Page 76 of Sweet Heat at Bayside
“Okay, go. And, sis, don’t get too big for your britches,” Chloe said. “You need that job.”
“Iknow. Gotta go. Love you.” She ended the call and picked up her office phone. “Serena Mallery.”
“Serena? This is Crystal Bernard returning your call.”
“Yes, thank you.” She flipped through her notebook and found the notes on the client Suzanne had referred to her yesterday. “I’ve been trying to reach you about remodeling your pool house. I’ve got some time available later this week if you’re free.”
“Actually, we’re in the Hamptons until late Friday night. We were hoping you could come by Saturday.”
Uh oh.She didn’t want to miss the tasting for Desiree’s wedding and going tubing with her friends Saturday afternoon. “I have a prior appointment on Saturday, but I can do any day next week.”
“That won’t work,” Crystal said sharply. “We’ll be in town for only the one day, Saturday. We’re leaving Sunday morning for my niece’s wedding, and then we’ll be gone for two weeks. We know exactly what we want, and I’m sure it will take only a few minutes.”
Nothing ever took only a few minutes, especially if Serena was going to gather enough information to actually start working on the job. “Perhaps it would be better to do this when you return in two weeks and aren’t pressed for time?”
“No. We must do it now,” Crystal said, and listed a litany of reasons why she had to meet Saturday or move on to another designer.
Serena wasthis closeto telling the snooty woman to do just that when Suzanne peered into her office. She waved Suzanne in and reluctantly told Crystal she’d be there Saturday morning. “How is eight o’clock?” Maybe if they met early enough she could still make the tasting.
“That won’t work. I have an appointment at the salon. We can do eleven o’clock, and please don’t be late. My husband has a difficult time with people who aren’t punctual.”
Despite her frustration, Serena feigned a smile and agreed, quickly ending the call.
“Sorry, Suzanne. That was Crystal Bernard. I’m meeting with her Saturday at eleven.”
“Good. The pool house project.” She crossed her legs and flicked an imaginary piece of lint from her skirt.
“Yes.” Serena wrote the appointment in her calendar beside Desiree’s tasting session, trying to ignore the tweak to her heart. “Was there something you needed?”Like maybe giving me more difficult, time-sucking clients?
“I just received a call from Seth Braden. It appears he and Jared Stone are quite pleased with you.”
“The feeling is mutual. They’re a joy to work with, and their project is coming along nicely.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Muriel Younger also contacted me. It seems she’s taken your advice for a change in her new offices. Kudos to you.”
Serena sat up a little straighter, soaking in the compliment. “Thank you.”
Suzanne rose to her feet and said, “I know we have our differences of opinion, but when it comes to professionalism and quality, I’m glad to hear we’re on the same page.” She headed for the door and said, “Good job,” as she walked out.
Serena’s mouth was still hanging open when Gavin wandered into her office.
“What are you gaping at?” He sat down in the chair across from her.
“A compliment from Suzanne.”
“Nice. Pocket it away. They’re few and far between. You’re heading back to the Cape again this weekend for that wedding-cake thing, right?”
“Nope. Thanks to the Bernards, I’m stuck here checking out their pool house.”
“Aw, that bites.”
“No kidding,” she said with a sigh. “We were all supposed to go tubing, too. I haven’t gone tubing in forever. Why do I feel like my life is passing me by while I make everyone else’s life prettier?”
He gritted his teeth. “Because it is?”
“Thanks,” she said sarcastically. “You want to know what’s worse?” She lowered her voice and said, “When that new client said she would take her business elsewhere, I was ready to let her. Until Suzanne walked in.”
“I have something that might make you feel better. Be right back.” He left her office, and when he returned, he placed a big chocolate chip cookie on her desk.
