Christmas Diamonds by Devon Vaughn Archer Read Free Book Online

room and just need your approval now.”
    “All right.” He got up from his desk and moved up to her. “This should be interesting.”
    Paula laughed softly. “As long as that translates into your liking the result.”
    I like you, and that’s a good start , Chase mused, even if their affiliation was strictly professional. It didn’t mean that couldn’t change over the course of time. He was certainly open to the possibility.
    His lips curved into a smile. “Let’s take a look at your work.”
    Chase felt some anxiety at what he might see when he rounded the corner of the curved hallway. As far as he was concerned, there was no turning back. He just hoped he didn’t live to regret his decision to redecorate.
    The first thing Chase noticed upon entering the great room was the chenille sectional and rounded glass-top coffee table. He eyed the primavera end tables and Tiffany lamps, then shifted his gaze to the smartly arranged taupe leather chairs and pedestal cocktail table. The half-round pine curio fit nicely, and an arrangement of artwork seemed perfectly suited to the room. He glanced at the Caribbean rug beneath his feet and then the new window treatments before settling his eyes on the interior decorator.
    “Well, what do you think?” Paula looked at him expectantly, while her crew also waited to hear his opinion.

    It took Chase a moment or two to adjust to the changes in the great room, so stark were the differences. But there was no doubt in his mind that this had been the right decision. “I absolutely love it!” he declared.
    “That’s a relief.” Paula took a breath, eliciting chuckles from everyone.
    “Good job.” Chase grinned at her. “Your sketch didn’t do proper justice to this very nice transformation.”
    “I’m glad you like it,” Paula said, offering a toothy smile.
    Chase pinched his nose. “I think the room suits me well and will be perfect for get-togethers.”
    “I was picturing the same thing,” Paula told him.
    “I guess we were on the same wavelength without even realizing it,” he suggested.
    She nodded. “Looks that way.”
    “We’re done here, then?” asked Bradford, the contractor.
    “I think so.” Paula regarded Chase. “If there’s anything you’d like rearranged, we’re happy to do it.”
    Chase scanned the room again, looking for an excuse to change something. He couldn’t find one. He was certain that Rochelle would have approved, too. “Wouldn’t change a thing,” he said positively.
    “Then our mission is complete,” Paula told her team. “Everyone can go about their business till we meet again.”
    Chase watched Paula show them out the door before she returned, leaving them alone. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he felt good when he was with her.
    “Would you like to have a glass of wine to celebrate a job well done?” he asked.
    She beamed, licking her lips. “Sure, I’d love one.”
     
    Paula was delighted to have gained another satisfied client, especially this particular client. She never took her work for granted or felt confident that repeat business was a given. She certainly hoped for another opportunity to do more redecorating for Chase in the future.

    At the moment, Paula welcomed the offer to have a drink with Chase, if only to spend more time with him. She admired him in a polo sweater and slacks as they stood in his kitchen. This was the first time she had seen him dressed casually, and the image definitely agreed with her.
    “Here you go,” Chase said, handing her a goblet of red wine.
    She smiled. “Thank you.”
    He sipped his wine, gazing at her. “Have you always had an eye for interior decoration?”
    “I suppose I have to one degree or another,” she said. “I was pretty good way back in the day at making my bedroom the coolest place to hang out with my girlfriends.”
    Chase nodded thoughtfully. “I’m sure they were envious.”
    Paula chuckled. “I think it was more about who had the best clothes