Brushing Off the Boss: A Half Moon Bay Novel (Entangled Bliss) Read Free Page B

tipped her head on the side and narrowed her eyes.
    “Yeah, I have been. But it wasn’t really my scene. I’m sure I’m going to like the West Coast much better than the hectic pace of New York.”
    “It can get hectic here too,” she said, and there was something strange in her tone, as though she was trying to talk him out of the move. Jack racked his brain trying to think how much Blake knew of his reasons for coming down here. He knew he owned the gallery but nothing else. No one else knew about his commission.
    “So you didn’t like being the boss? You’re going to do that sort of thing down here?” Sienna sounded interested.
    “No, I’m not.” Jack shrugged. “I intend on finding a good manager for my business and I’ll look for a place to live near the beach. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of time to go surfing.”
    “I hear it’s hard to get good staff down this way.” Sienna glanced at him and he had the feeling she disapproved of his plans.
    Jack narrowed his eyes; he didn’t need anyone else judging him. “Is it? I’m sure I’ll find an agency to help me.” It was as though they were playing a game, although maybe he was reading too much into her words.
    “So are you all still in the hardware and restoration business?”
    Ana and Georgie shook their heads, but it was Sienna who answered him.
    “I suppose you could call my work that. I still work with ‘doohickeys’ of a sort.” She sat up straight in her chair and her voice was still a bit snarky. He wasn’t imagining it; she was playing games with him and he didn’t like it. Maybe he wouldn’t call her after all. He didn’t need any unnecessary complications taking up his time.
    Jack put a civil smile on his face. “That’s right. I’d forgotten the slogan for that hardware store that Blake bought. What was it again?”
    “ Whatchamacallits, thingamajigs, and doohickeys for every need ,” Georgie piped up. She and Ana had been watching the interaction between Jack and Sienna with interest.
    Why did he get the feeling that everyone else knew what was going on? It was hard to concentrate because he was so tired from the long ride today. Time to leave.
    Jack pushed his chair back and stood slowly, but Sienna’s eyes stayed on him. “Time I hit the road. You’ll have to excuse me. I’ve had a long day.” Jack turned to Ana and Georgie and smiled. “I’m sure we’ll catch up in Nebbiton. I’ll be up to see Blake in the next couple of weeks. As soon as I get settled I’ll give him a call.”
    Sienna lifted her wineglass to her lips and sipped slowly, regarding him over the rim.
    “I’ll give you a call too, Sienna.” Jack’s eyes fixed on her rosy lips until her next words dripped from them.
    “I’ll look forward to it.” But her terse tone belied the words. Jack turned to ask for the bill but Sienna’s next words stopped him.
    “So tell me, Jack, whatever possessed you to buy an art gallery when you’ve had nothing to do with the art world?”
    So she wanted to be smart. Well, he could play the same game. He turned slowly to face her.
    “A gallery just sells a different type of product. Business is business whatever is sold. Paintings, pottery, furniture, wheelbarrows, stocks and shares…even doohickeys”—he flicked a glance at her—“or whatever it was you were in charge of in that hardware store. As long as you have a buyer and decent staff, there’s money to be made. No knowledge of art required.”
    They were his father’s words, and although Jack didn’t believe them for a moment, he made them his. Sienna had really pushed his buttons with her “nothing to do with the art world” comment.
    Her eyes flashed at him as her cheeks colored a deep red. “Well, Jack, I’m sure your staff will look after your gallery and make lots of money for you while you’re off surfing.”
    “That’s all I can hope for.” He caught the waitress’s eye and asked for the check before turning back to the table.