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

Jeremy watched as Jack left through the front door. “Not gay, is he?” he asked hopefully.
    “Don’t think so.” Sienna glanced at her watch. “If we’re done here, I have another appointment with the caterers.”
    “Sure, I’ll be in touch.” Jeremy air-kissed both her cheeks. “I’m looking forward to finishing this job. Even more now that I’ve checked out the new eye candy in the gallery.”
    The morning had been busier than usual, and Sienna was pleased. Maybe it would give Jack a different perspective on how the place worked. She couldn’t figure him out, and it was messing with her head. At least it got her mind off this morning’s conversation with Georgie. Her twin had tried to hide how upset she was, but Sienna could read her like a book. She’d always been able to, and she’d protected Georgie from the time they were small.
    Marietta, their mother, had called. Somehow she’d finally gotten wind of them selling the restoration business and wanted to meet up with Georgie. She knew better than to call Sienna.
    “Don’t…don’t even think about giving her a cent.” Sienna had been so angry she’d had trouble getting the words out.
    “She’s our mother. She’s already explained why she needs it.”
    “She’s not our mother. She took off and left us with Uncle Renzo.”
    “I feel sorry for her. Her partner’s ill and she needs the money for his operation.”
    “Partner number what? Six? Seven?” Sienna had swallowed and tried to inject calm into her voice. “Georgie, listen to me. How long since we last heard from her? You think about it.”
    There had been a long silence at the other end of the phone. “Not for a while.”
    “That’s right. Not since Uncle Renzo sold his business and had some spare cash. When he wouldn’t listen to her, she came to get us to do her dirty work. Remember? There was a sick partner back then too.”
    “I remember.” Georgie’s voice had broken, and Sienna tried hard not to soften.
    “Where is she now?”
    “She’s in L.A., but she’s going to come up and visit me next week.”
    “If she does, I’ll deal with her. Now promise me you won’t send her money in the meantime.”
    “All right. I promise. Maybe we’ll catch up this weekend?”
    “Probably not. I’ve got a stack of work to do in the studio, if I want to be free the next Sunday for Faith’s birthday.” Sienna had tried to lighten the conversation. “Have you got your fairy dress out?”
    “Ha ha.”
    “Ana wants us all to wear the pink set. Did she tell you?”
    “Yes, she told me. I think you’re all mean to me.” Georgie had laughed, to Sienna’s relief. She’d ended up with the red hair and they teased her about it. “So what’s happening with the gallery?”
    “I’ll fill you in at the party. You’re not bringing that Cal sleazebag, are you?”
    “It’s Cole, and no, I am not bringing him.” Georgie had sighed. “But I have met this other guy—”
    “That was quick.”
    “He’s—”
    “I have to go to work, talk later.” Sienna knew if Georgie got started on the new guy, they’d be on the phone for ages, so she ended the call. Sometimes it was hard staying strong, but Georgie was softhearted and she couldn’t see when someone was trying to use her. She hadn’t listened to what Sienna had tried to tell her the other night. At least she’d found something else to focus her energy on besides worrying about their mother. Hopefully the new guy she’d met wasn’t another user—usually, they saw Georgie’s goodness and homed straight in.
    Sienna shook away the thoughts and walked to the front of the store. She greeted Gina and Carla, the caterers who worked out of Giovanni’s coffee shop, and they sat down to work out the details for the launch supper at her exhibition.
    The morning flew by as it always did, and as the tourists hit the streets, the gallery filled, and Sienna was pleased with the sales she made. Jack didn’t reappear for a couple of