Girl Crush (Redwoods Book 1) Read online

  B: Ur welcome Buttercup. Make sure to relax and have some fun

  Me: Relax, ya that’s funny. And the fun aspect, not going to happen :/

  B: Well try!!

  After texting Bryce back that I will try to have fun, I decide to pull up the information I gathered on Mr. Preston to go over one more time. I want to make sure it’s all fresh in my mind when we meet them for dinner. When I feel like I’ve memorized every detail I close my laptop and glance at the clock.

  “Holy shit,” I mutter when I see that I now only have forty five minutes left before it’s time to leave.

  Jumping to my feet I rush into the bathroom to take a quick shower. It’s a miracle I didn’t kill myself in there as fast as I shaved and washed everything. Grabbing a towel off the rack I wrap it around my hair before getting another to dry my body. After I’m all dry I lather lotion on all places that will be visible and release the towel from my hair and scrub my head with it before I brush out my hair and blow dry it.

  Since I’ve never been one to really care much about my appearance I decide on a messy side bun instead of my usual tight bun. I’m not sure what possessed me to bring mascara and lip gloss since I rarely, if ever, wear it, but right now I’m thankful I did. After applying both it’s time to put on my new dress.

  Walking into the bedroom and retrieving it from the bed I slide it on before going back into the bathroom to look at myself in the full length mirror. I’m speechless. Who is this person looking back at me? Smoothing my hands over the dress and down my body I’m marveled at how well it fits. I will have to kiss Bryce’s face when I get home. He did good!

  Looking down at my bare feet my anxiety begins to rise when I realize I don’t have the appropriate shoes to go with this dress. Rushing back into the room I begin to search through my smaller suitcase that I packed my shoes in and when I see a piece of paper attached to a pair of simple black heels I’m so relieved I could cry. Not daring to mess up my mascara I look at the note instead. It simply says ‘Wear these’. Bryce is simply amazing, too bad he isn’t straight.

  Sliding the heels on, I rise to my feet, thank God they aren’t too tall. Bryce must’ve known I’d fall and break my neck in anything too high. Just like the dress the shoes are absolutely perfect. Going into the bathroom a final time to take a look at myself I’m thrilled with my appearance and almost feel like I’m someone else this night.

  A knock at my door interrupts my moment of self appraisal. I can feel the butterflies begin to swarm in my stomach knowing that Mr. Vaughn is about to see me like this. I can’t help but wonder what he’ll think of the new me. What I wouldn’t give to be a mind reader for one day.

  My breath catches in my throat at the first glimpse of him when I open the door. In this moment I could care less if he notices me blatantly checking him out. His hair is tamed down from its usual messiness making him look extremely refined. He’s wearing a black suit that has to be tailored especially for him by the way it hugs his body. Almost every muscle in his arms is defined, only disguised by the fabric covering them. A noise that sounded a lot like a growl stops my perusal, directing my attention to his face I notice his eyes first the color is so beautiful that I could get lost in them for days. There is a tick in his jaw and I feel the heat rise in my cheeks at the thought that he’s upset with my behavior.

  “Are you ready to go?” Mr. Vaughn asks through gritted teeth.

  Shit, I’ve pissed him off. I just acted totally unprofessional and his girlfriend is right in the other room. What the hell is wrong with me?

  “Yes, just let me grab my bag,” I answer as I rush over to the bed to retrieve it. When I turn around Mr. Vaughn is standing on the inside my doorway. The look on his face now has my body heating up instantly and this time it’s not embarrassment and I don’t think that’s a look of anger. “Ready,” I whisper as I begin walking toward him.

  As I approach him, he steps to the side of and motion for me to walk out the door first. As I walk past him my side brushes against his stomach. Immediately goose bumps dot my skin. I continue walking like nothing happened and it’s not until we’re entering the elevator that I notice Lucia isn’t following behind us.

  “Where is Lucia?” I ask.

  “She couldn’t make it.”

  I nod and the silence envelopes us in the elevator.

  “You look nice this evening.” He says in a voice so soft it mind as well have been a whisper.

  He’s completely caught me off guard and I can’t seem to form any words at all at first. The look on his face when I was checking him out, then the look I saw when I turned from getting my purse, and now a compliment have my mind running in circles. I finally manage to mutter, “Thank you, so do you.” Once again I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks. I’ve never received a compliment about my appearance before. A smile begins tugging at the corners of my mouth and I bite my lip to keep it hidden. The only sound I hear the rest of the ride down the elevator is another growl.

  When the elevator doors open and I walk out in front of him I can’t contain the smile any longer, especially when he places his hand at the small of my back and guides me to the waiting car.

  The traffic was pretty light and we arrive at the restaurant a little earlier than expected. As soon as we enter the smell of basil and garlic reaches my senses causing my mouth to water. As the hostess begins leading us to our table I look around the small intimate restaurant. Almost every table is full and the atmosphere is harmonious and extremely cozy and welcoming for such an expensive looking place. We reach our table and Mr. Vaughn pulls out my seat for me, trying to hide my surprise at his gentlemanly behavior, I sit down quickly and decide to divert my attention to finding out what exactly my role here is tonight while we wait for the Preston’s to arrive.

  “Mr. Vaughn.” He looks up from the menu that the hostess laid in front of him.

  “Yes, Kerrigan?”

  “I just wanted to go over tonight, what you expect of me.”

  “You’re here to assist me, if you think I need help step in, other than that, that’s basically it.” He says.

  “You know this company like the back of your hand, what could I possibly help with?”

  “You’re right. I do know everything about it. Maybe I just wanted a beautiful dinner companion.”

  Wait, what?

  I have no idea how to respond, but I can’t stop myself from mumbling under my breath, “Then you should’ve brought Lucia.”

  Blowing out a frustrated breath. I swear I hear him chuckle, but I don’t get the chance to ask why because Mr. Preston and his team have arrived.

  Mr. Vaughn gets up to shake hands with Mr. Preston as the introductions are being made. It looks like he brought all of his children and wife with him. She takes the seat next to me and we immediately start a conversation.

  “So how long have you and Damon been together, Kerrigan?” Mrs. Preston asks.

  “Oh no, Mrs. Preston I’m just his assistant.” Why on earth would she think someone like me would be with someone like Mr. Vaughn?

  She smiles but doesn’t say anything she simply looks between the two of us and smiles. I look over to him and I can’t tell what he’s thinking. He has a look in his eyes I don’t quite understand.

  The conversations flow throughout dinner and as soon as the plates are cleared the atmosphere changes from fun and casual to somewhat tense and businesslike.

  Mr. Vaughn pulls out a file that if I’m correct contains everything Vaughn Enterprises can offer to Preston Inc, he holds the folder out across the table for Mr. Preston to take. “I’ve come up with all the information on why Preston Inc should partner up with Vaughn Enterprises. We can offer you everything you are looking for and more.”

  I sit quietly as Mr. Vaughn continues explaining what all his company can do with and for their finances and assets and the longer he talks numbers the more I can feel them slipping from his grasp.

  Taking a deep breath to calm the nerves that are beg
inning to take over my body at the knowledge that I’m about to jump into this conversation. It’s kinda bothering me that he had me do so much work on this case, wanted my opinion, and yet isn’t using any of the points that I gave him on how to win the Preston’s over. He did say I was here to help so here goes nothing.

  “Excuse me gentlemen,” I interrupt. All eyes turn to me, “If I may I would like to add another reason that Vaughn Enterprises is the right fit for your company, Mr. Preston.” Clearing my throat before continuing, “I know Mr. Vaughn has gone over the financial portion, but from what I’ve learned through research about your company and family, and from what I’ve seen tonight while enjoying a lovely dinner with you all, is that you’re very dedicated to your family.” Looking around the table at the Preston family I watch as each one of them smiles and nods.

  “Vaughn Enterprises values family just as much. I don’t think Mr. Vaughn mentioned that not only does his aunt work at VE, but almost everyone there is connected with family ties. We understand the need to involve and include the people closest to us. VE wouldn’t be where we are today without family.”

  I look over and see Mr. Vaughn smiling and nodding in agreement, and he takes over explaining how his father helped him start the company. The light in Mr. Preston’s eyes lets me know that we won him over. We finish up our meeting, as we all stand to say our goodbyes I’m pleasantly surprised when I begin receiving hugs from everyone in the Preston family. Mr. Preston tells Mr. Vaughn he will be in touch, and walks over to me, «My dear, it was an absolute pleasure meeting you.» I tell him the same as we all begin to make our way out toward the front of the restaurant.

  Once we are in the car silence envelopes us all the way back to the hotel. Neither of us has spoken a word when we step into the elevator to go up to our suite. My nerves are beginning to get the best of me. I fear that I overstepped my position and it’s causing me to feel hot and clammy all over and on the edge of having a panic attack. Glancing up to see what floor we are on, needing to know how much longer I have to endure his silence I notice him smile at me in my peripheral vision.

  “You did well tonight, Kerrigan.” He says.

  Relief floods my system at his words. “Thank you, Mr. Vaughn.”

  “Please, Kerrigan, stop with the Mr. Vaughn, that’s my dad.” He laughs. “Call me Damon from here on out.”

  We step of the elevator and he unlocks our room. I head straight to my room but stop when I hear his voice. “Thank you for tonight. I’m sorry I didn’t go with your suggestion about family.”

  “You’re welcome, but I was just doing my job. Goodnight, Mr...” His eyes scrunch up and I stop myself, «Goodnight, Damon.”

  “Night, Kerrigan. Remember we leave first thing in the morning.” He says with a slight smile before heading off toward his room.

  The wind is blowing my hair in every direction as I run through the trees. I dart around behind a large Redwood and peek around to see is he’s still chasing me. We’ve been running through the forest all day, both of us laughing and having the so much fun. He doesn’t stop in front of me like I thought he would, instead he grabs me around the waist and we tumble to the ground. My eyes immediately connect with his. The same eyes I’ve looked into so many times before. I’m trying to catch my breath when he looks at me and says, “I will always find you, no matter what. We’re fated and you will always be mine, Buttercup, no matter how far you are from me.”

  I sit straight up in bed and gasp for breath, trying to remember where I am, looking around I notice I’m still in the hotel suite. This dream shook me more the other because it was different from the other one’s I’ve had. Those eyes. I know it’s the same boy from before only now him and the little girl are older. He’s maybe ten or so and the little girl, who I’m almost convinced is me, can’t be any more than five or six. This is crazy, how can she be me? And who is he?

  A knock on the door jars me from my thoughts, “Kerrigan, are you almost ready to go? We leave for the airport in thirty minutes.”

  “I’ll be ready, Mr…” I hear him grunt through the door, “I mean Damon. I just need to get dressed and gather my things.” I finish as I climb out of bed and proceed to do just that.

  The drive to the airport as well as the plane ride is quiet and just like the first flight it didn’t take long to reach Redding. When we begin the car ride back to the office, I realize that we aren’t going in that direction. I look over at Damon with raised brows, “Where are we going?”

  He turns his head to look at me, “I figured after working all night at the dinner meeting, that I would drop you off at home and you can start your weekend.”

  “Well… Thanks, I mean if you’re okay with me not working the rest of today or tomorrow. I’m not going to complain.”

  “Good.” He looks over to me again, “Then we’re here.”

  I look out the window and realize that he’s right we are indeed at my apartment complex. I’m not even going to question how he knows where I live.

  “Have a good weekend, Kerrigan.” He smiles. Holy shit that smile. It’s the first time I’ve really seen it and I notice that he has one dimple on the right side that makes him even hotter than ever. Damn!

  “You too, Damon.” I say in a breathless tone.

  “Thank you again for your help last night.” There is a twinkle in his eye as he speaks.

  I open my door to get out, knowing that even though Lucia is in the car I can’t be held accountable for what may come out of my mouth next.

  Damon gets out on the opposite side of the car and begins to pull my luggage from the trunk. “Oh no, I’ve got it.” I say, reaching for my bags. Our hands touch and I pull back almost instantly feeling like I was shocked with electricity. He lets go of my bag and nods his head.

  He’s about to get back into the car when I realize that my car isn’t here. “What about my car?”

  “Already taken care of, Bryce will bring you to pick it up tomorrow. Get some rest, Kerrigan.” He says as he gets into the car.

  I stand there until I can no longer see the back end of the car. His smile is embedded in my brain and if I don’t get over this insane crush on him I’m going to do something stupid that may cost me my job. Oh, to be Lucia for one day. Finally after I make my way into my apartment and try to push these crazy thoughts out of my head.

  Bryce is still at work, and since he’s the only person I hang out with, I’m left to my own devices until he gets home. After unpacking my luggage I decide to kick back on the couch with my Kindle. Looking through my library I decide to read Change by Heather Dahlgreen. I’ve heard amazing things about this author and I can’t wait to dive right in.

  The sound of the doorbell pulls me out of my reading haze as well as scares the piss out of me almost literally I was so engrossed in this book. I absolutely love these characters; the hype was true this author is amazing. I look over to the clock and realize that I’ve been reading for almost three hours. What can I say it’s a damn good book and it’s frickin’ hot too.

  Laying my Kindle down on the coffee table I get off the couch to see who’s at the door. When I look out the peep hole I see Bryce standing there smiling.

  “Are you going to make me stand outside all day, or are you going to let me in, Buttercup?”

  I laugh as I unlock the door and pull it open. “Hey Bryce.”

  “What’s wrong, are you feeling sick again?” He asks concern heavy in his voice.

  I’m not really sure why he thinks that. “No I’m fine. Why?”

  “You’re all flushed. I was just making sure you’re not getting sick again.”

  Well shit, leave it to Bryce to notice I’m flushed there’s no way I’m telling him why. Before I realize what’s he’s doing he’s snatched my Kindle off the table and plops on the couch. I know the instant he realizes that sickness wasn’t what was causing the reddish hue to my skin.

  “Well this certainly explains it, Buttercup. I wouldn’t have thought you’d be re
ading stuff like this. It’s awfully steamy.” He wiggles his brows at me.

  Laughter bubbles out of me at his antics, “Yeah, yeah, now give it back shut up. I read all kinds of stuff.” I smirk as I sit next to him on the couch.

  “Fine, fine, here you go.” He says as he hands over my Kindle. “But, I may want to read the rest of that book if it’s that hot all the way through.”

  I laugh again before changing the subject. “Thank you for the dress and shoes, Bryce. You seriously don’t know how you saved my ass. I wasn’t expecting to have to go to the dinner meeting and when Damon said I was going I started panicking. So thank you.”

  “Damon huh? What happened to Mr. Vaughn?”

  “Shut it! Yes, Damon, he told me no more Mr. Vaughn. So yeah…” I trail off.

  “How did it go?” He asks.

  “I think it went great actually. I’m pretty sure he landed the client.”

  “No I meant with Mr. Hottie boss man.” He raises his eyebrows and smirks.

  “Fine.” I say quickly and look away.

  “That’s all? Just fine?”

  “Yep.”

  He must get it because he changes the subject, “What are you doing home anyways?”

  “He gave me the rest of the week off.”

  “Awesome, let’s go out tomorrow night. I want to show you the town. You’ve been here for a few weeks already and haven’t been anywhere.” I start to speak but he stops me, “I know, I know, you don’t party, but give it a chance, it will be fun.”

  I laugh, “I wasn’t going to say no. I was going to say it sounds like fun.”

  “Oh okay then, I figured you’d say no. I’m so excited we’re going to have a blast.”

  We end up cooking dinner and relaxing until Bryce needs to go home since he has to work tomorrow. I stay up and finish the book I was reading and jump right into the second one. The strong female characters in these books make me think about my life.

  I’ve never thought I would be second guessing my choices about focusing on school and nothing else. But I know for my age, most girls are out there partying it up and having fun. Having a life. Every time I look at Lucia, whether she’s with Damon or not, I start to think what it would be like to be like her, hell to be her. She has the perfect body, perfect everything, not to mention, Damon.