It Started in Paradise

by Nicki Night

  “He’s much better. Resting his ankle. Thanks for asking.”

  Jacqueline placed a hand over her heart. “Thank goodness.” Moving her hand, she said, “Let’s continue. What have you got for me?” Jacqueline clasped her hands together.

  Joliet started speaking while Donovan opened the portfolio. “Besides the information you provided, we did a little research and are sure you’ll find our offering impressive.”

  The three of them stood over the conference table as Joliet and Donovan laid out the pictures of decorative options, swatches of linens, floral and menu samples and the information regarding the golf course Jacqueline inquired about in their meeting at Josephina’s the other night. Joliet explained the thought behind each choice presented.

  “This looks wonderful. I think the brunch and golf tournament will make this a weekend to remember. To be honest, I’ve been trying to think of a way to take this from a one-night event to a weekend full of activities. It all came to me Friday morning when I recalled that beautiful golf course next to your place. That’s one of the reasons I asked for the last-minute meeting. It’s a great way to bring more money to the foundation. I figured we could start with the golfing event this year. Next year, I could switch it up and include something on one of those fabulous yachts on the marina near Chandlers. This will be great!”

  “It sounds like we’re ready to move forward,” Donovan nudged.

  Jacqueline looked up at him from across the table. A smile teased the corners of her lips. After a moment of overtly washing her eyes over him, she held her hand out. “Looks like we have a deal.” They shook. Jacqueline removed her hand from his slowly before turning to shake Joliet’s hand.

  Joliet discreetly gave Donovan a knowing smile. He knew that Joliet would tease him later about the fact that Jacqueline was obviously sweet on him.

  Pulling a contract from her bag, Joliet sat and began reviewing the terms. After finalizing a date, which was in just a few weeks, Jacqueline signed in all the necessary places and they all shook hands again.

  “Looks like we’re done just in time for my next meeting.” Joliet looked at her watch.

  Donovan felt his chest tighten. He wondered if they would see Chloe and El on their way out. He needed to see Chloe.

  “We’ll be in touch.” Joliet nodded as they headed out of the conference room.

  Donovan’s apprehension grew a little more with each step toward the front of the office. The small talk between Jacqueline and his mother droned in the background. Without seeing Chloe, he sensed her. Anticipating her presence, he was deflated when she wasn’t already waiting up front.

  Jacqueline gave her final greeting and directed her attention to her receptionist. Donovan pushed the door open for his mother to exit and found El standing on the other side. Chloe’s scent reached him. He looked past El to find Chloe standing behind her.

  She was beautiful. He missed her immediately but remembered he was confused by the distance she’d put between them without explanation in the past few days. He couldn’t distinguish the look in her eyes, but thought it best to address their issues in private later.

  “Pardon me.” El came through the door, mouth pursed in irritation.

  “Ms. Chandler.” Donovan was polite. He nodded cordially despite her aloof demeanor.

  El didn’t respond. She continued past him and paused. Donovan turned back to find her and Joliet standing face-to-face. It seemed they were in competition to see whose chin could be held higher. All movement ceased as they stared at each other. Seconds ticked by as if time had morphed into slow motion. Jacqueline continued chatting with her receptionist, oblivious to the tension that filled the air like thick noxious smoke.

  Donovan couldn’t be concerned about their age-old rivalry. Leaving them to their staring match, he turned to Chloe, using those brief moments to try to read her. Chloe’s eyes narrowed at first but she quickly recovered, shifting to a stoic expression.

  “Hello, Chloe,” Donovan finally said.

  “Donovan.” She nodded and turned her focus elsewhere.

  “Well!” Jacqueline’s tone cut through the tension. “You’re here!” she proclaimed. “We can go right into the conference room.” She started in that direction.

  El whipped her head and followed Jacqueline toward the back without saying a single word to Joliet or Donovan.

  “Gladly. We’re very excited to present our package to you.” El’s voice sounded as if it were off in the distance to Donovan.

  He kept his focus on Chloe. Their eyes connected again, Donovan’s held questions but Chloe averted hers and fell in step behind her mother.

  “Hello, Mrs. Rivers,” Chloe said and smiled. His mother received a warm greeting from Chloe but Donovan didn’t.

  At least he knew for sure that something was up. He would no longer be plagued by uncertainty. He walked to the car preoccupied with his discovery, wondering what triggered this change in Chloe. Had he said something? Done something? He couldn’t recall. And if he had, why wouldn’t she simply tell him? Hadn’t they cleared the lines of communication as much as they spoke?

  Absently, he opened the door for his mother, rounded the car and drove back to the catering hall. Donovan intended to find out what Chloe’s problem was by the end of the night. He needed answers.

  Chapter 21

  Chloe watched El struggle to maintain her composure when Jacqueline told her that she had decided to go with La Belle Riviere for the gala. Jacqueline wouldn’t have sensed it but Chloe knew her mother. Jacqueline went on to explain that she wanted to meet again soon because she was very interested in Chandlers for possible future events. At that point, Chloe didn’t believe El was listening. The tightness of her grin was a clear indication that there was no joy behind that facade.

  “Thank you so much, Elnora.” Jacqueline shook El’s hand and turned. “Chloe.” She nodded. “And I look forward to working with you in the future.”

  “You’re quite welcome,” El said as she clenched her jaw. “Call us whenever you’re ready.”

  “And thank you for the opportunity to present to you,” Chloe added.

  Jacqueline moved toward the door. “I’ll walk you out.” El and Chloe followed behind. “Have a wonderful day,” Jacqueline said when they reached the door.

  “And you do the same.” El walked out and moved swiftly toward the car.

  Chloe took a deep breath before entering the car. She thought about Donovan and Jacqueline in the restaurant the other night. The memory of Jacqueline’s fingers caressing the back of Donovan’s hand came to the forefront. Chloe huffed and entered the car.

  El slammed her door hard. “I want to know what Joliet did to get this contract. I wouldn’t put anything past that woman.”

  Chloe wondered if Donovan was the apple that fell near his mother’s underhanded tree. “Why? Do you suspect Mrs. Rivers did something to sabotage us getting the contract?” She started the car and slowly pulled into traffic.

  El looked straight ahead, straightened her posture and settled into her seat.

  “Ma. Would Mrs. Rivers do something like that?” Chloe needed to know. Perhaps Donovan earned his tactics honestly. What if his mother put him up to it? Did that family have any integrity?

  El still hadn’t responded. Chloe wondered why she remained so tight-lipped now. She’d been carrying on about Joliet since forever.

  Chloe left her question hanging. It was obvious El didn’t feel like talking. This wasn’t the first time they had lost a lucrative contract but Joliet wasn’t the person they’d lost to either. That made all the difference.

  When Chloe thought about it further, she was almost relieved. With all the time she’d been investing into putting together this reception, adding the gala would have made her workload practically unbearable. They still had to run the daily op
eration as well as the events that had already been booked. Losing that contract could have been a blessing in disguise.

  “I don’t trust that woman,” El finally responded as Chloe maneuvered the car toward the highway. “Never did.”

  “Why?” Chloe asked. She wanted to know what was between those women. She needed to know, but El went back to her silent stance.

  The remainder of their workday carried a stifling weight of defeat. Gone was the normal banter. Heads were down. Work was done. Coworkers hardly spoke.

  That same atmosphere followed Chloe home at the end of her day. However, in additional to dealing with the loss and her mother’s anger, Chloe was torn. She wanted to cast all thoughts about Donovan aside but couldn’t. Regardless of how much distance she’d put between her and Donovan this past weekend, she still longed for him.

  Random thoughts and feelings haunted her. She could be driving home and hear the deep timbre of Donovan’s voice, whispering in her ear as clearly as if he were right there in the car. Chloe could be walking through the corridors at work and feel Donovan’s caress along her cheek or his hand imprinted in the small of her back. Images of her lying in his strong arms showed up behind her eyelids like a live stream.

  Chloe tried to shake all these things away but still wanted to be his butterfly. Chloe missed him, fiercely.

  Reminding herself of his betrayal, she called on the memory of him sitting in that restaurant with Jacqueline pining over him. The look on her mother’s face and the sinking feeling she felt immediately after Jacqueline told them she chose to go with his family’s venue was another reminder of why she shouldn’t yearn for him.

  None of it worked. Her body still craved his touch.

  Chloe made it home and headed straight to her backyard in search of solace. She’d created the space to be her sanctuary and right now she needed to be wrapped in some sense of ease.

  Chloe stepped out of her shoes, walked along the paved path to the bench amid her garden. She inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of lavender and mint. Closing her eyes, she focused on the soothing sounds of the water gurgling from the fountain, until that was all she could hear. She stayed that way for a moment, breathing evenly.

  Chloe felt something soft brush against her leg. Her eyes popped open and she looked down in time to see a beautiful monarch butterfly flurry way. Instantly, Donovan came to mind. Never mind the fact she’d had her gardener plant a host of lavender, daylilies, sage and zinnias to attract the insects. Chloe huffed, wishing she could turn off her feelings with the flick of a switch.

  Chloe got up and headed to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. As she turned on the fire, the bell rang. Not feeling up to having company, Chloe sighed and trudged to the living room. She inhaled and exhaled sharply when she saw Donovan outside her door. For a moment she thought about not answering. Donovan’s next knock was more persistent. Chloe stood still another moment before opening the door.

  The two of them stood there staring at one another. A rush of emotions sailed through Chloe, causing her breath to catch. Seeing his face so close reminded her of how much she missed him. A part of Chloe wanted to wrap her arms around his neck, the other part wanted to slap him for making a fool of her. Right there, she questioned how she could allow herself to fall for him.

  “Chloe,” Donovan spoke first.

  His voice pulled her from the emotional wrestling match. She remembered to be mad. “Yes.” Her tone was short.

  Donovan’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Are you going to invite me in?”

  Chloe huffed, stepped aside and let him pass. Closing the door behind her, she headed back to the kitchen to check on her hot water for her tea before returning to her yard. If she was going to have a conversation with Donovan, she needed to be in her sanctuary.

  Chloe gestured for him to have a seat. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “I’m fine.” Donovan rubbed his chin pensively, before looking over at her. “What’s going on, Chloe?”

  “You tell me, Donovan.” She sat back.

  Donovan shrugged, looking clueless. “Did I do something or say something to offend you?”

  Chloe sighed and looked away. She wondered if opening up was worth it. Donovan’s obliviousness seemed sincere but she refused to be taken for a fool.

  “I’ve been trying to catch up to you all weekend,” Donovan continued. “You’re not answering my texts or returning my calls and when you do, you’re short with me. Is this because I asked you to tell your family about us?”

  Was he really oblivious as to why she was angry? Chloe wondered.

  “That has nothing to do with it.” Chloe swallowed. “Congratulations on winning the contract. Could that have anything to do with your dinner with Jacqueline the other night? Is that why you canceled our plans?” Chloe stood. Her emotions rushed her. She tried to keep them at bay.

  Donovan stood as well. “What?”

  “I saw you, Donovan.” The dam gave in to the pressure of her emotions. Her hands trembled. “My sisters and I were at the restaurant. The two of you were all over each other. I never expected you to be underhanded. Dinner on a Friday night and the contract offer on Monday morning. I guess if I were an attractive man willing to use my sex appeal in unconscionable ways, we could have secured that contract ourselves.” She hated losing control. She willed her tears not to spill in front of Donovan. It took all of this for her to realize how much she truly cared for him.

  Donovan looked left and right before recognition flashed in his eyes. “What?” His tone was incredulous. “Chloe. No! This is not what you’re thinking.” Donovan began to explain. “That dinner was business. The only reason I went was because my mother went to the emergency room with my father. She asked me to take the meeting for her.”

  Chloe didn’t know whether or not to believe him.

  A contemplative look deepened the lines in his face. With hands planted on his head, Donovan walked a circle around himself. “You think I seduced Jacqueline to win the contract?” Donovan said with creased brows and a finger pointed sharply in her direction.

  Chloe folded her arms but didn’t speak a word.

  “Answer me, Chloe,” he demanded, stepping closer.

  “Did you?” Chloe’s tone wasn’t as harsh but she didn’t back down.

  “You’re accusing me of...” Donovan paused and reared back, tilting his head sideways. “You really think I’m capable of that?” He seemed genuinely hurt. Slowly he sat back down in the chair.

  Chloe grunted. “Truthfully I don’t know, Donovan.” Chloe bit back the rest of what she wanted to say. She didn’t have enough information to accuse him of taking after his mother. She looked at Donovan, shaking his head. The painful expression in his eyes made her second-guess her position. To avoid acting unreasonably, she decided to cut the conversation short. “I... I don’t know. Maybe we should just forget about all this,” she said, referring to more than their current squabble. “It’s all too much.”

  “Is that what you want?” he asked.

  There was a pleading in Donovan’s voice that reached Chloe’s heart. She couldn’t bring herself to say yes even though she thought that it was best. Even if she was wrong about his intentions with Jacqueline, how could she tell her family about Donovan now? It would be easier to just part ways. She could let this tiff be the catalyst for their demise. Eventually, she’d get over her yearning for his touch, their conversations and the way he referred to her as his butterfly.

  “Is. This. What. You. Want.” Donovan spoke deliberately as if he’d been speaking to someone who didn’t know the language. He stood inches from her.

  Chloe couldn’t bring herself to look in his face. Sure, she wanted Donovan but she couldn’t say it. It would take too much. Wrapping her arms around herself, she nodded only slightly.

  Donovan stood in f
ront of her for a moment before backing away. Chloe tried to avoid his eyes as he gradually pulled out his keys, fiddled with them for a moment before stepping back. She didn’t move but watched through her periphery as he walked through her home and out her front door. She wanted to stop him from leaving but didn’t.

  The sound of the door closing startled Chloe. She flinched, held herself tighter and finally let the tears fall.

  Chapter 22

  Donovan’s emotions had surged to a red-hot peak. He didn’t want to, but thought it best to leave Chloe’s house when he did. Both of them needed to calm down.

  Donovan had never been accused of acting without integrity, especially when it came to business. He considered himself a stand-up man. As annoyed as she’d just made him, he couldn’t accept this as the end. Proving himself wasn’t something he ever felt compelled to do, but somehow he needed Chloe to know that his intentions were never short of noble.

  Worst of all, the timing was horrible. Chloe had seen him at that restaurant. Donovan had been careful not to lead Jacqueline on but she’d been so blatant in her flirting that from a distance, one couldn’t tell that he wasn’t a willing party. Though he understood how his dinner with Jacqueline could be misconstrued, he still couldn’t believe that Chloe thought he was capable of being so dastardly.

  Donovan would have to be the one to fix this and he was up to the challenge. He wanted Chloe. The time they’d spent together in the past few months only deepened his desire for her. He had never been one to run at a hint of trouble. He’d dug his heels in when he told her that he was no longer interested in keeping their relationship a secret. Donovan had tired of that secret long before.

  Giving up now wasn’t an option. In order for their relationship to be what he’d envisioned, he needed answers from Chloe and his mother.

  Donovan turned left at the next light instead of right and headed toward his parents’ home. He was going to get answers tonight. There was no way he’d allow their issues of the past to hinder his plans for the future. If they weren’t willing to get on board Team Donovan and Chloe, then they would have to move forward without their blessing. He meant that for Chloe’s parents also.