Read Online Only in My Dreams by Darcy Burke - Free Book Online Page B

soon.”
    Dylan shut his laptop and slid it back into its case. “Great, thanks again for the opportunity. Talk to you soon.”
    He would’ve shaken their hands, but he didn’t want to touch Sara. That wasn’t exactly true. He did want to touch her. But knew it wasn’t a good idea, not if they were going to be working together.
    With a final glance at Sara, he strode outside, where the rain had ceased and the sun had broken through the clouds again. He climbed into his truck and set his laptop on the passenger seat.
    Instead of firing up the engine, he stared at the monastery, or at least the church portion where they’d held the meeting. The presentation had gone as well as he could’ve hoped, despite Sara’s presence. But really, why did her presence matter? They’d had a mutually agreeable one-night stand. Couldn’t they also be coworkers?
    Except they wouldn’t be coworkers. She’d be his boss.
    Holy hell .
    He ran his hand through his hair. He was overthinking this. She wouldn’t hold the one-night stand against him. She might, however, deem him unqualified. Of the three of them, she’d seemed the most skeptical, the most concerned with his lack of experience, at least with the larger phases two and three. Maybe he should’ve worked harder to convince her.
    Yeah, he should do that. He climbed back out of his truck and started toward the monastery, his shoes squishing in the soft mud and making him wish he’d worn his work boots. The door opened and Sara walked out toward him. They both slowed, blinked at each other.
    Unlike him, she was dressed for their surroundings: knee-high black and pink rain boots—of course; dark blue skinny jeans; and a long, khaki sweater belted at her waist. She came toward him. “Hey.”
    â€œHey.” He turned, taking a couple of steps until they stopped a few feet apart. “I wish I’d known you were going to be here today.”
    She tipped her head to the side. “Would that have affected your presentation?”
    â€œNo. It was just a surprise to see you.”
    â€œSorry, I didn’t mean to ambush you. I figured you knew. Hayden’s been handling the communications aspect with the bids.” She fiddled with a pair of bracelets that fell over her hand, reminding him of the bangles she’d been wearing that night at Sidewinders. Which in turn reminded him of the necklace . . . Damn, he needed to clear those thoughts right out of his head.
    â€œIt’s fine,” he said, now wondering why he’d climbed out of his truck in the first place. To convince her to hire him. Right. “Listen, I wanted to come back and tell you that I’m the best guy for this job.”
    She nodded slowly. “We still have another presentation tomorrow, but you’re a great candidate. For phase one.”
    He gritted his teeth in frustration. “Are you even going to consider me for the other phases?”
    â€œI don’t know. We’re not quite there yet.”
    â€œListen, I don’t want what happened—”
    â€œIt won’t.” She cut him off, color highlighting her cheeks. “Any decision I make won’t be personal.”
    He was relieved their . . . indiscretion wouldn’t affect her judgment. But it didn’t change his resolve to win her over. “You’ll have our undivided attention. I can guess who else will bid, and while they have proven track records, they’ll be slower because of their infrastructure. They’re going to promise you eighteen months and stretch toward two years. I’m promising fifteen months—depending on your schedule—and I’m going to deliver. My guys and I will work the extra time, put in the added effort, we’ll give a whole level of attention and commitment those firms won’t—or can’t. Plus, we’re here. If there’s a problem, I’m only a five-minute drive