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There had to be a backup plan. He was the kind of man who always had a plan B.
Chelsea ran a hand through her choppy locks. “That’s the challenge we have. We have to make saving bugs sound more impressive and important than relocating the residents. We’ve got to bury that angle and fast.”
“Who said you needed to do that?” I steamed. “Does Mason know?”
“It came from upstairs,” Jackie reported. “Of course he knows. The request came from him. I tried to tell him it’s not going to be easy.”
“No, it’s not.” I handed the half-written article to Chelsea. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
I didn’t care that they were both staring at me. My face was white. I could feel the blood draining and the perspiration on my palms. I tore out of the PR office and raced to the elevator bay. I hit the button, smashing it harder with my finger each time.
I stared at the numbers above the door until finally it opened. I jumped inside, realizing I didn’t pay attention to a damn thing when I walked in this building. My focus had been on him. His eyes, how they fired bits of cobalt when he gave me the tour. His voice, how it growled in my ear when he pointed out the names of the different departments. His skin, how it smelled like a powerful, confident man. A man I couldn’t take my eyes off of.
There were other companies in this building. I think I remembered Mason mentioning law firms, accounting firms, and even an oil company, were co-residents of his. One day he planned to buy the building. For now he was still a tenant. I tapped L for lobby, hoping I would recognize the floor when the elevator deposited me on the level. I rushed from the elevator and headed for the set of revolving doors.
I walked out of the office building not sure which way to go. I fished through my purse looking for my sunglasses. The rays shot around the tall buildings, and for a second I felt so disoriented I considered sitting down to get my bearings, but I couldn’t sit. I couldn’t be still long enough to let it sink in what had happened. If I kept moving, I could keep it away a little while longer. Long enough to get home. I didn’t know my way around Dallas. I held out my hand for a cab. When one pulled up to the curb I hopped in the backseat.
“The airport,” I choked.
“Yes, ma’am.” The driver took off.
I pulled my ticket from my bag. The return flight wasn’t until ten. I had to hope I could fly standby on an earlier flight.
I walked to the ticket counter and handed the woman my voucher. “I was hoping I could fly standby.” I bit hard on my lower lip.
She studied me for a second. “Let me see what we have here.” Her nails clanked on the keyboard.
I waited while she mumbled to herself. “How about the three o’clock?”
I felt the hot tears roll over my cheeks. “Is there anything earlier?” I sniffed. I was not going to break down in the airport. I refused.
“Honey, you all right?” She peered at me.
“I’ll be fine. I just really need to get home.”
“Hold on.” She clanked some more. “The noon flight?”
I nodded. “Yes. Can I do that one?”
“It’s a two hundred dollar change fee.”
I dug through my wallet for the credit card that was an emergency-only backup. This was an emergency. I had to get home. Away from Mason. Away from the super models in PR. Away from Lachlan Corporation, or as Jackie fondly referred to it, Lach Corp.
I handed her the card. “Just get me on the flight please.” At this point I would be willing to pay another hundred dollars to make an earlier plane back to Padre.
It took off in an hour. I returned the card to my wallet after she ran it through the scanner. I heard my phone ring. Mason. I clicked ignore, and shoved the phone in the side pocket of my bag.
“Here you go, honey. I hope everything’s all right.” She handed me a new ticket.
“Thank you.”
I walked toward the security checkpoint and put my bag on the conveyer belt.
“Ma’am, your phone is ringing.” The guard pointed to my bag.
“I can take care of that.” I picked it from my purse and powered it off. I didn’t need to talk to him. I needed to get out of here.
23
