SEVER

more tears to shed.
“I’m sure this can all be worked out,” Samantha proclaims with misguided optimism.
“Not going to happen. The guy hasn’t touched me in over a year. Our sex life went from throw against the wall to nothing overnight. He doesn’t talk to me, and when he does, he reprimands me as if I’m an insolent child, and he seems completely unfazed by the idea of me leaving. So, you tell me whether this can all be worked out.”
“Well, he’s not cheating on you.”
I scoff. “And how would you know that?”
“Because it’s Shawn. He’s a good guy, and cheating just isn’t something he’d do.”
“I didn’t think so either, but his behavior screams otherwise.”
“Maybe you need to give him some time. Maybe you both have things you can work on to fix this. But, Blythe, they don’t come much better than Shawn.”
I eye her a moment, my blood pressure rising. “Just whose side are you on? ‘Cause it certainly doesn’t sound like my sister has my back.”
“I do have your back. I guess I’m upset that you two could be over. You have the ideal marriage. One I certainly hoped I’d have one day.”
“Had. It certainly isn’t anyone’s ideal anymore.”
4
“W hat the hell is this?”
Amanda shakes her head at the plans I’m holding. “I wish I knew, but I don’t.”
I’m back at work the following day and I’m staring at Kane Alexander’s business proposal.
“I mean… I’ve worked under strange conditions but this certainly takes the cake.”
Amanda leans closer, squinting at the paperwork. “What do you think he’s hiding?”
“I’m not sure, but whatever it is he seems to only be hiding it from me,” I say. “Clearly it’s open for business, so why the secrets?” I sit back in my chair, my mind wandering. “Did you find anything on him? Any dirt I should know about?”
“Nothing. He’s a clean bill of health. No toxic relationships. No sour business deals. Only a whole lot of sexy-as-fuck images on Google. That man’s body is… lick-worthy.”
“I’m willing to gamble he knows that already.” My mind wanders back to how the veins in his arms pulsed every time he tapped a finger on his knee. The salacious thoughts abruptly end when Shawn’s words of warning flash like a neon sign.
He’s not the man you think he is. Stay away.
“I’m declining,” I say, snapping closed his folder.
Amanda looks like I’ve slapped her. “Why on earth would you do that?”
“It’s not that I’m not tempted.” A man like Kane Alexander will pay well. So much so, I can relax a little more knowing I’m about to become a single-income household. “If not for the secrecy, I’d jump right in.” Flicking a pen between my fingers, I weigh up the pros and cons. “What if he runs a criminal organization and suddenly my name is connected to it, all because I went in blind doing his interior decorating?”
“He seems legit, Blythe. I found no dirt on the man. He deals with a whole lot of high-profile clients, so I doubt he’s got a seedy underbelly lurking which could jeopardize his whole career.”
Amanda’s phone rings from her office. She rounds my desk and heads for the door before turning back. “Seriously, though, Blythe… this is a massive compliment to your work, and you’d be a fool to reject it.” I watch as she disappears into her office, and I’m left to contemplate her words. I still, however, am not entirely convinced it’s the right thing to do.
Composing a new email, I enter Kane’s address and began my message. I know Amanda is probably right but I still can’t ignore my gut feeling. I’m a planner, not a risk taker.
Dear Mr. Alexander,
Thank you for your proposal and faith in my abilities to complete your project. Regretfully, I will have to decline your offer, as working blind is not something I’m comfortable doing at this stage.
I wish you all the very best in finding a more suitable interior decorator.
Regards,
Blythe Cooper
I review the message four times, and when I hit send, I once again lean back in my chair and heave a heavy sigh. Have I just blown an awesome opportunity? No doubt Kane Alexander has many connections—connections which could take me further than I’ve ever dreamed—but it simply isn’t worth the risk if he won’t meet me halfway. I go to stand and receive an immediate reply. My heart races when I click on the yellow envelope.
You don’t strike me as the scared type, Blythe Cooper.
Yours,
Kane Alexander
I re-read the ten words until the sentence becomes a blur. The cheek of the man. The absolute balls of him to assume I’m scared to take on his job—even though I am, he doesn’t know that, but he’s confident enough to assume. Then my eyes fall to one word. Yours.
Does he say that to everyone? It would be unusually intimate if he did.
That one word sends a shiver up my spine, and I’m yet to determine if it’s for good or bad reasons.
~
The afternoon rolls in, and I haven’t heard a word from Shawn or replied to Kane.
Would he be expecting a reply? To take the bait so I allow myself to be manipulated into saying yes?
“Amanda, I’m heading off early,” I say, hooking my bag over my shoulder. I’m on my way to view rental properties, having placed an urgency on finding one. The quicker I free myself from Shawn, the better, no matter how much my heart hurts merely thinking about it.
“Not so fast,” Amanda replies, interrupting my thoughts. “These just arrived. I was about to bring them in.” Using both hands, she lifts another exquisite bouquet onto the top counter.
“What the hell!” With my mouth agape, I admire the mass of