Read Online Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton - Free Book Online Page B

needed her approval or input before the wedding. We had lots to discuss, but foremost was getting a better idea of when she was coming back.
    “Wow, you’re here early,” she exclaimed, shrugging out of her coat and unwrapping her scarf.
    I arched an eyebrow at her. “Hey, my boss is all over the map—she’s getting married this weekend, you know. Figured I better nab her while I could.”
    She sighed, sinking down into her chair. “Have I been a bridezilla?”
    “Nah, I’d characterize you more like the phantom boss,” I joked.
    “Watch it, Reynolds; I’d hate to have to write up my maid of honor for insubordination,” she warned, a twinkle in her eye but enough steel to tell me I was pushing it. “So I read your list. It’s long.”
    “It is. And I can handle practically everything on there. I just need to know what your plans are, and what your expectations are of me so I can manage things.”
    “I know, kiddo; sorry I’ve been a little absent lately. Who knew weddings had so many arms and legs?” She grinned. “I can’t wait to watch when you go through all this. It’s a lot to have on your plate.” She picked up the list and grabbed a pen.
    “When I go through this?” I asked, my breathing going a little, well, breathy.
    “Sure. Don’t you think you and Simon are heading that way eventually?” she asked, putting on her glasses and positioning them so she could look down at me. Cheeky.
    “Um, I don’t, well, I mean, how can I, Jillian!” I stuttered, blood rushing to my face at the thought. Picket fence territory.
    “Whoa, strike a nerve there?” she asked, a twinkle growing in her eye. “Don’t you think Simon’s the marrying kind?”
    “I don’t . . . I mean . . . he’s never had a relationship longer than the one he’s currently in, I don’t think we need to push the issue, and besides, it’s good the way it is now and—I don’t know that I, I mean, what if I don’t want—”
    “Easy there, Trigger, settle down.” She grinned, pleased that she’d rattled me off course.
    “Okay, this isn’t what we’re here to talk about this morning. We need to go through this list and put out some fires, and I need to know when you’re coming back from your honeymoon, woman!” Simon and me getting married. Pffft.
    “Not sure,” she said calmly.
    “Wait, what ?”
    “We’re not sure when we’re coming back. Wanna house-sit too?”
    “House-sit too?” I asked, my eyes crossing.
    She sighed, sitting back in her chair.
    “The thing is, Caroline, I need a break. I love my job, you know how much this business means to me, and I’m so very proud that I’ve been able to carve out a niche for myself. But I need a break, and Benjamin and I just want to go wherever we feel like for a while. Does that make any sense?”
    It made perfect sense. A gorgeous man and his gorgeous new bride, with all that money burning a hole in their bonds or funds or whatever really wealthy people had their money in. They wanted to see the world while they were young enough and sexy enough to do it right.
    Hell, I’d do it if I had the chance. A never-ending vacation with Simon? Gondola rides in Venice? Yodeling in Saint Moritz? Fucking in Frankfurt?
    But I couldn’t afford to think like that. I had to think about the person left behind, the person left behind holding the design bag. How could Jillian Designs function without Jillian?
    “I’ve already talked to my accountant, who can walk you through any weird payroll issues that might come up. And it’s not like I’ll be in a cave somewhere. We’ll do weekly conference calls; I can assist with whatever you need. You’ll see, it’ll be fine,” she assured me, her face filled with a confidence in me that I didn’t share.
    Could I do this? Jillian seemed to think so. Plus I’d have a new intern. I didn’t want to say no, not when I knew she was counting on me.
    This is too much.
    This is also an opportunity. One that would likely never