Page 15 of Falling for Mr. Grump, the Big City Billionaire

Of course.

I watch her struggle for another moment, a smirk tugging at my lips. "You're doing it wrong."

"I know how to use a key card," she snaps, but the frustrated flush creeping up her neck suggests otherwise.

"Clearly." I push off the doorframe. "It's not rocket science. Just a simple matter of proper timing and..." I reach for her key card, my fingers brushing hers.

She yanks her hand back like she's been burned, but not before I catch the key card.

The movement throws her off balance, and she stumbles backward, right into me.

My hands instinctively go to her waist to steady her. Suddenly, the hallway feels about ten degrees warmer and forty feet smaller.

"I don't need your help," she says, but she's not moving away.

"Evidence suggests otherwise." My voice comes out lower than I intended.

Her vanilla and sea salt fragrance is doing strange things to my ability to think straight.

The door across the hall opens, and we both jump apart like guilty teenagers. An elderly couple walks past, giving us knowing looks that make my ears burn.

I clear my throat and swipe her key card with perhaps more force than necessary. The light turns green. "There. Was that so difficult?"

She snatches the card back, her fingers grazing my palm. "I loosened it for you."

"Is that what we're calling it?"

"Don't you have somewhere to be?"

The reminder of my actual purpose here lands like a bucket of cold water. "Actually, yes. Important meeting. Thank you for reminding me.”

"Whatever." She steps into her room, then pauses. "Oh, and by the way? Your tie is crooked."

The door closes in my face before I can tell her I'm not even wearing a tie. I adjust my collar anyway, cursing under my breath.

This female is going to be the death of me.

I absolutely know it.

When I finally make it to the diner, Drew is waiting with two cups of coffee and a mischievous expression. It tells me he saw Skye heading to my hallway.

Why does he keep seeing me in this state?

"Not. One. Word." I slide into the booth across from him.

"Wouldn't dream of it." He pushes one of the drinks toward me. "Though I have to say, brother, I've never seen you quite so... ruffled by someone before."

I take a long chug of coffee, buying time. "I'm not ruffled. I'm annoyed. There's a difference."

"Uh-huh." Drew leans back, studying me. "So, want to tell me what you're really doing here? Because I know it's not only to harass attractive food truck owners."

And there it is.

I set down my cup, meeting his gaze. "Board members want to acquire more key properties in Seaside Cove. Transform it into a luxury destination." The words taste bitter, even more so after seeing how Drew's expression darkens.

"They want to what?" His voice is quiet, dangerous. "Troy, these are people's livelihoods. Their homes. You can't just-"

"You think I don't know that?" I run a hand through my hair as I interrupt. "But the board is unanimous, including our sisters. It's business. It’s what big businesses do. They take over. Even our sisters are pushing for it. If we don't move on it, our competitors will."

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