Page 56 of One Night Stand After Another
Zane had found her blog. Mentally, she reviewed her posts and inwardly groaned. She’d basically put her heart right on her blog like she’d stitched it into his socks. She’d been so shocked by the way Zane had put her designs on display to Jimmy that she hadn’t thought about what it meant that he’d read them or how she’d revealed her emotions in the text. No wonder Zane had thought they had a chance for more.
Since he was Zane—competitive, aggressive, daring—he’d fully committed to his idea. He’d offered her everything he thought she wanted, having no idea why she might be afraid to take the chance with him. She hadn’t told him until it was too late. In fact, she’d only told him about her fears because she was saying goodbye and wouldn’t ever have to discuss it with him again. Cowardly, she realized. But now what?
Jimmy closed his laptop. “I read all of your blog posts last night.”
She looked up. “All of them?” There were hundreds.
He nodded. “I’m fascinated by your approach to design. Your fondness for security comes across clearly. You stick to traditional items, and yet—because of the colors and yarns you choose, they become something new. Unique. Unexpected. Playing it safe works very well for you.”
Then why did she feel like he was chiding her? “Thank you.” She picked up the pace so she could keep her gaze on her work.
Her fingers practically flew through the stitches, but her mind moved even faster. She’d always resented Zane for humiliating her and blamed him for making her want to disappear. She’d abandoned her plan to live near the beach and seek inspiration in nature and used the money for college. She shook her head, hardly able to believe taking off on a creative spree and not going to college had ever been a dream of hers.
Unless it hadn’t.
She keenly remembered the enormous relief she’d felt accepting the University at Buffalo’s admission offer. She’d attributed it to getting out of the city and away from Breeze, Jack, and Zane. Now it seemed clear as day that she’d wanted a safer option, a more secure future. Where had she even gotten the idea of traveling and knitting in the first place?
Her cheeks heated as she remembered.My father.She hadn’t always believed he was at fault in her parents’ marriage. In her early years, she’d idealized his artistic talent and wanted to be like him. Thank goodness, practicality had asserted itself at a critical moment. Otherwise, she might have blown twenty grand with nothing to show for it. Where would she be if she hadn’t gone to college? She certainly wouldn’t be in a position to make her dream come true.
Her hands halted.
But what was her dream now? When she’d packed her bag to attend Jack’s wedding, it had been to win an accountant position at Fiber Kingdom, so she could live near the beach and eventually find a home for her designs.
But what did she want now?
She looked up at Jimmy and found him watching her, his expression somehow both sharp and gentle. “Forgive an old man for wondering if there isn’t a way to play it safe…while also creating something new—and unexpected. It all depends on what you want to do with your life.”
“Are you a mind reader?” she asked. “I was just thinking about that.”
He chuckled. “Not a mind reader. But I’ve struggled with a similar problem. My solution was to build two very different businesses, one to indulge my creative impulses, the other to make me rich. I’m glad you’re considering your options. Let me know when you’re ready to hear my offer.”
Her heart skipped a beat and then began to pound. Traveling with Zane had expanded her horizons. Did she want her own Yarn Heaven? An alpaca farm with a herd of Freddies? Her heart skipped and stuttered at the variables involved with any of those ventures. She took slow, steady breaths until she felt calm. She knew what she wanted. She was just afraid to take the risk.
The first sock was done. She glanced over at Jimmy, who gave her a nod and a distracted smile, seemingly immersed in a spreadsheet now. She cast on for the other sock.
By the time she was searching through the pile on the table to find embroidery floss to stitch bright red hearts inside the cuffs of Jimmy’s socks, she had a plan.
And it was a risk.
But not nearly as much of a risk as not believing in herself.
Her dream had changed, thanks to Zane. She’d ruined her chance at something more with him, but she’d learned from her mistake. She was going to take this risk, grab this unexpected chance to change her life for the better with both hands. She had an MBA, an awesome website, and talent—and she knew it.
She tucked the final knot under the last heart and raised her head. “I’m ready.”
Jimmy met her gaze head-on. “What if I offered you a job with Fiber Kingdom, sourcing high-end product and designing one-of-a kind pieces for the Rodeo Drive showroom, with full benefits, a weekly paycheck, and a two-year contract? Would you take it?”
She repeated his earlier words with a big smile, “Yes and no.”
…
Zane had canceled their dinner reservations at Roman’s Beach House last night and flown to Chicago to collect his vehicle. He sat in the hotel bar, staring morosely at the liquor bottles and trying not to smell the scent of chocolate from the lobby. It was everywhere.
The Peninsula bar was hopping. Apparently, it was margarita night and the bartender claimed he could make anything. Zane had challenged him to mix a margarita that would make him forget his entire week. After one sip, he was pretty sure the enormous, hot-pink beverage in front of him was strong enough to make him forget the entire year. “What is it?”
“Prickly pear,” the bartender replied with a grin. “Gotta be sweet to hide the booze.”
Zane nodded and took a deep drink. “Perfect.”
