Page 58 of Making It Burn

"You're good at this," she said, pouring herself a cup."Explaining complex regulatory issues in a way that actually makes sense.That's a rare skill."

"Thank you.Your team makes it easy—you ask the right questions."

"Well, we have a vested interest in getting this right."She added cream to her coffee, then looked up at me through her lashes."So, Mason.What do you do when you're not revolutionizing medical device regulations?"

"I...work, mostly."

She laughed."That's what I figured.You have that look about you."

"What look?"

"The 'I haven't taken a vacation in five years and color-code my file folders' look."

Despite myself, I smiled."Chronologically, actually.Within each color category."

"Oh my god, I was joking but you actually do that?"Beverly shook her head, grinning."Okay, that settles it.You need to let loose while you're here.Have you been to New Orleans before?"

"Once, briefly."

"Then you haven't really been.This city isn't meant to be experienced through hotel windows, Mason.You need to get out there.Feel it."She leaned in slightly."Tell you what—after we wrap up today, let me take you out.Show you the real New Orleans."

I felt rather than saw Beau approach from behind me.

"Everything okay over here?"His voice was carefully controlled, but I knew him well enough now to hear the edge underneath.

"Perfect," Beverly said, turning her smile on him."I was just telling Mason that I'm taking you both out tonight.To celebrate a productive day of meetings."

"Both of us?"Beau repeated.

"Of course!You're a team, right?"She glanced between us."Unless you have other plans?"

"No plans," I said.

"None," Beau added, his eyes on me.

"Wonderful!There's this place in the Marigny—incredible music, great drinks, locals only.We'll go after the meetings wrap up.Say, seven o'clock?"Beverly checked her phone."Oh, looks like it’s time to get back to work.Shall we?"

She walked back to the conference room, leaving Beau and me standing by the coffee station.

"She's friendly," Beau said flatly.

"She's being professional."

"She's flirting with you."

"She's not—" I stopped."And even if she was, why would it matter?We're colleagues, remember?"

Beau's jaw worked."Right.Colleagues."

"Beau—"

"We should get back to the meeting."He walked away before I could say anything else.

The afternoon session went even better than the morning.By four o'clock, we'd covered everything on the agenda and then some.Richard was beaming, Marcus was already drafting follow-up emails, and Janet was talking about implementation timelines.

"Gentlemen," Richard said, standing and offering his hand to both of us, "this has been incredibly productive.You've addressed every concern, answered every question, and quite frankly, made us very excited about this merger."

"We're glad we could help," I said.