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“It’s not mine either,” I replied.
“Then we’re well matched. I’m glad you agreed to do this.”
I took a deep breath. “Like I said, I won’t go easy on you with this profile.”
He opened his mouth to speak but then closed it, and his expression changed. “Robert, what is it?”
I turned in my seat to see a man in a business suit striding through the open sliding doorway uniting the terrace with the main house. He was older than Landon, with a ruddy face and a rumpled suit. Still, I recognized him immediately as one of the key components of Sparks Innovation. Robert gave me a small wave, even though he’d only corresponded with me via phone and email. He was mostly fixated on Landon.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your dinner,” he said as he crossed to our location. “Peggy let me in.”
Landon pushed away from the table. “’Is it urgent?”
“Yes.” Robert glanced at a portfolio under the crook of his arm. “If you don’t mind, a matter at the new headquarters has come up, and it needs your attention.”
Something unspoken passed between them, and Landon stood from his chair. “Certainly.” His attention fell back to me. “I’m sorry, Rebecca, but we’ll have to end this for now. Can we pick this up tomorrow morning? Eight?”
“Absolutely.”
He gestured to the food on the table. “Please, continue to enjoy the meal. I’d hate for it to go to waste.”
I nodded.
“Shall we?”
Robert handed Landon the folio. “While we’re on the way, please take a moment to look this over.”
Landon said goodbye to me and the two men strode back into the house, leaving me alone with the wine, charcuterie, and uneaten salads. I surveyed them and the crashing Atlantic waves in the distance, then remembered to stop the recorder on my phone. The whole place was quiet and still, and almost like a resort, not a house—warm without being personal, and stilted.
I jotted a few notes in my phone and sent a message to Olivia, even though I knew she was likely on duty at the bar.
You’re not going to believe this. He’s... he’s weirder than I thought.
Her reply came seconds later.
I have been waiting to hear! So, is it going well?
Me:As well as it can, considering I’m interviewing a petulant, eccentric billionaire. His Palm Beach mansion is crazy, by the way. Check this out.
I snapped a few photos of the veranda, backyard, and ocean view, all of which turned out well in the fading light. Then I texted them to her.
Holy shiiiit!Olivia replied.
I smiled at her message. Holy shit was right.
