Page 25 of Clock Strikes Paradise

“Understood.” Celeste nodded, accepting my explanation without further prying and we moved on to the specifics of her offer.

At the end of the meeting, Elise again offered to arrange any trips or activities Celeste might need, but she declined. “I think I’ll just enjoy some beach and pool time before the big gala.” She turned to me with a smile. “Thank you again for arranging this trip. What a wonderful way to issue Podium into its new phase, just as the year changes over too! Very exciting.”

As we wrapped up our meeting, I appreciated Celeste’s professionalism and candor, both a stark contrast to Laurent. But ultimately, our decision would come down to what was best for Podium and its future. And us.

“Thank you once again for your time, Celeste,” I said as I saw her out. “We’ll see you soon.”

“Looking forward to it,” she replied with a smile before departing.

As I closed the door, the decision weighed heavy on me. It wouldn’t be an easy one, but I didn’t have to make it alone. “Nate texted me earlier that he and Camille were about to board the jet. They’re on schedule to join us for dinner.”

Elise nodded. “I have it arranged with room service. They’ll deliver the meal here to the cottage at seven p.m. As for today, your next meeting is at noon and another at two. Then you get a little time to relax before dinner.” She twitched her lips with the last sentence.

I shrugged, smiling in return. “No rest for the wicked. I need to call Nate and update him on the offers. At least this time gap gives you some downtime. Enjoy your afternoon, and I’ll see you at dinner.”

At seven o’clock,Nate and Camille walked into the cottage, arm in arm and wearing matching smiles. Two years younger than me but several inches taller, Nate and I shared dark-brown hair and blue eyes. He moved with the graceful, athletic form of a former pro hockey player, draping one arm over Camille’s athletic shoulders. Their happiness was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile as my brother pulled me in for a quick hug.

“Did you miss me?” he asked, clapping me on the back.

“It hasn’t been that long,” I replied and turned to greet Camille with an embrace. She had grown up next door to us in Westport, Connecticut, and looked ready for some sun with her hair coiled into a casual bun on top of her head.Her dark-blonde strands still showed lighter highlights from a summer spent outdoors.

When I informed Nate that Elise was joining us for dinner, he gave me a long, curious look that I ignored. I wasn’t sure what exactly was happening between us, but I didn’t want her feeling excluded. She swept into the room wearing blue linen pants and a sleeveless blouse, the perfect blend of business and casual. Her hair was down and curling around her shoulders as she took charge of seating us and dealing with the room service delivery. I had to grip my wineglass to resist the urge to stroke a finger down the velvety skin of her arm.

Camille kept the conversation light when I wanted to dig too deep into our prospective bidders, updating us on her and Nate’s hockey foundation. It reminded me of his previous observation that I was a joyless workaholic—at least now I recognized my tendencies. Elise and Camille hit it off right away, discussing some hit television show I’d never heard of. My gaze wandered Elise’s way several times over the meal, especially when a light, sweet scent drifted my way from her. Because I didn’t think it was perfume. I was pretty sure it washer.

Eventually, the conversation between Nate and me circled back to business. We discussed the offers from both Laurent and Celeste, weighing the pros and cons of keeping Podium a family-run business or taking Laurent’s more lucrative offer.

As the meal wore down, Nate sounded as torn as I was about which offer to take. “I met with both of them this afternoon after we arrived,” he noted, setting his napkin on his empty plate. “Laurent’s offer is tempting, but Celeste’s approach feels more, I don’t know… authentic, I guess.”

“I agree,” I said, still undecided myself. “We need to hash this out some more.”

“It’s a huge decision for you two,” Camille said, then turned to Elise with a wink. “Why don’t you and I take a dip in the pool while the boys talk shop?”

Elise hesitated for a moment before agreeing, and the two women left us to change into their swimsuits.

“Want a beer?” I asked, already heading for the minibar fridge. Nate nodded, and we settled down across from each other on couches.

“All right,” Nate said as I handed him the bottle. “Enough about Podium for the moment. What’s going on between you and Elise?”

My stomach lurched. “Nothing. We’re just sharing a cottage because of a mix-up with her room. We have separate bedrooms.” I tried to sound casual as I took a sip of my beer, hoping Nate would drop it.

“Come on, Clay. You and Elise had a weird current running between you during dinner. That is definitely new.” He gave me a long, knowing look.

I sighed. Maybe it would help to talk about it. Exorcize the demon. “Okay, fine. Maybe I’m starting to see her differently. But she works for me. Nothing’s going to happen between us.”

Nate draped an arm across the back of the couch. “It’s okay to let go once in a while.”

I gaped at him, incredulous. “With myassistant?”

He cocked his head, reading my thoughts. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I caught her sneaking some glances at you tonight.”

I stared at him, putting an edge of steel in my eyes. “I fired Bart yesterday. For harassing Elise.”

His eyes went round. “Are you shitting me?”

“Most definitely not shitting you.”

“He always was an asshole.” Nate shrugged, his expression unapologetic. “I see your problem now, but life isn’t always neat and tidy. You’re sure as hell not Bart Mayhew, and I’m sure Elise realizes that. If you want something badly enough, you’ll figure it out. Same with her.”