Page 67 of My Forbidden Boss

She scoffs, then catches herself. Her cheeks redden. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Don’t apologize. Say what you think, Adeline. You know that building personally,” I say.

Her sharp inhale is audible. Terror takes hold of her features. Her mouth opens and closes. “Then you know…” Her voice is strangled. Thins to nothing.

“Are you worried about your friend, Maddy?” I say.

She blinks and her face shutters. “Yes. Of course. I’m worried for my…friend.”

“Your friend will have housing made available to her,” Taylor says.

Her gaze lights with fire when it settles on Taylor. “They may be relocated, but there’s no provision.”

Taylor swivels his attention between the two of us. “What makes you say that?”

She puts her fork on her plate, lunch forgotten, and narrows her gaze. “Where are those people going to be relocated to?”

“Several places,” Taylor says.

“Yes, several places. Either interstate or other small towns. Out of society’s eyes and thoughts, just as they always are,” she says.

Taylor shifts in his seat. He’s uncomfortable, but I’m more interested in what Adeline has to say. For the first time in days, the fire is back and I’m riveted. “The tender is more about the development itself, rather than the people already there, but Adeline has a point. Those provisions don’t sound adequate,” I say.

“It’s hard enough for them in a small-minded small town where they’re not accepted. If you move them to places that will be worse than the population of Moss Creek, most won’t survive. They won’t find jobs. Support. Understanding. Just more bigoted people who will grind them into the dirt,” Adeline says.

“I…haven’t really thought about it like that,” Taylor says.

“I can see this being a bonus to the council and to you politically speaking if you made better provision,” I say.

Taylor’s lips twitch. “I see what you’re doing, Chandler, and I can’t say I don’t like it, but I need something solid to go back to the council with. An idea to fight for.”

“What about asking the people living there to help with the development,” Adeline says.

“In what way?” Taylor asks.

“It’s not the development as such that’s a problem. God knows the building is dilapidated, but it’s their home. Most have been living there for years. Being transplanted halfway across the country isn’t the answer. Blue Sky’s housing development is solid, but…” She takes a deep breath. “It could be better.”

This time my own lips twitch. I stop myself from smiling in case it takes away her confidence to speak her mind. “Better?”

She smudges a crinkle in to the tablecloth with her finger. “Instead of rehousing people, why not ask them to stay, but with jobs? Build a section of units for the workers the community will need. Maintenance staff. Gardeners. Build a community center with a gym, a cafe, a swimming pool, tennis courts and small supermarket so the people living there don’t have to go to the main town for small supplies. You could even build a small child care center and elementary school if you configure the housing layout to suit. There’s more than enough land. It will provide people with jobs and added luxury for homeowners who buy a house there who are looking for a community and not land to build a house. Everyone can have a good life there. It’s win win.”

A slow smile spreads across Taylor’s face. He sits back in his seat, his eyes glazing as he thinks. “The more I think about it, the more I think the council will like it.”

“Blue Sky is more than able to accommodate a plan like that,” I say. It also gives him political leverage. The poor are a commodity. They always have been.

“You could?” she says. I don’t miss the startled look crossing Adeline’s face. I smile. I want her to know I like her the way she thinks.

“It’s a clever idea, Adeline. It’ll set Blue Sky apart,” I say.

“The tenders are being considered next week,” Taylor pauses and leans closer to us. His voice is barely above a whisper. “I really shouldn’t say anything, but I will because I like this idea. It’s unique and is the answer to many political dilemmas. The Keystone Group’s tender is very similar to yours in both breadth and scope, but their costing is considerably lower.”

How the fuck did that happen? In my experience, estimating the costs on tenders can be wide-reaching, but undercutting on all costs? “How close?”

Taylor’s lips twitch. “Very.”

“Is there something you should tell me about your security?” I say. I run through my head the people I’ve employed to work on the tender and come up with a handful. They’ve submitted other tenders in the past and nothing like this has ever happened. I trust every one of them.

Taylor leans close to me. “Max Bourke submitted his tender several days before yours. I can assure you, everything about our processes is secure. Blue Sky has a top reputation, which is why I mention it at all. Something doesn’t sit right.”

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