Love By Design Box Set

CHAPTER 1 Savannah “Has he left for the day?” Bianca, my best friend and secretary, asked over the phone. I pried open the door to the conference room to grab the design layout I’d left behind after our meeting. My nerves were still on high alert after that jerk Cassian thought he was putting me in my place by making me work late. “I don’t know. I hope he chokes on a bone.” I picked up my portfolio and headed back to my office. Most of the lights were off in the building. Bianca chuckled, and I placed the file under my arm, and pushed the door open, a cup of fresh coffee in my hand, phone nestled between my ear and shoulder, portfolio and folder containing information on a new client tucked firmly under my other arm. “Savannah, the man isn’t that bad. Maybe he likes you?” I blew out a frustrated breath. “Girl, that wine must be hitting the spot—either that, or it’s Wayne’s magical d**k. Because me liking Cassian is never going to happen.” I snickered and glided inside my office, kicking off my heels and changing into my flats. I was the youngest designer at the Cassian Dane Global firm. CDG held accounts for huge conglomerates and corporate law firms. The hierarchy went as follows: First, it was Cassian; then Jonathan, the VP of Design; under him were the Junior Designers, one of whom was me; and finally, Cassian’s secretary, Amy, who couldn’t stand me and the feeling was mutual. She had it stuck in her airheaded brain that I was after Cassian, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. I started at the firm as a fresh-faced, idealistic right out of college girl at 23 years old, and five years later I was now 28, I was well versed in the world of design, and what Cassian liked and didn’t like. Since I was the most seasoned in the position, he usually used me as a sounding board. Knowing the market and trends, especially with me knowing a lot of contacts. I often stayed up to date with the social media activities of the high profile celebrities. Passing along what the hottest trends for the seasons that most often clients tend to purchase. Even fashion incorporated into some of my ideas and color schemes. Certain pieces depending on your home layout wouldn’t work if you lived in a condo compared to a house. The problem was that most of the time, he was challenging my ideas and thinking he was doing me a favor, as if I was still the same inexperienced kid, but the trophies and contracts that I brought in told a different story. Unlike the other women in the company, I didn’t fall prey to his pretty, crystalline, forest-green eyes, or his chiseled jawline, and I could do without his 6’2” frame. It seemed like too much work to be his woman. So, I kept to myself at work and focused on the job at hand. Cassian made all the top designers compete to win the Denton contract. We had a design conference in Denver coming up in two weeks, and he was throwing a party for the top designers at his cabin. He called it a “bonding session to bring up fresh ideas going into the new year.” I knew it was a long shot for me to win because he hated me. No, he didn’t ever come right out and say, “Savannah, you suck,” but it was implied; and everyone could tell. So, this trip would either cause me to jump-start my plans to open my own business or ask to become the Head Designer at his firm. “Well, how late are you going to be holed up in the office? Maybe I should come up there and help?” Bianca must have been moving around in the kitchen from the sounds of pots and pans clanging around. Dropping into my chair, I kicked my feet up on the desk and closed my eyes, taking a moment to relax and focus. “No, I don’t need you to come back. I’ll be fine, babe. I’ll be done in about another hour or two, so don’t worry. “ “Wayne stop playing, I’m on the phone.” Bianca giggled like a schoolgirl, and based on the moaning coming through the phone. Wayne must be looking for some money. The only time Wayne really came around and showed her any attention was when he wanted something from her. “Do you need to call me back?” I blew out cooling, the steaming coffee before taking sip from my cup and unbuttoned my jacket, getting comfortable. Our client was opening offices all over the country, and my interior design sketches would be around for years to come so they needed to be innovative and on point. Opening my folder, I grabbed my pencil and checked over my work. Cassian had pointed out a few things that he thought would work better. At first, I couldn’t admit that his ideas were good; but now, looking it over, I can see that moving certain pieces around would refine the ascetic more. “Nope, he’s going to work now so I can talk.” I snorted, forgetting to cover my mouth. Wayne’s idea of working was going to his other girlfriend’s house and living it up with her. Bianca was so naïve with that man and I was tired of telling her to move on. A tap at my door made me turn my head to see who was approaching, it was the janitor, Mr. Ralph, stepping inside. I waved him in further and decided to end the call with Bianca. “Bianca, I’ll see you tomorrow. Mr. Ralph is here, and I need to finish this design, so I can leave here in a couple of hours.” Mr. Ralph pointed toward the bathroom and I put a thumb up signaling it was okay to start cleaning there first. “Alright, be safe and I’ll see you in the morning,” Bianca said, hanging up, sounding annoyed at me from my nonverbal comment on Wayne’s work ethic. “How are you doing Mr. Ralph?” I stood up, walking over to the private bathroom in my office. Only a few Junior Designers had a private bathroom and I always wanted to question him about it. Amy always gossiped about him giving me this larger office space and what I must have done to get it. “I’m doing good, Miss Houser. What are you doing here so late?” Mr. Ralph moved the mop around the room and placed the “wet floor” sign in the corner. We often had meaningful conversations at work. He reminded me a lot of my dad, a wise man in his 50s that didn’t mind hard work. Soon, he’d be retiring, and Cassian was throwing a surprise party for him after we got back from the design conference. I’d asked Mr. Ralph plenty of times what he’d want as a gift, and the biggest thing he’d asked for was a trip for him and his wife. I made a promise to myself to get him and his wife to go on that trip before he left. Their kids were all grown and having kids of their own, so it was just the two of them at home now. I appreciated a man who had stuck with the woman he loved for over 30 years and still showed her the same amount of respect and care and complimented her beauty every chance he got. It was something I looked forward to once I found the right guy. My past relationships had always felt like a chore and being raised around true, and honest love was something I hoped to gain for myself one day. “Regular routine, working to stay on top. I won’t be long, so I’ll be out of your hair in a second. I know being the last office to clean is keeping you from going home to your beautiful wife.” “You’re actually the second to last office tonight.” “Really, who else is still here?” “Bossman is working late. The only other people lurking around are the cleaning crew. I just left him a few minutes ago, and he said to start over here before coming back to his office. No matter what, I’ll get home, and the wife will be up waiting for me, because she can’t sleep without me.” “Oh, I thought I was the only person left here tonight. Well, I don’t want to hold you up, so let me grab a few things, and I’ll be on my way.” “You don’t have to.” I waved him off and grabbed my suit jacket, then turned the computer off and stuck my heels under my arm before heading out of the door. “It’s fine; I can finish this tomorrow. Have a good night, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” I grabbed my keys and walked out of the office, then down to the elevator. A part of me wanted to peek in on Cassian to see what he was working on. The other part wouldn’t give into snooping. Somehow, he always knew when eyes were on him.