Starry-Eyed Love (Spark House)

A ding comes from the front of the hotel, signaling another arrival, and Avery excuses herself to find out who it is. Harley makes small talk with Jackson while I get all my notes together and my tablet. I hadn’t planned on pulling my sisters into the meeting this time around apart from introductions. I wanted to be able to share the proposal for the charity event first, then bring them in. Now everything is upside down.

Avery returns carrying a basket. A picnic basket. Complete with a red-and-white-checkered blanket. The kind you see in movies. “There was a delivery for you, Mr. Holt.”

“For me?” He eyes the basket suspiciously and takes it from Avery.

“Would you like to set it down?” I clear a spot on my desk.

“Thank you.” He plucks the white card tucked under the blanket and flips it over, his brow furrowing for a moment before one eyebrow lifts. “Ah, it appears my assistant has sent along lunch.”

“Oh, well that was thoughtful,” I say.

“That it is.” I can’t quite read Jackson’s expression.

“I have to run to the store to pick up some supplies. Heavy ones. So I’ll need your help, Avery,” Harley declares in a very obvious way.

“Yeah. For sure. I’m with you on the heavy supply shopping. You two enjoy your lunch meeting. We’ll be back in an hour or so.”

“Or a little longer.” Harley backs up a step, still grinning.

“But shouldn’t you be here to discuss the event?” I don’t know that it’s a good idea for my sisters to leave me alone with Jackson. On a business level, I can hold my own; on a personal level, I’m a little overwhelmed by his sudden arrival.

Mentally I recognize that he’s here because we’re planning a charity event for his company, but the rest of my body seems ridiculously unaware of that and on very high alert.

“We’ll be back in plenty of time to discuss the finer details once you’ve gone over the proposal.” Harley grabs her purse. “It’s great to meet you, Jackson. Again. Thanks so much for the drinks last time.”

I want to poke her in the ribs and tell her to shut it.

“You’re more than welcome. I guess it was in the stars for us to meet again.”

“And this time London is super single,” Avery says.

“Didn’t you say you both had to go somewhere?” I shoot a glare in their direction, wishing I could mute them.

“Right. Yes. Enjoy lunch. We’ll be back in a bit.” Harley winks at me and flounces across the office, shooting a grin at Jackson on her way out.

I clasp my hands in front of me. “I’m sorry about that. My sisters can be a lot to handle.”

Jackson smiles. “I like them.”

“Me too, most of the time.” I motion to the picnic basket. “Should that be refrigerated?”

“It appears to be insulated. I can leave it here, unless there’s a better spot for it?”

“Leave it here. There’s a picnic table out back. We could eat out there since it’s such a nice day?” It’s framed as a question rather than a statement.

“That’s perfect.” He motions for me to lead the way.

I grab my tablet, so I can make notes and refer to his endless questions.

I lead Jackson through the office, pointing out Harley’s and Avery’s desks. Avery’s is a standing desk, but she also sits on an exercise ball about fifty percent of the time. Harley’s desk is neat and very organized, like a kindergarten teacher’s desk. Mine is mostly organized, apart from a few random pieces of paper and a few puffy stars that haven’t made it into the jar yet.

“Would you like a tour of the grounds first, or the hotel?” Since I didn’t expect an in-person meeting, I can’t be sure exactly how organized things are. With an event this weekend, the barn will likely be a little chaotic, but the rest of the hotel should be clean and ready.

“The grounds first, if that’s okay with you.”

“Absolutely.” I lead him through the hallway that spans the back of the house. It’s a sprawling estate with gorgeous gardens that bloom all year long.

“This is quite serene, isn’t it?” Jackson falls into step beside me as we stroll down the cobblestone path.

“My grandmother was particularly enamored with the gardens here and spent a lot of time planting them so they would be full of color all year long. We even have flowers that bloom in the winter, so there’s always color.”

“It must be quite picturesque in the winter,” Jackson observes.

“It definitely is. During the summer months, we’ll often hold weddings out here. And couples love the gazebo for engagement photographs.” I motion to the structure at the end of the path. It’s covered in blooming vines, making it the perfect romantic backdrop.

Beyond the gazebo is the fountain; wildflowers decorate the perimeter.