Page 6 of Stick to the Plan
“Thank you. I’m also your host during your visit. When you are ready to leave, just let me know. I’m sure you’re eager to settle in and eat dinner.”
There goes any hope of relaxing.
They have me staying with a young, beautiful woman? That Rachel woman offers to sleep with me thirty seconds after meeting? This is the strangest business trip I’ve ever experienced. If she sees my eyes go wide with surprise, she doesn’t react.
“Leaving sounds great.”
I walk back over to the computer I haven’t even touched yet to buy time to gather my thoughts. I collect my luggage and gesture for her to lead the way.
We set off together at a comfortable but leg-stretching pace. I study Brianna through my peripheral vision. She doesn’t look very happy. Maybe this is what she and Stone were fighting about earlier. She probably won’t want to hang out much, right? Maybe I can relax without a pint.
“How did you get chosen to host me, if I may ask?”
Brianna’s jaw clenches for a moment, and her nostrils flare slightly. We make it to the elevators and she seems to give great attention to the buttons as she resets her expression.
“Mr. Stone thought you would be more comfortable in a home rather than a hotel. As we’ll be working closely together, it seemed a likely choice.” She keeps her head straight forward and her tone even.
“That is very generous of you. You and your husband don’na mind having a stranger in yer home?” The elevator dings as I watch the side of her face. Her jaw ticks. It’s barely noticeable. If I wasn’t staring I would have missed it.
“I’m not married.” The doors open, and Briana starts across the lobby and out the door without checking if I’m following. “That’s me on the left.”
I head towards a black sedan in the direction she points, but Brianna passes it and unlocks a yellow convertible in the next spot. After stowing my bag, I lower myself into the black leather seat.
“I should pick up a rental car so you don’na have to drive me everywhere.”
“It’s not a problem carpooling to the office every day since I’m driving, anyway. If you have…social engagements… planned we can get you a rental tomorrow. I have dinner ready at the house, but do you need to stop for anything?”
She eyes my carry-on sized rollaway in the back.
“Dinner sounds grand. I have what I need.” I grin at her as she puts on a pair of sunglasses and checks her mirrors. I’m just happy to be leaving the office.
“Top up or down?”
“Down, please. After being stuck in that building all day, I have a need for some sun.”
As Brianna navigates the streets and gets on the highway, I lean back and take my first deep breath of the day, the warm breeze tousling my hair. We drive in silence. It should be awkward, but I am strangely at ease.
The setting sun on my cheeks fills me with warmth and makes me smile. In no time at all, she is pulling off the highway and zipping down suburban roads.
“Welcome to Friendship Springs. Conveniently located to many tourist spots and a quick drive to the office. This is the residential section, but there’s a nice downtown area with restaurants and shops.”
The houses look nice, but all near identical copies of the last. Perfectly manicured lawns with perfectly cultivated gardens. The neighborhood screams class, money, and zero character. So very American, and I am suddenly homesick for the sprawling green hills and historic buildings of home.
She turns a curve and suddenly I see it. A house that has everything the others lack.
Yellow siding with white shutters and window boxes. A white flowered tree blooms in the front yard. The front door is painted purple and matches the lush beds of wild heather lining the front walk. It is charming, untamed, sexy as hell - and I know this is her home before she even turns into the paver driveway.
“T’isbeautiful to be sure.”
“Thank you.” She smiles slightly, bringing a new softness as she gazes at her home. “It was a mess when I bought it. I’ve worked hard to make it mine.”
She falls silent, her eyes glazing over and thoughts clearly far away. After a couple moments, she gives her head a little shake and turns to me. “You must be starving. Let’s go inside and get you settled in.”
She unlocks the front door and barely makes it three steps before a black ball of fur comes flying around the corner. If it wasn’t for the happy bark, I’m not sure I’d realize it’s a dog.
Brianna’s eyes widen in horror. “Crap. I forgot to warn you about Riley. He doesn’t like men.”
Riley stops running at the sound of her voice. His little head cocks to the side as he eyes me, the stranger in his house. With much more decorum than his initial entrance, Riley side-steps Brianna as she reaches for him. The little dog approaches my foot and sniffs my shoe for a moment. I squat down and give him my fingers to sniff as well. Decision seemingly made, he sits down and lifts a paw to me.
