resort was my sanctuary

here, coordinating flawl

here Alex and I had pla

al of roses to the string quartet, had

viewing vendor contracts in my office wh

n is on line one. H

o ice. Alex? Why

n?" I asked, keepi

arrison

breath. "Put

voice was smooth, confide

you wan

I see. Look, Jessica an

silence.

Redwood Grove at your r

te. Ou

the pen I was holding

me kind of

a loves the place. And you' re t

able," I said,

that owns this resort, Emily. He was very impressed with your work

Subtle, but

was on

said, my voice flat. "I

ey arrived for t

in designer labels, a smug

ly uncomfortable but trying t

d, air-kissing near my cheek. "

surrounded by mock-ups of floral

some ideas, but honestly, Alex said you had everything planned o

"He thought, and I agree, why reinvent the whe

terer I' d spent months vetting. The

ding, piece by piece, and

e continued, "Alex said they were your

my own express

Peon

at plays Vivaldi? Divine. And that little bakery you fou

back to me, a twisted inv

something – guilt? unease? – in h

y voice a carefully modulated professional

ands. "I knew we coul

Jessica paus

u had on hold at Saks? Alex mentioned it. I tri

w, deliberate smi

closed be

moment, the silence of th

king out at the rolling vineyards, the

dding. Built on

de me tightened, sharpening

ted my

d g

en she