I fold my arms while memories of our treks off-site flip through my mind. “I offered to drive many times.”
Anderson shrugs. “I know. But you had fun. I liked watching you have fun.”
I tilt my head, my chest swelling at the sentiment. “You also loved kicking my ass at darts. Maybe that’s the real reason you wanted me to be the drunk one.”
He pins me with his stare. “Be careful with that mouth of yours, Davies. I have no problem reminding you of what a sore loser you are.”
I straighten my posture and lift my chin. “Remind me then. Let’s have a sober match.”
He holds out his hand. “You’re on.” I accept his handshake, recognizing the firmness of his grip and the gentle squeeze he adds when he steps closer to me. “But not tonight,” he adds. “After today, I’m gonna need that drink.”
The loss of his touch when he releases my hand is almost as surprising as it is disappointing. “Yeah,” I mutter. “Me too.”
He pours us both a glass of merlot then we chat about old memories while he cooks us the most beautiful creamy Tuscan chicken dish. It smells and looks to die for. By the time we sit down to eat, my stomach is going crazy—and not just because of hunger.
I can’t stop looking at Anderson as if it’s for the first time—the way his amber eyes light up, the animation in his voice when he starts talking about how he recently fell in love with cooking, the passion for his new menu that he developed after he started testing recipes with Bruno, the resident chef. He’s an amazing man. I just wish he could see that about himself.
“Wait until you see what we have planned for the saloon,” he tells me with equal enthusiasm. “It’s going to be epic. Just think, fancy appetizers, fresh table bread, gourmet salads, wood fire grill steaks and pizzas, and fresh seafood.”
“Sounds expensive.”
“That’s the best part. It’s not. We’re working with farms all around the islands to get fresh ingredients for prime cost. Jamison would flip over the profit margin though. Our guests shouldn’t feel like they’re stuck paying top dollar for food they can get cheaper right down the road.”
“That’s noble of you.”
Anderson’s mouth tips up on the side. “Helps me sleep at night. How’s Seattle food compared to here?”
“Expensive.”
He chuckles.
“But I eat enough of it to give you a fair assessment of your new menu.”
He raises a brow. “That’s not in the job contract.”
I wave a hand, trying to ignore the zoo of flutters coming alive in my rib cage. “I think we can work something out. A woman’s gotta eat, and you were never afraid of my honest opinion.”
“Nope. Because I trusted you.”
“And I was always right.” I grin.
“I think you mispronounced stubborn.”
A gasp flies from my mouth in mock astonishment. “I was not stubborn. Maybe I was a little glued to my ideas, but I could always defend my reasons if I needed to.”
“And you always won.”
I grin. “Which means you did too. We were a team.”
His nod is slow as his eyes begin to wander the terrain of my face like a soft caress. “The best team. I’ve been lost without you, Hope.”
My chest tightens, his words both a dream and a nightmare all in one breath. My next breath is slow as I pull the air deeply into my lungs, not wanting to answer him too quickly. If I do, I’m bound to say something emotional, instinctive, and dumb.
“You seem to have done just fine without me, Anderson. You’ve accomplished a lot.” I swallow, hating the emotion rocking my chest. Maybe there’s always been a part of me deep down that wanted him to need me, but now I know he never truly had. “I’m proud of you.”
Sadness washes over his expression as he shakes his head. “Thank you, but you are giving me far too much credit. This idea wasn’t mine alone, remember?”
How could I forget? “What if we invite your brothers to the grand reopening? I know we haven’t pinned down a date, but we’ll need to send the invites out soon.”
He shakes his head. “They won’t come. Jamison maybe, but I highly doubt it.”
“Well, it will be a nice gesture. It’s still their camp too. And who knows. Maybe you’ll be surprised.”
Anderson’s face scrunches in doubt. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to send them an invite.”
I smile. “See? My ideas are great.”
After dinner, I head back to my room while Anderson goes to his office to answer some emails he saw come in on his phone. I’m feeling lighter after such a heavy day, and I’m smiling from dinner. For the first time since I’ve been back, I’m happy to be here. Suddenly, I realize that it’s Monday and I only have a week left until I’m back in Seattle. I want more time.
Almost as soon as the door to my cabin is closed, Dexter is calling.
“Hey,” I say while kicking off my shoes. “I just got in from dinner.”
“Good. That means we can video chat.” There’s a click on the line then an invitation to add video. I accept and smile as his handsome face pops on the screen. “Much better.”
He’s unshaven and droopy eyed with his white shirt halfway unbuttoned, revealing his toned upper chest. He must have his phone propped on something because he’s using one hand to swirl a drink while the other presses against his upper thigh.
“Long day?”
He shrugs, seemingly unaffected by anything that came before this phone call. “Aren’t they all?” He tips his glass in my direction. “Just as long as yours, it seems.” His gaze flickers over me and lands on the space above my yellow V-neck shirt, where a hint of cleavage shows. “Looking good, Miss Davies. As usual.”
His comment feels pointed, but I’m not grasping his intent behind it. “Thank you.”
Dexter’s lip tips up at the side in a subtle sneer. “Our new client is quite pleased with the work you’ve been doing there. I suppose a congratulations is in order.”
I choose to push aside the fact that Dexter has been checking up on me and force a smile. “Well, I don’t have much to show for it yet, but branding is approved, which is a huge step in the right direction. This week is going to fly.”
Dexter nods. “That it is. I was hard on you last week. Perhaps that’s because I miss having you close where I can keep a personal eye on you at all times.” He slips a hand up his thigh to where his shiny gray pants stretch around his hard dick. “Do you miss me?”
I’m expecting my pulse to race and my chest to grow hot at the way he’s looking at me, but none of that comes.
“I do,” I lie. My swallow comes next, and I’m certain Dexter reads that all wrong.
There’s no question that Dexter is one of the hottest men I’ve ever laid eyes on, and sneaking around with him in and out of the office has been the thrill of a lifetime. But right here and now, I’m beginning to question our future or if any exists.
“Let me see you.”
My chest tightens and my breaths become labored but not because I’m caught up in the hot moment Dexter is trying to provide. He’s asking me to strip. He’s telling me he misses me. And the only thing I truly want to do is hang up and take the longest hot bath known to man.