Page 27 of Inevitable

“We, um—wow, you have a good memory,” she said, and I smirked. “This is a, um, different anniversary.” She dipped her head, cheeks flushing.

Interesting.Alexis was always composed, in control, a badass. So, to see her ruffled… I laughed to myself but didn’t inquire further.

“Anyway, what do you think of the house?” she asked.

I rubbed a hand over my jaw. “The price needs to come down, but I’m game if you are.”

“I wouldn’t have shown it to you if I weren’t.” She grinned. “And I’ll see what I can negotiate.”

She locked up and we said goodbye, and then I helped Sumner into the truck before climbing in myself. She shifted, her skirt riding higher up her thighs. I gripped the steering wheel, struggling to push away thoughts of them wrapped around my head. Her taste on my tongue. My name on her lips.

“You and Alexis seem close,” she finally said. “Are you business partners? Friends?”

“A bit of both. She owns a very successful residential brokerage, and she wanted to get into development. Sometimes, we collaborate. I’m her silent investor, and I do some of the work.”

She nodded, though I could tell she still had questions. “Thank you for trusting me with this. It’s clear that you love it. That it lights you up inside.”

“You asked about my ideal day,” I said, twisting the steering wheel beneath my hands. “This is it.” I met her eyes, referring more to the time spent with her than anything else.

* * *

“Your four o’clockis waiting in the conference room, and Eric’s appendix ruptured,” Cody said from the doorway to my office.

My head snapped up from my desk. “What?”

“The client is waiting.” Cody’s calm tone did nothing to relax me.

“Yes. I heard that part,” I seethed. “What’s up with Eric?”

“His fiancée just called. He’s going in for emergency surgery now.”

I stared at Cody. “He’ll be able to go to New York, right? I mean, it’s a fairly straightforward procedure.”

“Wolfe, it’s major surgery. Even my brief internet search told me he’s going to be out for a week, maybe even two or three.”

“Three weeks?” I choked. “He’s the lead on the Sheffield project. He’s spent weeks preparing for this trip. Not to mention all the work he did on Anderson and the other clients we’re supposed to meet.”

“Perhaps we can have him join you virtually?” Cody offered. “But considering the painkillers he’s going to be on, he’d probably be more of a liability than anything.”

“Fuck.” I slammed my palm against the desk, needing to expel some energy. It didn’t accomplish anything, but it felt good. “Okay.” I straightened, smoothing down my tie. “We’ll talk about this when I’m done with my meeting. I want options.”

“Already on it.”

I tried to focus on the client, but my mind was elsewhere. After I’d escorted her to the lobby, Cody met me outside my office. It was nearly six, and I loosened my tie. The office was fairly empty, most of the employees having already left for the day.

“I thought of someone.”

“Great. Who?” I pushed open the door to my office and settled behind my desk as I waited for my laptop to wake up.

“Sumner.”

I opened my mouth, ready to balk at his suggestion. Eric was a senior member of the team. She was an intern. I didn’t have a problem with taking her, but I imagined our clients might see it as a sign of disrespect.

Cody was undeterred. “She’s great with clients, and it would be a good learning experience for her. Besides, you don’t have many options. Amanda is on maternity leave,” Cody said, eliminating my next suggestion. God, he knew me well. “And Layton has that meeting with the Windham Group next week, plus a number of other obligations it would be best not to shift, period, let alone last minute.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why are you so keen for me to take Sumner?”

“Because I see her potential, and I know you do too.” I continued to stare him down, scrutinizing him until he lifted his hands in mock surrender. “What?”