Read Online Tangled in Tulle: Tulle and Tulips, Book 1 by Nikki Duncan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Nikki Duncan
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break.”
“Who says you’ll have to?”
Trevor leaned against the wall in the hall outside the double glass doors newly etched with a long-stemmed tulip, vibrant purple in hue with the petals just opening. The artist had balanced the bloom so perfectly it seemed to quiver at eye level with the stem stretching down, with three delicate leaves.
The stems disappeared at the bottom of the floor behind white and ivory ripples of fabric and lace. The business name, Tulle and Tulips Designer Weddings, floated above the etched fabric with the tails of scripty letters just barely brushing the fabric.
He’d seen a sketch of the doors, but what he’d visualized was drastically less elegant than the finished product.
His banker—his dad—had practically wept at the amount of money he’d put into an account for her. Lori had only smiled, said thank you and set about turning her visions into reality. And much to his surprise, despite their blatant curiosity, neither his mom nor his dad had been by to check out Lori or her new venture.
The time would come though. Soon.
“If you’re waiting for her to come out,” Misty said as she exited the shop, “you should invest in a cot.”
“Work that late will she?”
“Yeah.” Glancing over her shoulder toward the out of sight friend she’d just left, Misty moved closer. “I don’t know you, Trevor.”
“But?”
“But I’m glad you’ve made this possible for Lori. She needed…” She trailed off, shifting her feet as if she wouldn’t continue. She didn’t for a long while. “Life hasn’t been kind to Lori. She’s more fragile than she seems.”
He figured as much. “And putting this business together as quickly as possible is her current therapy.”
Misty’s head popped back in surprise. “You say that as if you understand her.”
“Life stopped showing me kindness for a while.” Until Lori walked back into it. “Work is a natural and relatively safe refuge.” Numbers and plans didn’t betray you and when you signed checks with enough zeroes people forgave most overzealous demands.
Though from what he’d heard, Lori hadn’t quite reached levels he’d been known for and the workers on her job were as eager to get started each day as they were willing to stay late if needed. It made sense. According to a shared insight during dinner the other night, Lori’s granddad had worked in construction, so she understood the demands of the work. Understood them doubly since he had died when she was ten because a builder in a rush had cut safety corners.
“If you know that then maybe you could help her see how closely she’s treading the line of burnout.”
“Gladly.” He pushed off the wall and Misty headed toward the parking garage. Her challenge had been issued and accepted.
He opened the double doors with a grin stretching his cheeks. It was time for Lori Mullins to rediscover another part of her life.
“Oh, Lori. Come out, come out wherever you are.”
Her muffled “here” came from her office near the back. He headed her way, calling out as he went.
“Well get out here. We have plans.”
In her silence he could picture her scanning her memory for plans they didn’t make. When she sauntered out, the confusion he’d expected was rife on her face.
“What plans?”
“Ones that get you away from work for awhile.” Light of heart and ready to play, he conquered the remaining distance—ignoring the suspicion in her stare—grabbed her hands and pulled her flush against him.
Her head dropped back. Her mouth parted. She expected a kiss, and while her body, even her eyes, said it would be welcomed, a glimmer of her protective barrier—no more than a bracing of her shoulders really—stopped him from claiming her mouth as he’d planned. Instead, he kissed the pulse pounding below her ear, loitering for a moment to absorb the feel of her. Then he released her.
“Get what you need to lock up, but you won’t want to mess with a
“Who says you’ll have to?”
Trevor leaned against the wall in the hall outside the double glass doors newly etched with a long-stemmed tulip, vibrant purple in hue with the petals just opening. The artist had balanced the bloom so perfectly it seemed to quiver at eye level with the stem stretching down, with three delicate leaves.
The stems disappeared at the bottom of the floor behind white and ivory ripples of fabric and lace. The business name, Tulle and Tulips Designer Weddings, floated above the etched fabric with the tails of scripty letters just barely brushing the fabric.
He’d seen a sketch of the doors, but what he’d visualized was drastically less elegant than the finished product.
His banker—his dad—had practically wept at the amount of money he’d put into an account for her. Lori had only smiled, said thank you and set about turning her visions into reality. And much to his surprise, despite their blatant curiosity, neither his mom nor his dad had been by to check out Lori or her new venture.
The time would come though. Soon.
“If you’re waiting for her to come out,” Misty said as she exited the shop, “you should invest in a cot.”
“Work that late will she?”
“Yeah.” Glancing over her shoulder toward the out of sight friend she’d just left, Misty moved closer. “I don’t know you, Trevor.”
“But?”
“But I’m glad you’ve made this possible for Lori. She needed…” She trailed off, shifting her feet as if she wouldn’t continue. She didn’t for a long while. “Life hasn’t been kind to Lori. She’s more fragile than she seems.”
He figured as much. “And putting this business together as quickly as possible is her current therapy.”
Misty’s head popped back in surprise. “You say that as if you understand her.”
“Life stopped showing me kindness for a while.” Until Lori walked back into it. “Work is a natural and relatively safe refuge.” Numbers and plans didn’t betray you and when you signed checks with enough zeroes people forgave most overzealous demands.
Though from what he’d heard, Lori hadn’t quite reached levels he’d been known for and the workers on her job were as eager to get started each day as they were willing to stay late if needed. It made sense. According to a shared insight during dinner the other night, Lori’s granddad had worked in construction, so she understood the demands of the work. Understood them doubly since he had died when she was ten because a builder in a rush had cut safety corners.
“If you know that then maybe you could help her see how closely she’s treading the line of burnout.”
“Gladly.” He pushed off the wall and Misty headed toward the parking garage. Her challenge had been issued and accepted.
He opened the double doors with a grin stretching his cheeks. It was time for Lori Mullins to rediscover another part of her life.
“Oh, Lori. Come out, come out wherever you are.”
Her muffled “here” came from her office near the back. He headed her way, calling out as he went.
“Well get out here. We have plans.”
In her silence he could picture her scanning her memory for plans they didn’t make. When she sauntered out, the confusion he’d expected was rife on her face.
“What plans?”
“Ones that get you away from work for awhile.” Light of heart and ready to play, he conquered the remaining distance—ignoring the suspicion in her stare—grabbed her hands and pulled her flush against him.
Her head dropped back. Her mouth parted. She expected a kiss, and while her body, even her eyes, said it would be welcomed, a glimmer of her protective barrier—no more than a bracing of her shoulders really—stopped him from claiming her mouth as he’d planned. Instead, he kissed the pulse pounding below her ear, loitering for a moment to absorb the feel of her. Then he released her.
“Get what you need to lock up, but you won’t want to mess with a
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