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“Ah, even the slightest hint can come back to bite you when uttered aloud with a career reporter in the room.”
“I guess I just don’t have your prowess when it comes to the press. You’ll have to teach me.”
“I can do that.”
Even this—a simple phone call from Matt—made her ridiculously happy these days.
A woman, young, sharply dressed and bearing a black briefcase, exited the Johnson offices. Not anyone Finley recognized. A client, maybe. One of his real estate agents, possibly.
“I should go. I’m at Ray Johnson’s office for an impromptu visit.”
“Give him hell, Fin. Make him tell you all his secrets.”
Her smile tugged wider. “Don’t worry. I plan to.”
“See you later.”
“For sure.” She ended the call and tucked her phone into her bag. It had been a while since she’d wanted to go home this early in the day. Most of the time, work consumed her, and she only went home when there was nothing more she could do. But these days she couldn’t wait to get home ... to Matt. It felt good to actually feel a full range of emotions again.
Derrick immediately flashed in her mind. Not since she lost him had she felt anything even remotely like this. Though she still missed him, she knew deep in her soul that he would want her to move on.
Finley emerged from her Subaru and slung her bag on her shoulder. The sky was a clear blue. No humidity. Crisp air. She drew in a deep breath. She’d forgotten how much she liked this time of year. Feeling another smile stretch across her face, she headed for the entrance of their new client’s place of business. Actually, he owned an array of properties, but this was the one where he conducted his affairs. At least the part that fell within the boundaries of the law.
A bell overhead jingled as she pushed through the door. The lobby was average in size, vintage black-and-white tile on the floor. Wood paneling on the walls. A couple of windows sporting blinds. Formed plastic chairs that looked less than comfortable. A wooden desk from last century sat next to the cased opening leading to the suite of offices beyond the lobby. At that desk sat a young woman, redhead, lots of makeup, and with way too much cleavage on display. A living, breathing cliché.
The woman’s gaze skimmed Finley from head to toe, taking in her navy trousers and jacket, conservative pale-blue blouse buttoned to just below her throat and accompanied by a dark-blue sweater vest. Navy was Finley’s other go-to color.
The redhead smiled. “Good morning. Welcome to the Johnson Development Group. How may I help you this morning?”
“Good morning.” Finley stepped closer to the desk. “I’m Finley O’Sullivan. I’m here to see Mr.Johnson.”
The woman—Sylvia, according to the nameplate on her desk—glanced at her desk calendar, the paper kind. “Is he expecting you?”
“No,” Finley confessed. “I was in the neighborhood and thought we could catch up.”
Sylvia blinked. “I’ll check with him to see if he has some time available for you.” She rose from her chair and walked into the corridor. Her turquoise dress fit like a glove and showed off a very nice, very taut figure.
Finley sighed. She really needed to start working out again.
Maybe one day.
Sylvia returned to the lobby. “Ray said you should come on into his office.” She indicated the corridor. “The door at the end of the hall.”
“Thank you.”
Finley started in that direction, and the door at the end of the corridor opened. Ray Johnson smiled broadly at her. “Why, good morning, Ms.O’Sullivan.”
“Good morning.”
Since he remained near the door, she was forced to sidle past him to get into his office. No doubt this was one of his “I’m in charge” tactics. Either that or he was a perv who wanted her body to brush his.
Finley suspected it might be both.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked as he strode across his office.
The room had probably once been two offices, but he’d made one large space out of the two. Beige carpet. More wood paneling and no windows. Apparently, he didn’t want to risk anyone peeking in at him or having an unnecessary access point. Only a man with something to hide was that paranoid.
“I wanted to go over a few things with you,” Finley said as she waited for him to round his desk.
