Turn Over

“Mostly just basic info.”

“Sounds boring.” I didn’t know what she had unearthed over the course of lunch. I tried to keep my eyes off her lips when she talked.

“No, not at all. You’ve accomplished so much for someone who’s twenty-eight.”

“As opposed to someone’s who’s twenty-two? Did I get that right?” I didn’t know why I kept baiting her—only I liked the way she looked when I got under her skin. It was fucking sexy as hell.

“My age is not a part of this conversation, but it’s twenty-three. You are the topic.”

“Twenty-three.” I waggled my eyebrows at her. “Hate to disappoint you, but I’ve got to run.”

“Here’s my card.” Sydney shoved a square business card into my hand as I tried to leave the table. “At least consider giving me an interview. You could get ahead of the pushback the locals are going to give you.”

“I don’t get pushback.”

“This isn’t like other places, Mr. Lachlan.” I liked how she said my name. This girl was a spitfire. She didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by who I was.

I tucked the card into my wallet. I had no intention of calling her. “It was a pleasure seeing you again, Miss Paige.”

I brushed past her.

“You’ll change your mind,” she called behind me.

If only she knew how rarely that happened.

4

Sydney

I watched Mason Lachlan walk away for the second time today. Everything about him was cool and certain. While I was turning into a puddle in the Texas heat, he looked unfazed in his crisp white shirt. I tried to ignore how he smelled when he passed by. Even his cologne was like confidence in a bottle.

My quick online search had brought up several business profile articles on the young developer. I skimmed them quickly over lunch while keeping an eye on his meeting with Commissioner Hernandez.

He was named one of the top young entrepreneurs. Economists predicted his net worth would exceed a billion dollars by the time he hit his thirtieth birthday if he continued to acquire deals at his current rate.

His company, The Lachlan Corporation, was the fastest-growing land investment company in Texas. I kicked myself for not knowing who he was. It was only another piece of evidence that I was reporting in the wrong field.

He bought and sold properties all over the country. He didn’t seem particular whether he acquired an abandoned school or an urban sky scraper. He was in the business of making money.

His headshot was the same in each article. He wore a tailored suit, a smile most models would pay for, and a look in his eyes that said he was on his way to conquering the world.

I didn’t have much to go on, but I knew he was involved in the development deal. I could sense it. The problem was I only had four hours until my deadline and had nothing to add to my story.

I walked into the parking lot not sure where I was going to find more for this story. Ever since I took the News & Record job I felt as if I were constantly trying to play keep up.

It had been three months since I moved here, but I still didn’t know anyone and I wasn’t the savvy business reporter I had presented myself as. Alice knew it, but she hadn’t publicly called me out on it. She was giving me a chance to prove myself. At least I had convinced myself that was the case.

Today could be my last day. I needed to produce an article.

I leaned my makeshift bun against the headrest. The wind had whipped apart every hairstyle I tried today. Mason probably thought I was a disheveled mess. I doubted it would make a difference. He wasn’t going to answer my questions.

The thoughts had been there since I met Shawna and Lindy this morning. The ones that crept into the back of my eyes, burning images like a movie playing on a screen I couldn’t stop watching. I wished I could pick up the phone and call Hailey. She would tell me something that would make me laugh. Instead I was sitting in a hot as hell car with no clue where my sister and niece were.

I turned up the radio to block out the memories. The country music in Texas was starting to grow on me. It had a different sound. Sometimes I felt as if the guys singing were sitting next to me.

The air conditioner was blowing at the highest fan speed. God, what was I doing here?

I noticed Commissioner Hernandez was on his phone. His face red from the heat. City Hall would have to be my next stop. All of the development applications would pass through there first. I hoped whichever company won the land bid at the private auction would be anxious to start the development paperwork.