Page 41 of Please, Stay

“I’m with her.” Grayson’s body towered over hers. He’d shifted from boyfriend to bodyguard.

“Unless you are on the cleared list for the day, we can’t allow you to accompany her past the lobby. She has an appointment and was cleared last week.”

Grayson pointed at the bench near the entrance. “I’ll wait over there.”

“No.” The lack of inflection in the guard’s voice left no room for questions.

“Fine.” He ran a hand down Juliana’s hair. “I saw a coffee shop across the street. I’ll wait there until you’re done.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Call me if you need me.”

She nodded, feeling a little piece of her confidence escape as he exited the building.

“I’m sorry about that, ma’am.”

“No, it’s fine.” She smiled at the guard. “I understand. Do I wait here for Mr. Spencer?”

“You won’t have to wait long.” The high-pitched male voice startled her. She spun around. Mr. Spencer was not old. In fact, he might have been her own age.

Blond, almost white hair and brown eyes. A small, straight nose. He didn’t fill out his suit, not the way Grayson filled out a simple shirt, and it made him appear even thinner. His collar, although buttoned, didn’t fit his neck. A little kid playing dress-up.

“Hi, I’m Lawrence Spencer.” His damp hand shook hers. She smiled wider to keep from grimacing at the contact.

“Juliana Campbell.”

“A reporter, right?Statem Dispatch.” He pulled her hand forward and turned it over. She’d scrubbed her hands the night before, but the light ink stains were still evident. “Yup. I see the marks. I interned at a small press in college. Nothing but grunt work to put out a ten-page paper about bake sales and lost dogs.”

She pulled her hand away, ignoring his insult. He smiled, revealing a row of white, perfect teeth. With his spray tan, she almost wanted to poke him to see if he was real.

“I help with the printing every weekend.” She narrowed her eyes. “Grunt work as you call it.”

He turned on his heel and started walking away. She glanced back at the security guard.

He rolled his eyes and motioned her to follow Mr. Spencer.

What man just walked away and expected a woman to follow? Mr. Spencer continued to ramble on about his college days up north when she caught up with him. Was he really the assistant’s assistant? He seemed to have a lot more self-importance than the position necessitated.

Again, Mr. Spencer walked ahead of her into his office. Strange. No “ladies first” ritual for Mr. Spencer. In his mind, Mr. Spencer came first and everyone else second. Fine. If that’s what he needed to feel significant, Juliana could play to his conceit to get the story.

He down sat behind his desk and motioned to a seat in front. Juliana perched on the edge of the leather chair and crossed her ankles to the side. Her hands trembled as she opened her portfolio. She grasped the leather case tighter. He wasn’t worth the nervous energy.

“Tell me about yourself, Ms. Campbell.” He motioned to her hands. “I see you don’t have a ring, so I assume it is stillMs.”

His assumption didn’t even deserve an answer. “There’s not much to tell.”

“Don’t be so modest.” He leaned back in the large, high-backed, black leather chair. “I’m sure you’re very interesting.” His eyes flicked down her body and back up.

Gross.

This story better be worth it.

“No, really, I’m not. I wanted to ask you about the Governor entertaining any plans to shift the highway that will run next to Statem.” The quicker they got down to business, the faster she’d get back to Grayson.

His smile tightened. “Yes, I got your little list of questions. I’m not sure why it’s such an issue.”

Irritation pricked at the back of her neck. “The highway will cut right along a city park. As of now, it’s on the other side of a fairly thick grove of trees that block out the noise and the danger for kids.”

“I’d suggest you speak with your mayor about moving the park.”

She gripped the portfolio even tighter, her voice remaining amazingly level. “Statem doesn’t have the resources to just pick up and move a park.”

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