Sage (Spice and Stone Book 3)

Chapter One

“Sage, can you come to my office, please?” Bruce Whitlock said briskly over the phone.
Sage jumped to attention guiltily. She had not been productive. Instead of working she was trading wedding dress ideas with her sister.
Cayenne and Dirk were having a wedding ceremony on the jetty at Sea Glass Villas, and the bride was conflicted about how sophisticated or simple her dress should be. It had turned into a family chat. Even her grandmother Rosemary was involved. They were all going to meet at a custom dress designer this evening at six. Sage liked a halter-neck, fishtail style that looked elegant and simple. She was so in love with the design that she pushed it on Cayenne like it was a life or death matter.
She only realized that she had accidentally grabbed the bridal magazine with her laptop when she was at the door to Bruce's office. She groaned inwardly. Brian proposed every other week these days, and she didn't want to give Bruce the impression that she had weddings on the brain or was thinking about marrying his son.
In fact, for the past six months, she had been trying to break up with Brian. It was just so hard to do with him away at school. He was doing his master's in engineering at Caltech, and he had returned home twice since then. Both times when she brought up the matter, he completely ignored her efforts to break up with him. He could be so frustrating.
She gritted her teeth. The last time he was here, three months ago, she had been as brutal as possible. “Brian, I simply don’t love you. I don’t think we are compatible.”
His response had been to laugh as if she were joking. “Sage, you're just stressed. We've been together for so long; you probably can't imagine life without me. But trust me, it's just a phase. You'll see.”
That dismissive attitude had left her seething for weeks. She had tried to give him space, hoping he’d realize the truth, but instead, he seemed more determined than ever to hold on to her. Sage was at her wit's end.
As she approached Bruce Whitlock’s office, she took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. Bruce was not a man to be kept waiting, and she had already wasted enough time today. She knocked on the door, clutching her laptop and the bridal magazine.
“Come in,” Bruce’s voice boomed from inside.
Sage pushed the door open and stepped in, trying to hide the magazine under the laptop. Bruce looked better every time she saw him. He was the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. He had chiseled features, a strong jawline, and piercing honey-colored brown eyes that seemed to see right through her.
Today, he wore a muscle-fit black shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean physique, along with his typical blue jeans. He looked good in everything.
He wasn't in the office much, usually supervising the larger projects or in the vast greenhouses behind the offices. Whitlock Landscaping supplied its own trees, flowers, and shrubs, so it had to stock a wide variety of plants.
He didn't like being shackled to a desk.
He usually had a weekly one-on-one meeting with the small office staff to inquire about their progress for the week. He liked tangible results. As a social media manager, Cayenne usually urged customers to say where they found out about the business. So far, they had gotten major referrals through her efforts, and she figured she was now a valuable team member.
He smiled at her. “Sage, have a seat.”
She hurriedly sat. She had to train herself not to swoon when he smiled. One would think that after dating his son for two years and seeing Bruce every week, she could resist that smile, but it still made her weak in the knees. He had no idea how she felt. She would be mortified if he did.
“So, I was commissioned to do a multimillion-dollar project,” Bruce said. “It is an all-inclusive golf resort. The property developers want us to design a large golf course and landscape the entire property, including luxury gardens, walking paths, and multiple themed areas. It's a huge opportunity for Whitlock Landscaping, and it's largely because of the exceptional work you've done marketing us. You deserve every dime I pay you and more.”
Sage smiled. “I am glad I am making a difference here at Whitlock Landscaping.”
“We could do a series on this project for social media,” Bruce said. “The villas are not yet done, but that's okay. The client wants us to start working on the gardens of the newly renovated family house on the other side of the resort. It will remain as a private property and will overlook the golf course.”
“Oh wow,” Sage nodded. “It sounds pretty, and yes, a series would be a great idea. I could record you and edit the videos from the beginning to the final reveal. That's actually an excellent idea.”
Bruce nodded. “I am curious to know if you know the property developer. He shares the same last name as you.”
“I am not sure,” Sage said. “What's his name?”
“Horace Aubry, the house being renovated is Aubry House.”
“Er,” Sage was stunned. “I don't know Horace, but I have heard of him. He is my father's younger brother. And I didn't know they had a place called Aubry House.”
“Oh, your father,” Bruce frowned. “I know all about your father. Will this be a problem? Because if it is, we can call this off.”
“Oh no,” Sage said. “I would never ask you to do that. I don’t know Horace, and maybe he doesn’t know me. I don’t see why this would change anything.”
Bruce smiled. “Very well. I’ll work on the design for the house grounds. It's three acres on a hill; it should be fun.”
Sage chuckled. “I’ll need footage of that, your drawings, and the property. I need some good before shots.”
Bruce nodded. “Yes. We start the process on Monday. I hope you don't mind staying over at my farm in St. Ann, at least on weekdays. It would be easier for the men and me not to drive to and from Kingston daily. The men will bunk in the cabins on the farm. You will stay with me at my house.”
Sage swallowed. Staying with him? Why did that sound so intimate, and why was she so excited about the prospect?
“Well, er, I have no problem at all,” Sage said.
Bruce's eyes twinkled with amusement. “Good to know,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I promise you’ll have all the amenities you need there.”
Sage nodded, trying to suppress the butterflies in her stomach. “Sounds great.”
Bruce's phone buzzed on the table as they settled the final details. He glanced at the screen and frowned slightly. “Excuse me for a moment,” he said, standing up and stepping away to take the call.
Sage took a deep breath, allowing herself a moment to absorb everything. Working with Bruce on such a personal project was thrilling, not just because of the professional opportunity but also because of the undeniable chemistry she felt between them. She pushed the thought aside. Focus on the job, she reminded herself.
When Bruce returned, his expression had softened. “Everything's all set then. I’ll see you on Monday, Sage.”
“Looking forward to it,” she replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, and for a moment, he held her gaze, making her heart race and her skin tingle where he touched her.
The bridal magazine chose that moment to drop from her nerveless fingers.
He glanced at it and then at her. “I didn’t know you and Brian were that serious.”
“We aren’t,” Sage cleared her throat. “Well, I am not serious. What I mean to say is... it's for my sister’s wedding.”
Bruce raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Your sister's wedding, huh? Well, that makes more sense.”
Sage could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. “Yes, she's getting married in a few months. I’m just helping her out with some ideas.”
Bruce nodded, a playful smile curling at the corners of his mouth. “Got it. If you need any tips on venues or anything, let me know. I might know a thing or two about making places look beautiful.”
Sage laughed, the tension easing. “We might just take you up on that.”
“Great,” Bruce said, his tone light but his gaze steady. “So, Monday it is. We'll meet with Horace at Aubry House and see where the week takes us.”
“Monday,” Sage echoed.
She couldn't wait for Monday. Why wasn't it Monday yet? Anticipation sliced through her as she walked out of his office. What would it be like working so closely with Bruce? Would she reveal her feelings for him? And could she keep her composure?