Page 73 of Dreams That Bind Us
"Judging from your silence, I'm guessing I either pissed you off or you’re thinking about it." Annette grinned as she stood up and brushed off her pants. "Either way, I just wanted the chance to return the favor."
"Return what favor?"
"The advice,” Annette replied with a soft smile. “Remember when you stopped here to talk to Amelia? You told me that not everyone gets the chance to meet their soulmate and you hoped I wouldn't waste my opportunity." Annette's gaze softened. "James is your opportunity, Anna. Don't blow it."
Chapter 19
Key West
Anna followed behind the large box truck as it bounced slowly down South Roosevelt Boulevard toward its destination. This was her final furniture delivery for The Majestic and if she hadn’t needed signatures for the completion paperwork, she wouldn’t be tagging along. In fact, she'd love nothing more than to stay as far away from this place as possible.
She chewed her bottom lip as they passed the airport, cruising closer and closer to the turn for the hotel, her anxiety level spiking. Squirming against the warm leather seat, she felt a trickle of moisture slide down the middle of her back. For a moment, she wondered if she was having a hot flash. Then her hands slipped on the large, acrylic steering wheel.
Dammit! Are my palms sweating, too?
She’d been a basket of edgy nerves all morning about this delivery and had nearly backed out at the last minute. There had to be some other way to get the signatures.
It didn't help that she'd woken this morning as the last vestiges of a powerful orgasm tingled through her body. The erotic dreams of James had returned with a vengeance and nowshe was fairly certain she had been cursed. There was no peace to be found, even in her sleep.
At this point, she couldn’t wait to leave Key West.
She firmed her jaw. While The Majestic was the last place in the world she wanted to be, business was business and she was a professional.
James won't be here. James WILL NOT be here.
Maybe if she thought it enough, it would come true.
Without her cellphone or even a landline in her warehouse, Anna had found it particularly difficult to communicate with her clients and vendors, as well as manage the day to day of her company with just email. But because she had been rushing to complete The Majestic's order, she still hadn't found time to pick up a new cell phone.
Jack and Gus hadn't answered her emails, so she had to handle this errand in person at the old hotel. And pray that the one man she never wanted to see again wouldn't be here.
There's no reason for him to be here. That's what he has employees for.
Drawing in a long breath through her nose, she exhaled slowly and the tension in her neck and shoulders eased as her pulse slowed. After a few more rounds, she felt better just as they pulled into the busy parking lot.
All I have to do is drop off the furniture, get the signatures and I'm out of here. I don't even have to leave the parking lot. This will be a piece of cake.
She stared at the old facade in awe. The Majestic had never looked better, gleaming with a freshly painted eggshell white stuccoed finish and a new deep blue tile roof. Every window had been replaced, and even a new section on the second-floor featured floor-to-ceiling windows that faced the ocean. The view would be spectacular from that vantage point.
Large grand opening banners on either side of the roof waved lazily in the sea breeze, and the main entrance to the hotel was bustling with uniformed bellhops helping eager guests check in.
Even from the outside, she could tell Jack and Gus had pulled off yet another miracle both rehabilitating as much of the historic sections as possible, while modernizing where they could. The result was breathtaking, and she knew the old hotel would be a huge tourist draw. Its status as a Key West gem would be reinstated.
The corner of her mouth lifted in a reluctant wry smile. James had done what he came here to do. He fulfilled his mother's wish and had brought an exciting and historic hotel back to life in Key West.
No matter what happened between them, she was happy for him. In fact, if she was lucky, he'd soon lose interest in the town and leave.
Maybe then I'll get some sleep.
A loud knock on her window jolted Anna, and she blinked at Gus who stared at her perplexed. “You okay?”
She opened her door and hopped out of the truck. "Yeah. I'm good. I was just checking this out. I can't believe it's busy already." She smirked at Gus. "You guys have done an amazing job. This place looks fantastic."
Gus puffed out his chest, and for a moment Anna wondered if he was going to beat it. "Yeah, we did," he crowed. "And we came in well under the deadline." His face contorted as he tapped his nose. "A bit more over budget, but the boss didn't care. So we're good. Plus, it's already fully booked for the grand opening. Can't ask for much more than that."
"That's great, Gus. I'm happy for you." She pointed toward the delivery men who were opening the back of their truck. "We have the last fifteen pieces you ordered, and by my records, that should cover the entire inventory request you sent." She reachedfor her clipboard. "I need you to sign the paperwork and we'll be out of your hair."
"Hold on a second." Gus snatched the clipboard out of her hands. "You need to come in for a tour. Wait until you see this place on the inside. It's next level."
