julian. There shouldn’t have been a swelling of satisfaction behind my ribs, but there it came anyway. Apparently, all it took was his basic acknowledgement of my existence and the sun came out.
“I’m only in town for another week, but Maddie is planning to stay awhile once she arrives. She asked me to set things up since I know Julian and could vouch that anything he’s involved with would be quality and confidential.”
“Completely,” Wilder assured her.
“She’ll be arriving in about three weeks, and I’d like to make sure her home is fully outfitted with a good system. She’s had some… issues lately.”
Juliet’s absolutely stunning face with delicate features and piercing blue eyes didn’t falter, but somehow, I sensed her unease. Whether due to discussing such things or in concern for her friend, I couldn’t tell.
“And those are…” Wilder started.
“I can’t tell you that. You’ll need to meet with her when she arrives. She’s working nonstop and I know you won’t be able to pin her down until she’s here.”
“I can’t properly outfit her if I don’t know what problems she’s having.”
Juliet eyed him, an intensity coming from her I wouldn’t have expected, before she spoke. “I can’t give you details, but she’ll need in-person help, as well.”
“Good. That’s a start. Her assistant already scheduled the meet when she gets here.”
Juliet folded her hands on the table. “Good.”
Julian stood and buttoned his gray suit jacket. “Anything else you need?”
I looked around, wondering who he was speaking to and startled to realize it was Wilder. But of course it was—this was his business. Still, having Julian solicit a response from Wilder felt like worlds colliding. The billionaire was usually the man in charge everywhere.
My bearded boss—as though I’d ever think of him that way—only said, “All good.”
Julian turned to leave, and Juliet slipped out of her seat. I took that as my sign to follow them to the front and at least pretend to be a proper administrative person by being hospitable.
“If you need anything while you’re in town, just let me know. Or, I mean, tell Julian to get ahold of me—whatever works,” I offered Juliet, knowing she wouldn’t take me up on it.
“Of course. I’m afraid I’m mostly up at the spa this week, but I’m hoping to come back in June while Maddie’s still here. Maybe we can get lunch then?”
A thrill shot through me, right on the heels of disbelief. Billionaire heiress and world-renowned philanthropist Juliet Christensen wanted to have lunch with me? I would’ve laughed if I hadn’t recently become friends with Callaway Rice AKA Miss Mayhem and even kind of, at least in a way, Julian.
“Uh, yeah, of course. I’m pretty much always here.” Then I did a weird side bend and jazz hands because I knew how to keep things cool.
She laughed lightly, then exited out the front. Julian had left without a farewell, which I knew was more a symptom of his own mind being occupied with his to-do list so he could wrap up and get back to Quinn and Cara after work than a sign of him being rude.
