Page 7 of Willowbrooke
But Leo’s facade felt so different from Adam’s. Adam was insecure, but Leo seemed very confident in himself, just private. Although I supposed what they had in common was the need to hide their vulnerabilities. I knew what Adam’s were, but I had yet to discover Leo’s.
“Definitely—I take it black.” I smiled as I answered his query. The awkwardness between us was palpable, but I was determined to get past it. “I’ve done a ton of prep work to give us a head start, but I was hoping you might let me know exactly what your expectations are for me and the project, so I make sure I’m doing right by you.”
Mina had suggested the question about expectations since our arrangement was so loose and I didn’t have experience or the backing of a firm to guide me in the process. “Keep Leo West happy, and you’ll be fine,” Mina had assured me.
Leo’s face was blank. “I don’t know—I just want everything done to the highest standard.” He slid a steaming mug of coffee across the kitchen counter to me.
There was something I had been desperate to ask, and I’d told myself not to, but seeing as I still wasn’t clear on his response, I decided to use the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity. “Let me put it to you another way.” I bit my lip nervously. “You turned down every firm, every acclaimed designer in the tri-state area—why did you pick me? I’m a nobody—I have no real-world experience, just drive and passion.” I chanced a glance up at Leo.
“You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself,” Leo said quietly,maybe hoping I hadn’t heard him.
Again, I felt my heart flutter. He didn’t know me, but he seemed to respect me. I wasn’t sure what I had done to earn his respect, but I appreciated that, other than Mina, he was one of few people who had offered me encouragement.
I held my tongue, waiting for him to answer my question. Leo pursed his lips, thinking about how exactly to reply. “You were the only person that asked me what I wanted to do with the space and actually cared about what I said.”
“You never did answer the question.” I gave a humorless laugh.
“I wanted to collaborate with someone. My answer wasn’t the point, the point was that you wanted to workwithme—you didn’t want to tell me what this place should look like and go do it, without another word from me.
“This house is where I grew up. It’s belonged to my family for generations. It means something to me.” Leo’s gaze was firmly on his coffee. It was clear being this open was not easy for him. “I appreciate that this house now means something to you too. Perhaps this project can be a new beginning for both of us.”
I nodded in agreement. Our interview had seemed so short, and I was taken aback that he had gotten all of that from our exchange. But more so that he was spot-on. I did care what he thought, and I did want to work alongside him. And of course this project meant everything to me. But I hadn’t said that to him…he just understood.
Leo took a sip of his coffee, then paused, debating on saying something else. Finally, he gave in. “And I just...” His eyes met mine, gauging my reaction as he said, “...like you.”
I tried not to show it, but I’m sure he observed that I was surprised by his candor. His tone wasn’t quite suggestive, but a blush still bloomed across my cheeks.
He sensed something in me—something I didn’t see myself. But I knew then that I wanted to prove him right. I wanted to show him that he wouldn’t regret giving me a chance. And if he couldn’t see my shock at his answer, or the determination it inspired for him, despite the fact that he already seemed to be able to read me so easily, surely my pleased silence said more than enough.
“So, show me your plans,” he said.
“First, we have to open the curtains in here—I’m withering without the natural light,” I pleaded. “Unless you’re allergic to the sun?” I raised a brow in jest.
Leo sighed, but gestured toward the windows, giving me permission to proceed.
“Don’t you find it creepy and stuffy in here with them always closed?” I raised my voice to reach him across the room’s expanse, while I pulled back panel after panel.
Leo merely shrugged.
“There.” I stood back, looking at the stunning view of the back lawn and ocean beyond the cliffside, the room now bathed in natural light. “Isn’t that so much better?”
Leo remained impassive.
In the light, Leo’s face became more sallow, revealing dark circles under his eyes.
When was the last time he’d slept?
Dressed in an almost identical outfit as when I had first met him, his forearm muscles were more visible in the natural light, as well as the lean lines of his long legs in his impeccably fitted slacks.
“The plans, Penny?” Leo drummed his fingers on the countertop impatiently.
“Right!” I rushed back to the kitchen and pulled a huge stack of documents and binders from my messenger bag.
Leo’s eyes widened for a brief moment at the display.
“Okay, so what I’d like to do today is go over the game plan for the next couple weeks.” I pulled out an oversized tri-fold I’d had specially printed to show the proposed project timeline.
“You made a Gantt chart?” Leo asked—dare I say—slightly impressed.
