Paige was ashamed of herself. What had gotten into her? When she saw Sterling washing Julie’s feet, she almost throttled them both right there. He was so tender with her. His hands were incredible, strong and gentle at the same time. She knew Julie was interested in him, but it almost seemed that he felt the same way. And what if he did? She was the one with a schoolyard crush. That’s all it was. She had to get over this if she wanted to offer him a permanent position, which she did. He was fabulous with the goats and incredible with the customers. But after the way she had behaved that morning, what were the chances he would want to work with her?
As they drove, she peeked sideways to the passenger seat. His eyes were closed, and there was no expression on his face. He obviously didn’t want to talk to her. Who could blame him? She was a hypocrite. Accusing him of selling her soap by flirting and then forcing him to do just that. She imagined having a display at a big department store with foot washers. It would be tacky and tasteless. Her soap was better than that. When Lindon Beauty Cakes got into department stores, they should reflect the quality of her family name. But, that was years away. First she had to hire some help.
At the post office Paige realized they hadn’t spoken a word in the car. She broke the ice. “You can stay here, if you want. I’ll take care of it.” As she stepped from the vehicle, she hoped he’d be a gentleman and at least help with the front door while she balanced the heavy boxes and carried them inside, but she could see through the windshield that he hadn’t moved.
Getting the orders in the mail felt like a huge weight off her shoulders. Back at the Honda she hopped in the driver’s seat and turned the key. The sound of the engine coming to life nearly made Sterling leap from his seat. She laughed.
He ran a hand over his face and gave three wide blinks. “Sorry, I guess I’m more tired than I thought.”
She should have realized he’d been asleep. “No wonder. I never should have started that washing thing.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “I have officially been cured of my foot fetish.” He closed his eyes.
She wanted to let him rest, but she couldn’t. Something still annoyed her about the day. Certainly, she hadn’t behaved well, but from the way Julie and Sterling were talking, it was like they knew each other. Julie was insulated in a world of high fashion and elite friends. He said he was out of work, and judging by his clothes didn’t come from money. The two didn’t compute.
Paige turned left and pulled into a parking slot in front of a little Thai place. She swiveled his direction and tried to sound firm but not accusatory. “How do you know Julie?”
Sterling didn’t know what to say. Could he out and out lie to her? He knew he couldn’t, but he couldn’t tell the truth either. What would happen if he ripped off the scab right now and confessed everything? You see, my boss set me up with Julie a few weeks ago. That’s the same boss who told me to investigate your business for a possible takeover even though I don’t think there is any legal way to purchase a sole proprietorship like this against your will, but she could find a one. That’s what she does. Oh, and by the way, I’m not a poor unemployed hick but make over 300k a year and hope to quadruple that with my next deal which I am getting because I’m lying to you right now.
Her next question was louder. “Did she grow up in Dallas too? Is that how you know her?”
He bobbled his head and opened the car door. “Huh.” The gesture was meant to put her off, but Paige took it as assent.
A bright grin spread across her face. “I bet she was a wild teenager.”
“Yeah.” He couldn’t do it. He wouldn’t lie to her. As they met on the sidewalk, he took her arm. “Paige, I dated her once but just once.”
Only a trace of her smile remained. “That’s okay.”
“Truth is, I’d rather be right where I am than anywhere else in the world.” He meant it. Every word. He watched as her empty smile widened and seemed to fill every part of her.
Lunch flew by. They recanted the events of the last two days as though those were the only days that mattered.
She laughed as she recalled their meeting. “I couldn’t believe how much Austin admired you. What’s up with that?”
“I admire him more. He’s obviously a great judge of character.” He raised his glass to her, and she met it.
“I know he is.” She took a sip and set the cup down. “That’s the only reason I trusted you.”
A tinge of guilt skittered across the back of his mind. He’d have to give Austin a good position if Earth Tech came through.
She pointed to Sterling with her chopsticks. “You got me good when you pretended you couldn’t milk, too.”
He took a slurp of curry. “I hadn’t done it for twelve years, so I didn’t want to disappoint.”
“You haven’t disappointed me at all. Quite the opposite.” She grew serious. “I want you to consider staying on full time. You won’t get rich, but you’ll have enough for your own apartment and can earn more as we grow. You’ve got such a good nose for business, I know you’d be an incredible asset.”
That was the understatement of the century. He’d never heard of his Stanford doctorate referred to as a nose for business, but it was nice to hear the compliment all the same. “Let’s take this one step at a time.”
The light in her face dimmed. “If that’s what you want.”
He grasped her hand across the table. “I’m yours for twenty-four hours. Use me well.”
“I will,” was all she said. She lowered her eyes and began eating her lunch.
He could tell she was disappointed, but that’s all he had to give. He scanned her corkscrew curls, sparkling eyes and genuine smile. Though she may not be great investment material, she certainly was intriguing, and Sterling planned on enjoying getting to know her with every minute he had left.