Susan Mallery - The Summer Of Sunshine And Margot

“They won’t make a decision. No, I take that back. We can’t get to the point where they have to make a decision. They want something different. Something special, but so far they hate everything we’ve suggested. I’m to the point of offering dolphins and elephants.”

“I’m not sure they’d get along although they are both intelligent species. They might figure it out.”

She poured herself a glass of ice water, then sat across from him at the island.

“They’re leaning toward breaking up the space into different gardens. They might want a maze of some kind and that’s all we’ve got. At some point they’re going to have to pick a direction or kill us. I’m used to clients needing time and hand-holding but nothing like this.”

“The Huntington gardens are all different. I wonder if that would inspire them or make it worse.”

“I don’t think I could get through a field trip,” he admitted. “Not without bloodshed.”

“Yours or theirs?”

“I have no idea.”

She laughed. “So you connect different gardens with a thing, right? The material used to construct it or the same planters or a type of plant?”

“Exactly. Feel free to suggest something. I’m running out of ideas. Last week they wanted all organic. This week they’re wondering about sand because we’re close to the beach. I could work with sand. Sand is great. Until I got an email this afternoon saying sand was too obvious.”

“Yikes. That’s not easy.”

“We’ll get there. Like I said, I’m used to hand-holding, but sometimes it’s wearing. Now tell me about your day. Why are you stress baking?”

Her shoulders slumped and she sighed heavily. “It’s dumb.”

“No, it’s not. It’s important. Talk.”

“I started my math class today.”

“And?”

“And it was awful. Professor Rejefski is seriously intimidating. The students are all younger than me and I couldn’t follow the lesson.”

“Not any of it?”

“Some. But then it got confusing. I haven’t had to study since high school. I never went to college. I signed up but then I met some guy and I took off. I was always an indifferent student at best and I figured when I applied myself, it would be easy or at least doable. But what if it isn’t? What if I was a C student because I’m just not smart enough? What if this is the best I can ever be?”

He leaned toward her. “Sunshine, it was one day.”

“I know, but—”

“One day. Give yourself a break.”

“I’m afraid I’ve peaked.”

He held in a smile. “Tell me about making pie.”

“What?”

“I’ve heard making the crust is the hard part. Why can’t you just add the ingredients and have piecrust?”

She frowned. “Weird question but sure. It’s not just about ingredients. You have to feel your way. It’s a texture thing and it takes practice.” Her mouth twisted. “Are you using a pie analogy to make me feel better? Pie?”

“Technically piecrust and yes. Look, no one is good at everything the first time. Riding a bike, singing, learning to read, going back to college.”

Sex. The thought came unbidden and he pushed it away. He was enjoying his conversation with Sunshine and he wasn’t going to screw it up by being a guy.

“It’s been one day,” he repeated. “Give yourself a break and some time. How was the professor intimidating?”

“She had a lot of rules. And there was something with blue books I didn’t understand.”

“Rules are good. You know where you stand and what’s expected. You’ll buy blue books at the student store and take your tests in them. She probably said she would collect blank ones from you before the tests, then give you back ones she brought.”

“Why?”

“To prevent cheating. Otherwise people write notes and formulas in the books.”

Sunshine looked shocked. “They do that?” She shook her head. “Of course they do that. I’m so out of touch. Some guy invited me back to his place for a pool party. He’s like eighteen. Why?”

Declan took another drink of his martini. “You’re asking me why an eighteen-year-old guy wants to go out with you? Is that a serious question?”

“I meant I’m not looking for that kind of thing.”

“You’ve sworn off men?” Knowing that would be a big help, he thought. Or at least he hoped it would be.

“Not exactly. I just don’t want to be all boo—Ah, I don’t want to be dating guys who are just in it for sex and a fling. I want someone who wants a real relationship. Someone smart and kind and funny who sees me as a person.”

There was a lot of information there—information he would have to think about later. “Seems reasonable.”

“Maybe. I don’t know. Right now I want to do my job and figure out college.”

“I was a pretty decent student,” he told her. “Here’s what I can tell you. Keep up with the material. Try to read ahead so you can ask questions during the lecture. Go to the TA sessions.”

“That’s what Professor Rejefski said. I wrote down the dates, but what is it?”

“TAs are teacher’s assistants. Usually grad students. They have help sessions where they go over the material. You can get more personal attention. There’s probably a math lab on campus. Check that out. Sit up front so the professor gets to know you. Be engaged. Show interest in the class.”

“Why?”

He smiled. “Because she’ll see you’re trying. At the end of the semester, if you’re on the cusp of getting a higher grade, being engaged can push you over the top.”

Sunshine’s eyes widened. “They do that?”

“They’re human, so yes.”

“I’m shocked.”

He chuckled. “Get over it.”

“There’s a whole secret world out there.”

“The cliché is true—success is about showing up.” He pushed himself away from the counter. “You can do this. It will take a while to get into the rhythm of studying and taking tests, but I have every faith in you.”

She smiled. “That’s about the nicest thing you could have said. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

They looked at each other. Declan wanted to tell himself there was a bit of tension sizzling between them but he had a feeling that was the martini talking. He slid off the stool.

“I’m going to check on Connor, then come back and help you pack up the baked goods.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll take care of it. Dinner at six?”

“Sure. See you then.”

And with that, order was restored to exactly what it should be.

Three days into Bianca’s training, Alec had to admit Margot was less of a disruption than he would have expected. She was quiet, unobtrusive and, except for when she was in the dining room to collect her breakfast, he rarely saw her.

From what his mother had told him, they were mostly working in the greenhouse until the temperatures warmed enough for them to be outside. Bianca seemed happy, his house was quiet and that was all Alec required of the situation. He still had his doubts about his mother’s ability to adapt to Wesley’s lifestyle, but that was not his problem.

He returned to the house and saw Margot standing in the cloisters, a cell phone in her hand.

“You piece of shit. Leave me alone.”

He was reasonably confident she wasn’t addressing him, so rather than respond, he paused and cleared his throat.

Margot spun to face him, her face flushing with color.

“Sorry,” she said, tucking her phone into a pocket. “I’m having a moment.”

She wore a sleeveless red dress that fit to her waist before flaring out to just above her knee. Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. She had on flat shoes, no jewelry save a watch, and minimal makeup. She appeared competent and capable and yet he found himself keenly cognizant of the fact that she was both a woman and incredibly beautiful. A combination that seemed to, as his mother would phrase it, rattle his cage.