Page 9 of The Ex Project (The Heartwood #3)

“You’re talking about competing for the job.

” She squints her eyes in skepticism, weighing her odds.

I know her calculating mind. The way she sizes up an opponent like she’s doing with me right now.

A thrill ripples through me, the way it always does when I go toe to toe with Wren.

A thrill of excitement, and maybe a tug of attraction.

“If that’s how we need to settle this, then, sure.”

“How do I win?”

I bob my head from side to side while I chew, considering what would make this a fair fight.

How we could declare the winner, and in time to stay on track with the build schedule.

We have to finalize the designs in three weeks so we can move forward, and Shelley didn’t exactly give us a lot to work with.

Next week is the public forum Shelley organized. It’ll be a chance for the town to weigh in, to ask questions and, more importantly, to provide suggestions and insight into specifics for the building so it best serves the community.

And that’s it. The idea is so simple.

“We let the town decide,” I say.

“What?” Wren is incredulous. “I’m not leaving it up to the people of Heartwood to decide something like this.” The way she says people of Heartwood gives me all the confirmation I need about how she feels about us. Like she looks down on us.

Ruby interrupts the conversation with a whine, and I gesture to let her know she can leave her bed now that she’s had a chance to settle down from the initial excitement of our guest’s arrival.

But as soon as she does, she beelines for Wren, butting in between the barstools, and pawing at Wren’s leg repeatedly.

Wren ignores it until finally giving in and placing a stiff hand on Ruby’s head, rubbing it softly.

I might be imagining it, but I notice a slight drop in Wren’s shoulders when she does.

She’s not as defensive, and maybe now she’ll agree to my suggestion.

I make a mental note to get Ruby some special treats tomorrow.

“If you have a better suggestion, I’m all ears,” I say.

Wren’s mouth works as she thinks, but she doesn’t offer up any other ideas.

A smug satisfaction overtakes me—I’ve won the first round.

“Okay, then. It’s decided. We both come up with our own design after the public forum, and then we put it to a vote.

Whoever’s design wins, takes the lead on the project. ”

Wren swirls the wine in her glass with one hand, the other hand still resting on Ruby’s head. Ruby has a big, goofy smile on her face, her tongue lolling out one side as she pants. Wren chews the inside of her cheek in contemplation for a moment before nodding.

“Sure, fine. The town can decide.” Perfect. A small victory.

Though, I’m wary of getting too cocky. Wren agreeing to a challenge is a declaration of her confidence in her ability to win.

She thinks she’ll have the best design, and this is her area of expertise, after all.

But I have a leg up, a clear advantage of having lived and worked in this town for the whole decade she’s been gone.

I know everyone here, their wants and needs, what they love and what they complain about. I know how to win their hearts.

“Great.” A smirk tugs at my lips. Poker is the one game I’ve never been good at.

“Fantastic.” Her mouth stays in a flat line, no hint of amusement the way a good, friendly match might have amused her in the past. She crumples the napkin she used and sets it on her plate. “Since that’s settled, I should be going.”

I show Wren out, and we share few words in the process. Rivals, going our separate ways to prepare for the impending battle.

Ruby is staring at me, still with her goofy smile, when I close the front door and turn around.

“Why are you looking so happy?” I ask her. She cocks her head, one floppy ear perking up. “We don’t like Wren anymore, girl. She’s not a dog person.”

Ruby cocks her head to the other side, her ears relaxing into almost a flat expression. As if to say Yeah right . I huff a laugh at the irony of the entire situation. The girl I have been hung up on for a decade is finally back, and she is nothing like I remember. Nothing like I hoped she’d be.

Now, we’re officially enemies, and I can’t get away from her.

Not even in the solitude of my own mind. Ever since the meeting with Shelley, all I’ve thought about is Wren. I shake off the thought. It’s just old, lingering, stale attraction. It doesn’t mean anything now.

If this week has proven anything, it’s that Wren and I need to stay in the past. I need to move on. I pull my phone out and open my text thread with Emma. She’s sent me another picture of her dog.

EMMA

Murphy is looking forward to meeting Ruby next week!

I smile to myself before snapping a quick picture of Ruby, currently lying on her cushion, on her back with all four paws in the air.

Ruby doesn’t know what day of the week it is. Some days I don’t think she knows her own name.

Aww. At least she’s cute!

See? This is the type of girl I need in my life. This is a nice woman who shares my love of dogs, who probably wouldn’t get offended if Ruby got fur on her dress pants. She probably wouldn’t show up at my place in dress pants in the first place.

Fucking Wren Miller.

I open my e-mail to send her a message with the details for the public forum, realizing I never told her the specifics. I also attach a link for her to buy a sticky roller, though I’m doubtful she’ll want to ever spend much time with Ruby and I again.

I sign my e-mail with a note underneath my name.

P.S. Ruby: 1 Wren: 0