The bang of the front door caught her attention. Neil strode inside wearing his usual hard-faced expression and perfectly tailored black suit. He wasn’t wearing the proper footwear—as usual—but at least this time he’d put on a hard hat. She only had to remind him every day.
Her men focused on their work, intent on avoiding Neil’s scrutinizing attention. He stopped in the middle of the restaurant. His hat rested low on his head, blocking his eyes from her view but she knew without a doubt he was analyzing the tiny bit of progress that had been made to the restaurant space since he left last night.
He noticed Carson and her father and gestured with his chin, his lips curving slightly at her startled expression.
She remembered what those lips felt like against hers, branding her as if she was his. Her nipples hardened at the memory of his hands on her body.
She shook her head. Not the right reaction to be having in front of her father. His own scrutinizing ways would pick up on her change towards Neil in a second. With him already on her case, she didn’t need this added to the list.
“Mr. Kelly? To what do I owe this pleasure of a visit?”
He held out his hand and her father stood and gripped it.
“Mr. Harrison. I was just following up with my daughter. When I’m not the lead on a project I like to hold an exit interview. Just my way of assuring quality control. As we only have a few days of construction and the final inspection left, I’d like to schedule that meeting.”
Neil glanced in her direction. One eyebrow lifted in curiosity.
“Your daughter has done a fantastic job of designing every single part of my vision. Every day I walk into this space and am reminded of why I chose Kelly Designs in the first place.”
“Well Kelly Designs aims to please.” Her father gave her a sideways glance, as if doubting the sincerity of Neil’s comment, her abilities.
“Carson,” he pointed to her, “has been here every day and keeps me up to speed with every tiny detail. I am sure you’ll understand that this is the busiest time for me and I’m sure you’ve put your daughter in charge for a good reason. So you don’t have to deal with the little things, isn’t that right?”
Carson suppressed a smile. God bless Neil Harrison and his beautifully plump mouth.
“With all due respect Mr. Harrison, I know you’re a busy man but I would be remiss if I didn’t follow up personally. This is one of Carson’s first jobs on her own and…”
Eighth. It was her eighth job on her own. Not to mention the numerous jobs she’d done alongside her father.
“I don’t really think it’s necessary to make Mr. Harrison sit down with you,” she assured her father.
He shot her a sideways glance. “Very well. If I can’t convince you to meet with me, then my right hand will be along to make sure everything is finalized.”
Carson fisted her hands at her sides. If there was ever a time when she wanted to punch her father in the face…it was now. He had just embarrassed her. Humiliated her. In front of a client no less. In front of Neil Harrison.
“I must run along. Mr. Harrison, always a pleasure.”
They shook hands again and then her father nodded, his usual detached attempt at a goodbye. He turned and walked out the door.
“I thought your father retired?”
She sighed. “Officially not until next month. He seems to forget that…often.”
Neil reached across the table and turned around the concept drawing she’d been working on for her next project. “Who’s this right hand?” She tensed when a weird expression crossed his face. “Sounds like an ass-kisser.”
She laughed at his astuteness. “You’ll find out soon enough.” She laid her finger on the paper and pulled the
drawing back to its original position. “He’ll be here to check up on me.”
He smiled. “Don’t you mean meet with me?”
“Yes.” Shit. She nodded with a little too much vigor. “That’s what I meant.”
He gave her a curious stare. She was giving too much away. Neil didn’t need to know that she was rattled at her father’s lack of confidence in her. She needed to change the subject, and quick.
“Why did you kiss me?”
Wrong topic, Carson. That’s what happened when she was nervous. She failed to filter the words that seemed to just fly out of her mouth.