Page 9 of Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail

The woman—Jordan Everwood—lifted a dark brow. Astrid held her breath, pasted on a smile. If there was anything she was great at doing, it was executing a convincing smile. She even let it reach her eyes.

“It’s lovely to meet you,” she added.

Jordan’s mouth twitched, and Astrid knew she was doomed. She’d lose this job, she’d lose Natasha Rojas, lose her last bit of sanity when it came to her mother, all because of a few cups of coffee and a dress.

A goddamndress.

She felt her throat thickening, which meant that on top of ruining her career in one go, she was also going to cry in front of this beautiful Everwood. No, make that all three beautiful Everwoods.

Astrid was just about to lower her hand when cool, calloused fingers slid over her palm.

“Oh, it’slovelyto meet you too,” Jordan said.

Astrid’s belly swooped in relief. Jordan held onto her hand a bit longer than was necessary, but right now, Astrid would probably let this woman toss her into Bright River if she was so inclined.

“I’m so excited to get started,” Astrid said once Jordan released her. “The Everwood Inn has long been a design dream of mine.”

“Has it now?” Jordan asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Astrid saw Simon shoot his sister awhat the helllook, but Jordan ignored it. She was too busy watching Astrid with an unreadable expression. Mischief? Interest? Pure unadulterated evil? Astrid couldn’t tell, but whatever it was, it made Astrid feel the need to vomit into the weed-riddled flower beds.

“It has,” Astrid said, pushing forward. “I received the specs you sent me, Simon, but I haven’t been inside the Everwood in some time.”

“You’ve never stayed here?” Jordan asked, those expressive eyebrows lifted once again.

Astrid opened her mouth. Shut it again. She should be able to say yes, but Christ, this inn wasn’t famous for its luxury. Looking up at it now, overgrown thorns from the rosebushes creeping up onto the porch, faded lace curtains in the century-old windows, it looked like something out of a horror movie.

“I—”

“She lives in Bright Falls, Jordan,” Simon cut in, saving her. “She wouldn’t need to stay at an inn in her own hometown.”

Astrid smiled and nodded.

“Mmm” was all Jordan said in reply, earning another look from Simon.

“Well, I, for one, am thrilled about rejuvenating the inn,” Simon said, clapping his hands together and beaming at Astrid. “Time to take this old relic into the twenty-first century, right, Grandma?”

Pru’s eyes seemed to dim a bit, but she nodded. “Of course. Yes.”

“Granted, we’ll be doing it all on camera,” Simon went on, “which should be interesting.”

“Speaking of,” Jordan said, chin-nodding toward the driveway.

Astrid turned to see two white vans crunching over the gravel,Innside Americaprinted across the sides in a bold burgundy, theIofInnsidein the shape of a turret. Her stomach flipped and flopped like it was the first day of school. The Everwoods—well, Pru and Simon—came to stand beside her, and she felt a strange sense of camaraderie as people spilled out of the vans. She felt Jordan hovering behind her somewhere, but she forced herself to breathe... smile.

There were seven people total, and most of them immediately went to the backs of the vans, pulling out equipment and slinging giant black bags over their shoulders.

Only two headed toward the Everwoods and Astrid, one of whom was Natasha Rojas.

She was magnificent.

That was the only word Astrid knew to describe her. Her brown skin glowed in the morning sunshine, and her long dark hair was pulled into a low side ponytail only so many people could pull off. She wore a long navy maxi dress and espadrilles, a few gold chains looped around her neck, one of which had a strange charm that looked like a double wishbone.

“Hello!” she called, waving and flipping her sunglasses onto her head. She glided toward their group as if on a cloud.

Okay, it was possible Astrid was a bit starstruck, but in her defense, Simon looked a bit dazed too.

“Hey, there,” Simon said, reaching out a hand when Natasha got close. “Simon Everwood.”