Page 97 of The Silver Fox Brother

Winter

Iarrive at Sterling Luxury at nine-thirty Tuesday morning, coffee in one hand and my laptop bag in the other.

The office Knox gave me yesterday is exactly as I left it—empty desk, bare walls, windows overlooking the city. My team won't be here until this afternoon to set up the larger work table and equipment, so for now it's just me and the basic furniture.

I set my coffee on the desk and pull out my laptop, but before I can open it, there's a knock at the door. Marcus appears, tablet in hand.

"Morning, Ms. Hayes. I have the building access information you requested, and I wanted to coordinate on Mr. Sterling's availability for your meetings this week."

"Thank you." I take the folder he's holding.

"I mentioned to Knox yesterday that I'll need morning sessions for at least the first week or two to review designs and specifications. Eleven or eleven-thirty works best for my schedule."

Marcus taps something on his tablet.

"Mr. Sterling asked me to let you know he'll arrange his schedule as needed to accommodate your preferred times. If 11 AM works best for you, he'll make that work."

Something about that statement makes me pause. Knox Sterling rearranging his schedule around mine feels... significant. More accommodating than I expected from someone with his reputation.

I don't let it show on my face.

"That's very considerate. For today, would his office or mine work better?"

"Let me check." Marcus scrolls through the tablet.

"He has back-to-back meetings until ten-forty-five, then he's clear. Your office would probably be easier for him."

"Perfect. My office at eleven, then."

Marcus makes a note.

"I'll confirm with him. Is there anything else you need to get set up?"

"The access codes and server login should cover it. My team will be here this afternoon with equipment."

"Great. I'll make sure security knows to expect them." He heads toward the door, then stops.

"And Ms. Hayes? Welcome to the team. Everyone's excited about the Sterling Tower project."

"Thank you, Marcus."

He leaves, and I'm alone again with my coffee and the empty office. I spend the next hour unpacking my laptop, connecting to the network, and pulling up the project files. By eleven, I have material samples spread across the desk—stone selections for the two-bedroom unit, fabric swatches, paint chips, tile options for the bathroom.

I'm deep into comparing two different marble options when there's a knock at my door.

I don't look up. "Come in."

"Morning."

Knox's voice.

I glance up. He's standing in the doorway in a dark suit, no tie, looking like he just stepped out of a board meeting. Which he probably did.

"Morning," I say, setting down the marble samples.

"Thanks for making time."

"This project is priority." He steps further into the office, his eyes scanning the materials on my desk.