Best Friends Forever

“Ron, what if I were looking? I have a lot of ideas for this development.”

He shrewdly raises his eyebrows. “Are you saying you would consider it? Even relocating?”

I shrug nonchalantly. I don’t want to seem too eager, and I am not 100 percent convinced that working for Ron would be a walk in the park. It might not be any more productive than working for Nathan, but it certainly would be simpler than trying to start a brand-new business on my meager finances, I have to admit.

“For the right project, I might be convinced,” I suggest.

He pantomimes surprise, rocking back and smirking. “Well, that is good news! What if I talked to the hiring manager?” He pivots to one side, pretending to talk to an invisible person while I try to control my eye-rolling reflex. “Okay! You’re hired!”

“What are we talking about? Who’s hired?”

I practically flinch, startled. Clay walks up to us with Starbucks cups in his hands, and my mouth goes dry as the words turn to dust on my tongue. He squints at Ron accusingly.

“Dude, you’re never going to believe what just happened.”

Chapter 11

Clay

The only place there is ever traffic in this county is near the county buildings. It’s not that I am the most punctual person in the world, but I do not want to be late today.

The girl at the Starbucks drive-through is awfully nice, practically leaning halfway out the window to give me my drinks. Her eyes slide up and down the lines of the Jag with longing. I almost hear her sigh.

“You going to church?” she flirts.

“Not likely, sweetheart,” I answer before driving off, leaving her open-mouthed.

I shouldn’t be rude, but another twenty-something with eyes for my car? I don’t think so. Next time I won’t even let that kind of nonsense in the door.

I spot Ron in his lucky purple tracksuit all the way from the parking lot. He’s got his feet planted, rolling his beer belly back and forth while he waits for his moment. He looks like one of those guys you see at the racetrack, waiting for his horse to get to the starting gate.

As I’m climbing the steps, a dark flash catches my eye. A light breeze ruffles a wave of silky dark hair out to the side like a banner, and time comes to an abrupt stop.

What is Penny doing here?

Even though I’m still far away, I can practically read her mind by the expressions that flash across her features. She’s nervous, expectant. Calculating. She raises her hand—is she bidding? And then I see her shock, her disappointment, and notice Ron rowing his arms triumphantly.

Oh no, this can’t be good.

They don’t see me walk up. They’re negotiating something, I can tell.

“You’re hired!” I hear Ron say.

That can’t be possible.

“What are we talking about?” I interrupt. “Who’s hired?”

“Dude, you are not going to believe what just happened!” Ron marvels.

Penny turns to me in slow motion, startled, alarmed. She draws breath to gasp and I automatically hand her the coffee. I don’t know why—it just seems like I should give her something.

“Sorry… I didn’t realize you’d be here. I hope you still drink cappuccino.”

“Y-Yes,” she stammers. “I do. Thank you.”

Those eyes—so clear. I know they’re supposed to be windows to the soul, but hers really are. She’s off-balance now.

“Penny is going to be working for you on the Crosswind project, Clay,” Ron announces triumphantly.