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At that moment, Talon enters, “Hey, everybody, sorry I'm late.”
Knox grunts, “Worst timing ever, Tal.”
Talon jokes, “Why, what I miss, dickhead?” he flicks his brother's ear before sitting beside me. Our usual greeting follows, “Hey, girl, howyoudoing?” He winks at me, causing me to giggle, but it earns us a glare from across the table.
“Do you two mind? How are you going to show up for a meeting late and disrupt it by flirting?” Reece snaps.
Jeron's voice commands attention, “Stop it now, you two!”
Knox, seizing the moment, says, “Reece is just mad Mom and Dad hired your girlfriend to be the staff writer for their little ‘Bachelor’ project and didn't tell him.”
Simultaneously, I declare, “I’m not his girl,” while Reece, surprised, asks, “You two are together?”
Talon clarifies, “Not that it is any of your business, but Genesis has been my best friend since 9th grade. Why would you care?”
The room falls into a tense silence as everyone turns to Reece for an answer. He retorts, “Can't really use you for one of the Bachelor articles if you're dating the writer, now can we?”
Rachael, ever the mediator, steps in. “With thatunnecessaryconflict out of the way, let's talk about the details of how we will make this happen.”
Throughout the meeting, I can't help but glance at Reece. He pointedly avoids eye contact with me, even when his mother discusses how I'll be interviewing various men she's pre-selected. I can't figure out why he seems so bothered by it. He should be pleased; after all, Forrester Media stands to profit from this project.
My discomfort grows as I sense his displeasure. It's not just because I find him attractive—even after all these years—but because he's my boss. I need to make a good impression, and here I am, thrust into an awkward situation.
Talon nudges me under the table, drawing me out of my thoughts. He gives me a look that says 'pay attention,' a reminder of my tendency to get lost in my own head.
Rachael's voice brings my focus back to the matter at hand. “Genesis,” she prompts.
“Yes, I’m listening,” I respond quickly, not wanting to admit that my mind had wandered to her son.
“As I was saying,” Rachael continues, “each month you'll follow these men around in their habitats to get to know them and the women they may be interested in. Engage social media and our readers to help find these men their next relationship. You'll have the opportunity to meet them ahead of time at the Forrester's New Year's Eve party. But before then, Genesis, you will shadow and interview Knox. Son, I suppose you will have your assistant get in touch with Genesis on your availability to meet with her before the holidays, preferably?”
Reece pipes up, “It will have to be well before the holidays so that she can knock the story out.”
Talon, quick to defend me, says, “How about you let her speak for herself?”
Acknowledging Talon's support with a hand on his arm—a gesture Reece notices—I turn to Knox. “Do you mind if I reach out to your assistant in the next few days about your soonest availability?”
Knox, seemingly unaccustomed to direct queries, raises an eyebrow but finally answers, “That would be fine. I look forward to it, Genesis.” His brief glance at Robyn doesn’t escape my notice; there’s definitely something there, and I damn sure plan to get to the bottom of it in this interview.
Rachael seems pleased with the progress. “Oh, splendid. If nobody else has any questions and everybody understands their assignment, then I would say we adjourn the meeting.” She sends a pointed look at her middle son, daring him to say anything. He does not.
As we prepare to leave, Talon asks, “Hey, are you free for lunch?” I glance at Robyn, who seems preoccupied with Knox. Reece, pretending not to listen, is clearly eavesdropping.
“I don't know if that's a good idea, Tal. Maybe some time later this week? I really want to focus on this assignment,” I reply, aware of Reece’s attention.
Talon understands and smiles. “Okay, we can catch up later. Have a good first day. I'll text you,” he says, flicking off his brothers and kissing his mother’s cheek before exiting.
I gather my belongings and turn to Mrs. Forrester, “Thank you for the opportunity, Rachael. I appreciate it.”
“Goodbye, everyone. Have a good day,” Robyn adds, her tone lacking enthusiasm.
As Robyn and I head for the door, Reece follows but is stopped by his mother. “Reece, a word please,” she says crisply. “Ladies, please pull that door shut behind you.”
Closing the door behind us, I can't help but wonder what that conversation will entail.
ChapterFive
Reece
