Page 20 of Chasing Blue

My eyes track Zoe as she walks around my desk towards the wall where my board and samples rest, and I watch as she reaches out a hand. Her fingertips brush over the fabric I chose for the sofas and dining room chairs.

“What’s wrong? What don’t you like?”

“Calm your farm, princess. Nothing’s wrong.”

She shakes her head before turning around and smiling at me.

“You’re a genius. I would never have thought of putting a plush velvet fabric in a beachside bar and restaurant, but that colour is just amazing. It works so well with the timber.”

I let out a long slow breath as Zoe watches me.

“You look tired,” she observes. “Not sleeping?”

I shake my head. “Nope. Between Matt blowing up my phone and all of this,” I wave my hand in the general direction of my boards, “I’m getting about three hours a night.”

“Well, I don’t agree with what you’re doing, but at least Matt will be dust after tonight, and The JMC, I’ve got my own thoughts, but at the end of the day, it’s gotta be your call.”

“I know, but tell me your thoughts anyway.”

She nods and walks around to my side of the desk, resting her arse right next to where I’m sitting.

“You want my input, I’ll give it. I just don’t wanna make your head spin even more than it probably is.”

I smile at her thoughtfulness and shrug. “Go for it, I don’t think it’s possible for me to be more confused.”

“Well . . . my opinion hasn’t changed much from Monday when you first saw him. Don’t worry about us losing the job. If the timing’s right when you see him tomorrow, tell him. If you’re not feeling it until the end of the job, don’t tell him till then. In fact, just take the job out of the equation and tell him whenever it feels right for you. If you get to the end of the job and that moment hasn’t happened, then leave it, get back to your life and leave him none the wiser.”

I shake my head. “I’ve always told myself if we ever met back up, I’d tell him the truth. I will tell him; Iwantto tell him, and I’d rather do it sooner. I don’t want to feel like a fraud. Like I kept it from him just to get the job.”

“You’ve kept it from him for eighteen years, so that’s a moot point.”

I shrug again. “True, but yeah, anyway. I will tell him, and I’ll do what you’ve suggested, whenever the moment’s right, I’ll just put it out there. If he cracks it and we lose the contract, so be it.”

“So be it,” she agrees. “Call me if dickwad gives you any grief tonight. Be straight up with him and don’t let the narcissistic prick get under your skin.”

“I won’t. I’m already regretting that I agreed to see him, but I don’t think he’s going to accept no for an answer unless I spell it out to him face to face.”

“Well, make sure he gets the message tonight, then block his number.”

“I plan to.”

“Good.” There’s a moment’s silence before Zoe steers the conversation back to business.

“The hard copies of the contracts and costings have all been printed ready for you to take with you tomorrow. I’m going straight to the McKinley job in Saint Kilda in the morning, so I probably won’t see you. Wanna grab dinner tomorrow night?”

“Sure. Tapas?”

“Sounds good. I’ll meet you there at seven.”

“Cool. I’m gonna shoot off if that’s good with you? I’m beyond tired, and the more I look at that board, the more I doubt myself.”

I stand, and Zoe pulls me in for a cuddle.

“Bitch, you’ve outdone yourself with this one. I’m jealous of your mad design skills, and you know it. Now go home, chill before meeting with Matt, and then get an early night.”

CHAPTER5

Scarlett.