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“Working with Mr. Stone?” Axel echoed.

“Yup,” I replied. “He and I have been traveling from ranch to ranch, interviewing the staff and other things. I’m here for work.”

Axel nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. Looking at him now, I realized I did have a type—tall, stubborn, and too handsome for their own good.

“So,” I started, taking out my phone and pulling up the notes app, “do you have some time for a few questions for social media?”

I refrained from looking up as I scrolled through and created a separate note for this conversation.

“Sure, anything for you, Sugar.” His voice was laced with challenge and annoyance, like me coming here was inconveniencing him in some way.

Ugh. I nearly gagged at the nickname.

Axel loved pet names and tried many during the six months we were together. Sugar was the only one I didn’t completely recoil at, but hearing it now sent nausea rolling through me.

“How long have you worked for Stone Ranch?”

“Three months.”

Stupid prick.

“How has it been?”

“Great. Can’t complain. Good benefits, better pay than the city, and excellent staff.”

Looking up was a mistake because Axel was staring at me, a smirk on his dumb face. I scowled in return which made him smile even wider.

“How do you feel about Mr. Stone?” I asked.

“From what I hear, he’s a nice guy. My staff sing his praises, so I’d say I like him too.”

“Oh?” I replied. “You haven’t met him?”

Axel shook his head. “Very few people do. Only those he hired himself or those in his close circle. Sometimes, he comes in for dinner but always takes it to go.”

I nodded, running my tongue along my canine.

“I’ll make sure to sing your praises next time I’m alone with him.”

Tawnie giggled but quickly covered her mouth with her hand to recover.

Axel’s smile vanished, and I took that as a small victory.

“I’d also like to interview some of your staff,” I said, looking past him, searching for someone more interesting. “Anyone you recommend?”

Axel groaned but eventually left, returning with his sous-chef.

I spent the next half hour asking questions and snapping pictures to post online. Each of them was kind and cooperative, a trend I was noticing at Stone Ranch.

Once I felt I’d gathered enough, Tawnie and I left the kitchen, stepping out to the back of the resort. The huge double glass doors opened to an expansive field lined with fences holding horses. The setting sun painted the horizon in breathtaking hues of orange and purple, just as Tawnie had described.

“That went better than I thought,” she said, walking beside me as we moved onto the grass.

I shrugged. “Yeah, well, he’s still a class A asshole. Don’t let him fool you. If you hadn’t been there, who knows what would’ve been said.”

“What happened between you two?” Tawnie asked gently.

I shot her a glance that clearly said I wasn’t willing to talk about it. She nodded, mimed zipping her lips, and nodded in understanding.