And just like that, he’s gone.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Delilah
“Delilah . . . Earth to Delilah on cloud nine!”
The voice shocks me away from the vase full of sunflowers resting on the small round table. My cheeks warm from being caught daydreaming and my smile comes naturally as I refocus on my boss.
“Mrs. Cole!” I stand and question myself on how long I had been daydreaming about Brody.
Her large barrel curls cascade down her shoulders as she gracefully enters wearing a royal blue fitted dress that flairs at the ends just below her knees. I really need to know where she shops.
“I’m not my mother-in-law.” She gives me a stern look at my formal greeting.
I smile. “Catherine, please come in.”
“That’s more like it.” She hands me a folder and I open it. “I came to check on how the Evergreen campaign is going?”
“On the homestretch of things. My flight leaves Thursday morning from LAX and I should be there before noon. I will survey the grounds before my meeting.” I sit down, open the folder she hands me, and skim the pages. “So, Lindell Investments is the official owner of Evergreen.”
“Yes, they are. They’re in the business of buying companies. Usually they dismantle and rebuild them.”
I type two words on my keyboard. Lindell Investments. “Hmm, says here CEO, Charles Lindell, bought the company from Stella Saint Clair before she passed away from cancer.”
“Kayla informed me they are not tearing down the resort.” She taps her manicured finger on the back of my laptop. “As long as she’s the resort director, the Lindells can’t take it apart and build a new hotel on the property.”
“I wonder why her parents didn’t just hand her the business?”
“I’m sure they have their reasons.” Catherine leans back in the chair. “Are you ready for your meeting with Kayla?”
“I am. This time I won’t forget my designs.” I laugh, remembering the job interview with Peter. “They’re on my laptop and ready for her to see the vision we have. I have even mocked up a commercial.”
“From what I have gathered, Kayla is the decision maker for which firm will represent the resort. Us or Anchor Marketing Group.”
“Well, I will give it my best shot. I have numbers to prove from season to season against the P&L. There’s no way they can say no to us.”
“I have seen what you have done. I think you may be right. Your marketing strategies are stellar.” Catherine pauses, then clears her throat. “So, who’s the lucky guy?” Her chin motions to the bouquet.
“Brody.” I tuck my hair behind my ear, and I’m sure she noticed the giddy smile on my face. “We have been dating for the last several weeks now.”
“Oh, yes, puppy love. The best feeling.”
“I wouldn’t call it love quite yet. But I really like him.”
“And why do you like him?” she asks as she sits in the chair in front of my desk. A twist of my lips forcing myself not to smile, because I know I will. “When I first met Jackson,” she giggles, “I couldn’t stop smiling either.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Obvious? Just like the sky is blue.”
“It’s still very new.”
“What color are his eyes? That’s what attracted me to Jackson, among other things. But we’ll start with his eyes.”
I let out a sigh. “His eyes are . . . hypnotizing. The most beautiful color of brandy, with a hint of green. And when he looks at me, I melt.”
“Go on . . . what else?” She lifts her perfect brows and meets my gaze.
“Well, he . . . he’s not just breathtaking, he’s oh-my-god-sexy . . . he’s got this boyish thing about him, yet he’s all man. Broad shoulders, defined arms, great body . . . He must work out every day. He surfs.” I take in a breath and laugh. “He tried to teach me how to swim, but that was a complete fail.”
“Tell me about his arms.”
With my elbows on my desk, I plop my chin on my open palms. “I feel safe. When I’m wrapped in them, it’s as if he doesn’t want to let go. They say he wants to protect me.”
“Hmm . . . It’s a man thing.”
“The thing is . . . I’m not used to that.”
Catherine angles her head. “Did your last boyfriend cheat on you?”
I glance out the window for a beat. Why is it that my past seems to creep into my present life? But for some reason, I feel more at peace to talk about it. It’s because of Brody that I feel even stronger, more me and Todd invading my thoughts doesn’t scare me anymore.
“I was in an abusive relationship. He was one of the reasons I moved to California.”
Catherine reaches for my hand and the warmth from it comforts me. “Oh, Delilah. I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to . . .”
“It’s okay. I’m in a good place now.” I smile shyly. “Time away and finding this new me, working here, meeting Brody, who has been absolutely amazing, has really helped a lot.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that you found yourself.”
A baritone cough sounds just outside my office door. A large bouquet of sunflowers and daisies covers half of the person’s body, only revealing a pair of jeans and sneakers. “I have a special delivery for a Delilah Marshall.”
Catherine and I stand with wide eyes.
“You have come to the right place,” Catherine says then turns to me. “Where would you like these, Delilah?”
I point on the round table where the others are. “Over there is just perfect.”
The delivery guy coughs. “These flowers are perfect”—he sets the vase on the table—“just like you.”
My hand goes to my mouth as my breath catches. “Brody, I . . . uh, what are you doing here?” My cheeks warm and a smile widens my face.
“So, you’re the lucky guy.” Catherine wiggles her brows as she smiles.
“Yes, I am,” Brody says, stretching his hand out to Catherine.
“Brody, this is Catherine Cole . . . my boss. Catherine, Brody.”
“Catherine Cole? You’re married to Jackson, right?”
“Yes. How do you know Jackson?” she asks. “Wait, don’t tell me . . . you’re the new guy. Brody Reinhardt. From Mark’s office?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, isn’t this a coincidence.”
Catherine’s eyes volley between Brody and me as we stand in the small space of my office. “Well, I’ll let you two be.” She nods, then winks at me. “Delilah, let me know how your trip goes,” Catherine says before closing the door behind her.
I take in the sight of Brody. The dark gray T-shirt that practically looks like it’s painted on his body, his biceps stretch out the sleeves and the fabric fits snugly around his torso. I bite my bottom lip, knowing all too well what his abs look like.
He rounds the desk, takes my hands, and pulls me closer to his firm body. Brody leans in and presses a mind-blowing, mind-dizzying, and mind-numbing kiss on my lips. The scent of his crisp, clean cologne overwhelms my senses. I just want to wrap my limbs around him like a damn spider monkey.