Page 37 of Say You'll Stay

I take a breath and try to keep my temper. “I never said I wanted boring or dull.”

“You implied it.”

My jaw clenches without a thought. She is driving me crazy. “Elsie, I get you think you’re right about these things. I find a little impertinence is needed for disagreements. I’ll even allow a bit of mockery in regard to my tastes. But just because I want traditional does not mean I want boring or dull or the Cargills yacht club.”

She looks up at me, eyes a little wider than needed. Her pink lips are parted as she thinks. Then she growls, “Yes, you do. You want something that will go along with the town’s esthetic, which means boring, dull, and that yacht club, and all the other cutesy buildings downtown. You’re looking for exactly that, and you don’t want to admit it.”

I’m standing.When did I stand?I snap, “You are the most infuriating woman I have ever dealt with, and that is saying something, I assure you. If you think for one minute that I’m going to follow the Cargills’ trend—"

She pops to her feet. “And you are the most galling snob I have ever met! So you hate the Cargills for some reason? Who cares? They are among the buildings you’re trying to blend in with, and now, you want me to do what, exactly? Mimic them while not mimicking them? Tell me what you want, Beau!”

My heart pounds, and all I can do is look at her pink lips, and I murmur, I want…”

“I’m waiting with bated breath.”

“I want you…to take this seriously.”

She frowns. “What the hell does that mean? I take my work very seriously.”

“See, I don’t think you do. If you did, you wouldn’t come to me with this poor attempt to mollify me.”

Her jaw flexes, and she spreads her fingers out like she’s pissed off. Why is she hotter when she’s pissed off? Her voice drops an octave as she says, “Beau. I worked all night Saturday, and all day Sunday on this. I thought this is what you wanted. Clearly, I was wrong. Give me a day to tweak some things, and I will see you on Wednesday—"

“That’s it?”

“What’s it?”

“You’re not…you’re giving up. Just like that?”Why am I disappointed?

“What do you mean, just like that?”

“It’s not like you to just give up, Elsie.”

Through clenched teeth, she barks, “I could argue some more, but I don’t see the point. You’re just going to shoot down all my better ideas—"

“Betterideas?”

Her shoulders heave as she shouts, “Yes,better!”

I laugh. “AndI’mthe pigheaded one?”

“It’s not pigheaded when you’re right!”

I shout, “How the hell can you be so confident, so stubborn, and so hot all at the same time? It makes no sense!”

“I’m not…you think I’m hot?”

“Of course I do!” I bark. “I have eyes!”

She gulps. “Well, I’m not stubborn.”

“Bullshit! You are the most stubborn person I have ever met since—"

“You?”

“Don’t give me that! I am the client! I am supposed to get my way!”

Her sparkling blue eyes shoot to my mouth for a flash. “Fine! Tell me what you want, Beau! I’m not a mind reader! I don’t—"