Page 17 of Tempting Frey
Oliver’s eyes glittered, but his expression remained carefully neutral. “I suggest consulting a zoning expert.”
“We don’t have the money for that,” Jesse argued.
“We’ll never have any unless Beauville is allowed to grow,” Oliver replied.
“It’s only your first day…”
Whatever Jesse was about to say couldn’t land well.
“Oliver,” I interrupted. “Find someone competent and ask for a quote for a short, introductory consultation. I also want to know what specific benefits the update would bring. We’ll talk about it more next Monday.”
He lifted his chin, a clear challenge in his gaze. “Thank you.” His tone was only a tad indignant. Damn, he looked beautiful when he was on a roll.
Then my eyes fell on Chickie, and I cringed.
My friend was staring at me with one eyebrow raised, his arms folded across his chest. Did he notice something weird in my behavior toward his son?
Shit.
I quickly studied my screen. There was nothing on it, just my desktop with a mess of icons. “Okay. If that’s all, how about we wrap up for today?”
Oliver was the first one out. I exhaled with relief when he left the room. Chickie put his hat back on and gave me another strange look.
“The boy sure moves fast,” Jesse grumbled when both father and son were out of earshot.
I closed my laptop and stood. “Maybe we move too slowly.”
In the afternoon, Oliver knocked on the door to my office. “Can we talk?”
My first instinct was to say no, but I worked with the man, dammit. At least the window was open. “Come in.”
He closed the door and took a couple of steps into the room. “You look terrified of me.”
“No!” I blurted.
Oliver raised his eyebrows. “I think it’s time we address some things.”
Oh hell, no. Please, no.I wanted to hide under my desk and pretend I’d never seen Oliver in sheer turquoise lace.
“Look, I put you in an extremely awkward position,” Oliver said, sounding steady, and I was ashamed of my own weakness. “Back then, after my birthday party,” he clarified.
“I know what you mean,” I hurried to say before he could elaborate.
He lifted his chin and squared his shoulders. With me sitting at my desk and him standing in front of it, he looked like a schoolboy in a principal’s office. Except between the two of us, he seemed to be the mature one. I would have stood up, but I didn’t want to move closer to him in case I smelled him again.
“My behavior was selfish and reckless,” he said, “and my apology is long overdue.”
“It’s okay, Oliver. It’s been years.”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “Yet you do your best to avoid me.”
I hung my head. I had nothing to say to that. He was right.
“We’ll be working closely together,” Oliver continued, “and I’ll need you on my side with the council.”
“Of course. As long as I agree with you.”
That smirk. It should be illegal.
