Because of Sydney (19 page)

“I haven’t seen Mason today. I really want you to come. You can meet my friend Marin, and her girlfriends are in town. It’s going to be fun. You said you needed to meet people on the island, not just tourists. There is nothing better than a Padre bonfire.”

I chewed on the end of my sunglasses. The tips were chipped and jagged from the abuse I gave them. “I want to go, really, but I think it would be awkward if I ran into Mason.”

She huffed. “I haven’t invited him. Bonfires aren’t really his scene. I’ll text you the time, and I can meet you on the boardwalk at the Palm.”

“All right. If you’re sure he’s not going to be there. I think it sounds fun.”

“Awesome.” I could hear the smile in Eden’s voice. “See you tonight. You can tell me what happened between you and Mason.”

“Thanks, Eden. It’s not really a great story.”

“He won’t say anything.”

I didn’t know what that meant. I wanted to analyze it, but I didn’t have time to try to decipher his mind games.

I finally felt cool air breeze over my face. I tucked the phone back in my bag. Maybe things were starting to turn around. My boss had noticed my work. I had my first social invitation since moving to South Padre, and I was about to shake down a source. I smiled, pulling out of the parking lot.

“Hey, Matt.” The intern was bobbing in his chair.

He looked up from the computer. I thought I saw him quickly exit out of a game of solitaire.

“What’s up, reporter girl?”

“Not much. Thought I’d stop by and see if you have anything new for me.” I glanced over his desk. It was just as messy as last week.

He shrugged. “Nothing really. Hey, did you hear about the concert at Bongos? I’m going with a bunch of my buddies. You should check it out.”

“Oh wow.” I pulled the strap on my bag. “Maybe I’ll do that. When is it?”

“Tonight.”

I made my best disappointed face. “Aww, I have plans tonight. I’ll have to check them out another time.”

It didn’t seem to faze him. “Yeah, do it for sure.”

I slid one of the manila envelopes to the side. “Have you had any contractor applications come through for the Lachlan resort?”

Matt swiveled in his chair, lifting his feet off the ground. I was starting to think he was in middle school instead of college. “Got a stack of applications back here.” He handed a pile to me. “I haven’t opened them yet.”

“Clearly.” I smiled. I wondered how many days this stack of mail had been sitting unopened. “Maybe I can help you with it.” I held the letter opener in my hand and began to slice through the tops of the envelopes.

There were applications for fences and new driveway pads. Homeowners building extensions to their houses or adding a garage. I flipped through each one, making a new pile for Matt. Somewhere near the bottom I found it.

“Hattman and Jones,” I whispered.

“You’re pretty awesome. You just saved me a ton of work.” Matt threw the discarded envelopes in the trash.

I smiled. “Glad I could help.” I read through the application. It was a standard general contractor assignment. I couldn’t believe I was the first one to land the information. I scribbled the details on my reporter’s pad and handed the form to Matt.

“Hope you have a great time at the concert tonight.”

“Dude, you know it.” He bobbed in his seat.

Any fear I had that he was going to pursue me had vanished. This was a kid without a care in the world, or one ounce of focus.

“Thanks for the help. See you soon.” I waved as I dashed to my car. I had calls to make to the Hattman and Jones office, research to do on their hiring practices, and a story to finish before five. If Alice was happy with me earlier today, this was going to make her ecstatic.

I filed my story right before deadline. It was nice not to scramble. I had three stories in the books today.

As I was packing up to leave, Alice’s door opened.

“Paige, stop by on your way out.”

“Ok.”

I turned off my computer and clipped my bag closed. I tapped on her door, and opened it slightly.

“Have a seat,” she directed.

I took one of the two chairs facing her desk. Her office was cramped. She barely had enough room to make the turn from the door into her leather chair. There was a tall, skinny window on one side, the other the window to the reporters’ world.

“You’ve had quite the day.”

“Yes. A busy one.”

“First there was the commissioner’s press conference, followed by the trailer park feature, and now the scoop on the resort contractor. I’d say it’s taken three months, but you’ve finally found your groove here.” She smiled at me.

“I’d like to think so.”

“My philosophy is when something is working you don’t interfere with it. I want you on everything and anything to do with the resort development. I don’t know how you got that Mason Lachlan interview, but get another one. Dig into Hattman and Jones. Track down more residents who will be displaced. Everything. All of it. It’s your baby.”

I looked at her, unsure of what to say.

“If you think there is something with the Rodriguez story, go after it. Follow your instincts. They seem to be right so far. I shouldn’t have held you back earlier today.”

“My instincts?”

I thought about what damage my instincts had done. They had betrayed me. I had fallen into the arms of a serial player. Lulled by his insanely piercing eyes and his deep voice. Seduced by his hands and his lips. My instincts told me I could trust him with my secret. I had thought if he held me it meant he was listening. He cared. What I knew is that my instincts were total crap. I couldn’t trust Mason. His agenda was clear.

“Yes, those go-getter, follow-the-story instincts. Your writing is strong. I wouldn’t have hired you otherwise, but since you’ve been here I’ve seen how you’ve struggled with what story to chase, what angle to write. You’ve got those instincts. The past week proves it. Turn out more pieces like you have, and I’ll let you write whatever features you want.”

“Are you serious?” My mouth had to be agape. I reminded myself I was in a meeting with my boss and tried to rearrange it into a smile.

“Have a good night, Paige.” She dismissed me quickly. Alice wasn’t the type of boss to sit around after work and chat. She had too much on her plate.

“You too.” I wiggled out of the seat and maneuvered to the door. “Thank you, Alice.”

“Just keep bringing it.”

“I will.” I closed the door behind me.

I walked to the car, my feet barely touching the asphalt. I wasn’t going to think about the subject or how long I would have to follow the resort story. If I could give Alice what she wanted, then I could focus on something other than Mason’s grand resort. I smiled. Suddenly, the sun didn’t feel blistering, and the steering wheel was bearable. I turned the radio up to seven and let my hair blow in the wind as I steered home.

I didn’t consider myself a beach novice, but I had never been to a bonfire party. Maybe tonight would be the first of many. I held up a pair of cutoff shorts and then a sundress. I opted for the shorts and a shirt with a wide collar that hung off my shoulder.

I fastened a pair of hoops on my ears and grabbed my bag. I was already running late. I sent Eden a quick text. I didn’t want her to leave without me.

Five minutes later I parked in front of the Palm Palace office. I tried to pretend it didn’t bother me. Who was I kidding? My eyes were fixed on Mason’s door. My heart beat rapidly when I walked closer to his staircase. I didn’t want him to walk out and see me, and yet at the same time he was all I could think about.

I shook my head. The light was on. He was probably buried over a stack of financials. Or worse, he had someone with him.

Eden waved from the top of the boardwalk. “Hey, you made it!”

“Yes. Sorry I was running late. I didn’t really know what to wear.”

“That is perfect. It’s still hot on the beach even when the sun goes down. Grey’s already there helping Pick and Conner get set up.”

“Is it a lot of work?”

She shook her head and I followed her steps onto the beach. We sank into the sand. Eden immediately shed her flip flops and carried them in her hand. I did the same.

“The guys collect driftwood and save it for nights like this one. I hope you ate.” She looked over her shoulder at me. “No food, only beer and some lime drink Marin makes. I have no idea what’s in it, but it’s my favorite.”

“I had something before I left my apartment.”

“Good.” She pointed next to us. “That’s where Grey and I live.”

I took in the blue beach house. It looked like an ideal place to live with the man you were madly in love with. There was no doubt they were crazy about each other. “It’s cute. I want to see inside some time.”

“Definitely. The front room is crammed with wedding stuff, but I’d love for you to come over one night. Do you watch
Hiatus
or
Zombie Island
?”

“My DVR is overwhelmed with both.”

“Awesome. Grey barely tolerates them. It would be fun to have someone watch them with me. TV night this week?”

“I’m in. I can bring the wine.”

I could see the beginnings of a small flame as we walked closer. The sand was still warm between my toes. If I dug deep enough with my heel I would graze over a cool patch. There was a small circle of people scattered next to a line of coolers.

“I’ll introduce you to everyone. By the time you leave here you’ll know half of South Padre.”

“I need to meet people.” I said it with more sadness than I intended.

“Come on, drinks first.” She tugged me toward the cooler.

Within seconds I had a red cup in my hand and was sipping Eden’s favorite drink.

“Ok, you have to meet Pick and Connor. Pick is married, but Connor is single. Again.” She whispered the last word.

“All right.”

I didn’t come to the bonfire to meet guys. I wouldn’t admit it out loud, but Mason had wrecked my interest in dating for a while. When I fell asleep I could still smell his skin, feel the warmth under my hands, shiver from the look in his eyes. He wasn’t easy to forget no matter how much I wanted to stop missing him.

“Carolina, who is this?” A lanky guy, with round eyes and a high forehead stepped toward us.