Читать книгу Love by Design - Lisa Watson - Страница 12

Chapter 3

Whoever wrote be careful what you ask for, you may get it, obviously knew what the heck they were talking about.

“I vow to do anything to keep my business afloat, and bam! In walks Logan Montague.” Dakota laughed at the irony, but it came out as more of a high-pitched squeak. What kind of sick joke is that?

“Daydreaming again?”

Dakota was leaning so far back in her chair that it almost capsized. She had to put forth a lot of effort to right herself.

“I did knock,” Susan said. “And I called your name.”

“I’m starting to think that I need a bell over my door,” Dakota said, panting from exertion.

Susan sat down, took a sip of coffee from her mug and got comfortable. “So how did it go yesterday? Did you catch up with your friend?”

“Not exactly.”

“I didn’t press you yesterday because I could see you were overwhelmed, but…I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about Logan. I’m your best friend. Don’t you think I should’ve known about something this important to you?”

“What was I supposed to say?”

“How about the truth?”

With a long sigh, Dakota fiddled with a paper clip. “We were the best of friends, he moved away to go learn the family business, which he said he’d never do, and then he stayed away to make a name for himself outside of his wealthy parents’ shadow, and now he’s back.”

“And?”

Dakota shrugged. “And I’m fine.”

A skeptical expression flittered across Susan’s face. “Your body language says otherwise.”

“Look, I know you’re concerned about me, but you don’t have to be. I can take care of myself,” Dakota assured her friend. “I have been for quite some time.”

“I know you have,” Susan said softly. “You’ve endured more than anyone should, and I don’t doubt your voracity when it comes to watching your own back. But it’s obvious there’s more to this story than you’re telling. I saw it in your eyes the moment he walked in.”

“Saw what?”

“It wasn’t just surprise at seeing a long-lost friend. There was more—and it had nothing to do with friendship.”

She sat forward. “Suzy, I love you…you know that, but I don’t want to talk about it. Besides, I’ve got important news. Our new client is Belle Resorts.”

“Wow. Their resorts are so beautiful. It’s a fitting name.”

“It is. Logan’s mom visited the area while on vacation and—”

Susan’s mouth dropped open. “Wait a minute…are you telling me that your friend’s family owns them?”

“Yes. It’s a family business, and Logan is the new CEO.”

“Seriously? I know about the one in Jamaica, but how many are there?”

Dakota studied her desk. “Not many.”

“Dakota,” Susan pressed.

“There’s only…three.”

Susan choked on her coffee. “Three? Are you kidding? We don’t have the manpower to—”

“I know, but we’ll start with the one in Jamaica first, and if that goes well, One Eighty will tackle the rest, one at a time.” Dakota leaned across her desk. “This is a great opportunity,” she said excitedly.

“I know, but are you sure you can handle it?”

“Of course we can.”

“Not we,” Susan corrected. “You.”

“Yes. We’ve been talking about expanding, right?”

“I’m not completely sold on this idea. It’s obvious that you and Mr. CEO have a few…issues to work out.”

“Yes, we do, but we can tackle those later. Logan assured me that he had no problems taking direction from me, and I made it clear that if we do this, I want complete autonomy. No exceptions.”

“And he agreed to that.”

“Yes. I gave him a contract, and Logan will have it couriered over when it’s ready.”

“If you think you can handle it, I’m in one hundred percent.”

Dakota jumped up and went to hug her friend. “Thanks, and don’t worry. I’ve got this. Everything will run as smooth as kookoon silk, trust me.”

She returned the hug. “I know it will. Speaking of which—” She handed Dakota a piece of paper.

“What’s this?”

“The most recent message that Norma Jean Anderson has left today. You’d better stop stalling and call Ms. Jeannie back before she comes looking for you.”

“Too late,” Norma Jean said from the doorway.

“This is getting to be a habit,” Susan joked before greeting the older woman and leaving.

Norma Jean got straight to the point. “I know you’ve gotten my messages.”

“Ms. Jeannie, I promise that I’m not avoiding you. I just got an unexpected new client, and I’m trying to work a few things out.”

“Well, there’s a development that I think you should know about,” Norma Jean began.

“No need. Logan stopped by to see me yesterday.”

“He did?” she said, astonished. “Good. I know you two don’t have the best history, but I hope you were able to clear the air.”

“Not really, but I can handle it,” Dakota assured her.

“I know things don’t always go according to plan, honey,” Norma Jean said. “There’s no denying that he messed up really bad, but I know he’s here to make things right between you. You were so close once. I’m hoping that you and my nephew can get that back.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Have you told him what happened years ago?”

A frown creased Dakota’s forehead. “No. Did you?”

“It’s not my place. It’s your life, and if you choose not to tell him what happened after he left, I won’t be the one enlightening him. I guess you’ll fill Logan in in your own good time.”

“I…I’m not sure, Ms. Jeannie. I’ve been mad at him for so long, I honestly don’t know if things will ever be right between us, but we’ve called a temporary cease-fire for now. I won’t lie, a part of me wants to leave well enough alone, and never see him again, but he’s making me a business offer that I would be foolish to turn down. Besides, I don’t have time for a bruised heart.”

Norma Jean shook her head with displeasure. “It’s more than bruised, Dakota. You experienced a devastating event in your life. It’s completely understandable how it would alter how you view things, but you defer your personal life too much if you ask me. You need to get your house in order.”

* * *

Dakota was still mulling over Norma Jean’s words on the drive home. Norma Jean was a wonderful woman, but when she got a notion in her head, nothing was going to deter her from her goal. As far as Dakota was concerned, she had given love a shot, and got kicked in the teeth. She was happy, and then everything got stripped away. Dakota accepted that sometimes as much as you want something, there’s no guarantee that it’s meant to be.

It was late by the time she left work, so she stopped at one of her favorite Mediterranean restaurants to pick up dinner. Dakota lived less than twenty miles from Chicago in the suburban village of Glenview. When she got home, she took a quick shower and changed into loungewear. She ate dinner while searching Belle Resort’s company website. Jotting down notes on a pad as she went, Dakota focused on first impressions and action items that she would organize later.

She clicked another link and discovered a travel magazine article on Logan’s taking over the resorts. It was a good article, but the writer pondered whether Logan had enough experience working in the hospitality industry and if it would ultimately hurt the family’s resort chain. Apparently, bookings had dropped when the transition was announced, but had slowly edged their way back. She stared at Logan’s picture. He was wearing a navy blue suit with a bold red-striped silk tie. There was a slight tan to his golden-brown skin, and he had a smile that made him appear confident and capable. He also looked as though he held a secret.

He also looked incredibly good.

Dakota stared at her laptop screen. There was no denying that Logan was good-looking. He had classic features, and at six-foot-two, he was well-built and muscular. Inheriting his mother’s sable-brown eyes, he also had her knack for winning people over. When he smiled, his whole face lit up, which only served to make him much more irresistible. What bothered Dakota is why her conscience had just reminded her of that fact.

There were no disillusions at having to work with Logan. It would be a huge test of her patience and fortitude because she still wanted to wring his neck sometimes, but violent thoughts notwithstanding, Dakota was excited to be working on a new project, especially one with the potential for add-on work later.

Her phone rang, interrupting her musings.

“Hey, Koty.”

She frowned. “Having second thoughts?”

“About you?” He chuckled. “Never. I believe you’re the perfect woman for the job,” Logan assured her.

She relaxed. “Why?”

“Your company has received a great deal of accolades in the short time you’ve been in business. You know your stuff, and your vision to date has never been wrong.”

Unable to help herself, she felt her chest swell with pride. “How do you know?”

“I read and asked around.”

That did not surprise her, and yet it did.

“I didn’t need validation that you’re good, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

A smile crept up her face. “I was thinking no such thing.”

“Liar. I’ve got decisive plans for Belle Cove. I need you to transform my vision into something tangible…that will seduce our guests. What I need to know is can you do that, Koty?”

Could she do that? Heck yeah, she could.

“I’m confident that I can give you exactly what your company needs.”

“Great, then how about we meet tomorrow to discuss it further?”

Dakota agreed, and then hung up. She went back to her spot at the table and resumed her work on finding everything she could get her hands on pertaining to Belle Resorts…and Logan.

* * *

It was still dark outside when Dakota arrived early to work the next morning. She had gotten hardly any sleep, but that was of little consequence. The preliminary ideas rolling around in her head were now down on paper. She felt good about them, but would need to garner input from Logan. She would also need to schedule an on-site inspection as soon as possible so that she could spend some time evaluating their business practices and operations from the ground up. That was when Dakota really got in and rolled up her sleeves. Her presence unnerved people at times, but it was imperative to her job.

Logan had arrived at nine, and stayed over two hours while he presented his briefing to Dakota. When he was done, she had a better understanding of where he wanted to lead the company.

“So, how soon can you make yourself available to go down and check things out?”

“Immediately,” she replied.

“Great. How about Friday?”

Dakota nodded. “That’s fine.”

“How long do you think you’ll need for your evaluation?”

“Normally it takes a few days to conduct interviews, do an inspection and tour the facility on my own. I’d like to interact with the guests, as well. You know, ask some questions and get their impressions. From there I’ll put together a design briefing on the proposed changes.”

They finalized arrangements before Logan stood up to leave.

“I’ll have my travel agent contact you immediately.”

“That’ll be fine.”

“Great. I’ll see you Friday. I’m looking forward to your visit.”

“Me, too.”

No sooner had Logan left than Susan came into Dakota’s office.

“That went well.”

“It sure did,” Dakota said with a smile.

“I stand corrected. Apparently, you will be able to handle working with Logan.”

“Told you. By the way, I’ll be going to Jamaica on Friday.”

Susan sighed. “Warm breezes, breathtaking views, sun and pristine sand. Oh, I wish I were going. It’s about time I had another island fling.”

“Another?” Dakota laughed. “You mean the first one, don’t you?”

Susan leaned back in her chair. “A girl can dream, can’t she? Jamaica is a wonderful place to kindle a romance.” Her gaze rested on Dakota. “Or rekindle one.”

Dakota blushed. “I wouldn’t know. Logan and I only kissed once. We never had a romance, so there’s no fire to stoke.”

Her friend’s gaze missed nothing. “But you wanted one.”

* * *

Adrian dug his hand into the bowl of Hunter Mix. He chewed softly and then washed it down with a swig of his beer. “So, how’s your Win Dakota Back plan going?”

Logan put his feet up on his coffee table and regarded his cousin. “It’s a bit early for status updates, isn’t it?”

Adrian shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. Things could be progressing at an alarming pace for all I know.”

“Nope, but then I knew that going in. I’m not putting time limits on anything. Dakota and I have a lot of ground to cover.”

“Don’t I know it,” Adrian said with a wry smile. “You should’ve seen how long it took Milán and me to declare a truce, but when we did…”

Logan held up a hand. “Spare me the details.”

“It’s not what you think. We were friends quite a while before anything turned serious.”

“Yeah, well, Dakota and I aren’t even that. She is amicable toward me, but that’s strictly for work purposes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I am. She’s only tolerating being in the same room with me because of the resort. Trust me, I’m under no illusions on that score.”

“I’m no stranger to work being the only tie that binds, believe me. I’m not going to lie, you do have your work cut out for you, but she’ll come around.”

Logan grabbed a handful of nuts. “Hope springs eternal.”

“Speaking of eternal, has my mother been pressing you to wade out into the dating pool?”

“Constantly, but I remain immune.”

Adrian shook his head. “I love my mother dearly, but sometimes her idea of boundaries is comical.”

“I’m seeing that, but don’t worry about me. I’ll be in Jamaica with Dakota for the next few days, so I’ll be off the radar.”

“Logan, you could be in the Antarctic, and you’d still be on Norma Jean’s radar.”

He laughed at that. “True.” He was silent for a few moments but then had to ask, “So, has Dakota been dating anyone?”

“Not that I know of. Why else would my mother be trying so hard to fix her up?”

That bit of news did not sit well with Logan. Up until that point, he had assumed that the only love life Norma Jean was interested in was his. “Has she been successful?”

“About as successful as she’s been getting you to go on a date.”

Dakota being romantically involved with another man was not on the list of things he enjoyed thinking about. A few times over the years, he had returned to find her in a relationship. Logan had been cordial, but it bothered him. Considering that he was the one who bolted, he knew it was hypocritical to be troubled by it, but his heart did not always agree with his head—especially where she was concerned.

Adrian waved his hand in front of his cousin’s face a few times. “Dude, how long are you going to sit here daydreaming about her?”

“What? Sorry, didn’t hear you,” Logan replied, but what he wanted to say was, as long as it takes.