Brushing Off the Boss: A Half Moon Bay Novel (Entangled Bliss) by Annie Seaton Page B

crazy to move even one sculpture twice, but it had put a dent in his plans having to wait a couple of weeks before he could start work. There was enough space and light here to do some of his modeling, but he needed the kilns, so he’d wait out the two weeks. He ignored the little voice telling him that he was worried his work wouldn’t measure up.
    But he’d made a deal with Sienna and he’d stick to his word. He wouldn’t let being at loose ends interfere with his decision to keep her at arm’s length. If he got bored just hanging around and not working, he’d go out and explore the district. Go up and visit Blake. Play some golf. Catch a wave. He’d leave Sienna in peace until she’d finished her own work, and then he’d get to know about the gallery when she wasn’t so busy.
    The problem was that wasn’t the way his thoughts were taking him. Finally, he drifted off and awoke refreshed a short time later. The afternoon stretched ahead, and Jack decided to go for a walk around the lake. When he opened the front door, he noticed the Monterey County Herald lying on the table on the porch, and he tucked it beneath his arm as he set off.
    …
    By the time Sienna finished enameling the batch of frogs, it was after dark. She pushed her helmet up and rubbed her eyes. It was hot down here with the kilns on, and her clothes were damp from perspiration. Her stomach was grumbling; she’d only snatched a quick lunch once she’d finished the first batch of frogs and hadn’t eaten since. As soon as she got home, a shower, a meal, and a glass of wine on her back porch would complete the day. She put her hand up to her eyes and rubbed.
    She arranged the frogs on the shelves and stood back. Satisfaction rippled through her. They were good. In fact, they were better than good.
    They’re fabulous. If I say so myself.
    The red one with his leg dangling inches below the green enameled log she’d wrapped him around was her favorite. It was one of the best pieces she’d done yet. Three more batches to enamel and she’d be ready for the show. But tomorrow she had planned to focus on publicity and organizing event logistics. There weren’t enough hours to get everything done. She had some more media sheets to send out, and she had back-to-back appointments with artists wanting to book their own shows, as well as meeting with the caterers for her first-night launch event.
    Where will Jack fit into all this?
    Even though they discussed the studio and his living arrangements, they hadn’t discussed anything about her day-to-day running of the gallery now that he was here. He was so casual about it. Did he really want the gallery to succeed or not? She shrugged, flicked on the night-light to leave the gallery softly lit, and pulled the door shut behind her. She’d keep doing things her way until he told her to change them,
    Fifteen minutes later, she drove her sports car into the small carport next to her cottage. The house was in darkness, although she noticed that the padlock on the garage doors was locked. Jack was likely home and in bed already. Sienna let herself in quietly, slipped off her shoes and padded barefoot along to her bathroom. She threw her clothes into the linen basket and turned the shower on hot. The hard jets of water soothed her neck and refreshed her, and once she was dry, she tucked a towel around her breasts and wandered into her bedroom. Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea, jumping in and offering him the apartment. It was going to be hard getting used to having someone else around. No more wandering around half dressed. She slipped on some underwear and tied a loose sarong around her before she headed out to the kitchen.
    It won’t be for long.
    Once she finished the last batch of firing in the kiln in two weeks, she could start looking for a studio. Then she had to decide whether she was going to stay working for him or look for some other place to buy. She bit her lip. Jack’s idea about building