by Rye Hart
“They received the contract,” she said with a shrug. “Or, at least, someone in their office did.”
“No word yet?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. I’m sure their lawyers are just going over everything, and they’ll—”
“Thanks.”
I didn’t wait for her to finish. I stepped back into my office and pulled the door closed with a snap. Falling into my chair, I knew I had to get this deal in the bag.
The Harringtons were the best in the business. If they backed out, others would follow. I had two other deals in the works. One with an oil rig up in Alaska and another here in Texas. Both deals would be profitable, but neither came close to what the Harringtons would bring in.
If they were good businessmen, like I thought, then they knew I was their best option.
No one outperformed my firm. No one outperformed me.
Now, it was just a matter of time.
CHAPTER 3
JULIE
I hadn’t been in town long before I realized how much I needed a job. I longed to spend my days writing my book, but I knew that wasn’t realistic. My savings would only get me so far and, right now, I had to focus on being practical. At least for a while.
Early on Wednesday morning, I walked to the little coffee shop I’d raved about to Andrea. It was tiny. There were only a handful of chairs scattered throughout the place, and the counter was barely longer than my bathroom vanity. Still, I loved it. After the first time I stepped foot inside the café, I knew I’d chosen the right place to move.
“Good morning,” I said as I stepped up to the counter. “Could I get a triple espresso with a splash of milk? Thanks.”
“You got it.” The barista smiled and immediately went to work making my drink.
Within a minute, I was holding a white ceramic mug and making my way toward the window. I sat down at a table for two and gazed outside. My laptop was in my bag, but I wanted to wake up a little before I immersed myself in research.
I sipped my coffee and watched the early risers walk past the coffee shop. A few people stopped inside to pick up something to go, but most walked right past. Even fewer glanced at me as they passed my window. Of those who did, every single person smiled. From what I could tell, Ennis seemed to be a busy place full of kind people. Exactly the sort of town I wanted to be in.
“Can I get you a refill?” the barista asked from behind the counter. I was the only person in the café now.
“No,” I said with a smile. “Thank you, though.”
“What are you up to over there?” she asked.
“Well,” I said, bending down to pull my laptop from my bag, “hopefully, by the end of today, I’ll have a new job.”
“Are you new in town?” she asked. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.”
I nodded. “Just moved here.”
“What kind of job are you looking for?” she asked. “We’re always hiring here.”
“Thanks.” I smiled again. “But I’m a journalist. I’m hoping to find an online job. Something that will provide a steady income, but still leaves me free to enjoy my time, you know?”
“Sounds like a dream,” she said, laughing softly.
“Sometimes, it is,” I said.
The barista returned to her work cleaning the espresso machine. The silence of the café pressed down around me, so I pulled my headphones from my bag and stuck them on my laptop. Soon, music filled my ears, and I sank into myself.
I spent what felt like hours researching online jobs. There were a million things out there, but I wanted to find the perfect position. Andrea was right. My book was too important to me. I’d let two years pass without any serious work on it. I couldn’t keep pushing it to the side, no matter what other things I had going on in my life.
When I checked the clock on my computer, I realized I’d only been at the café for an hour. It felt much longer and, yet, I still hadn’t found a job I wanted to apply for.
I took my headphones out of my ears and let the silent buzz overwhelm me again. Looking around, I saw that I was no longer alone in the café. A man was standing in front of the counter. I couldn’t see his face, just his dark hair, and strong build. He immediately caught my attention, but I looked away quickly.
Today wasn’t about men. I didn’t come to Ennis to find a new boyfriend. I came for a fresh start and for a little freedom.
“Thanks, Sarah.” The man’s deep voice rang out behind me, but I refused to turn around.
I stared at my computer screen, barely seeing it. My mind had already begun to wander, and when the man stepped up in front of my table, I felt my entire body react to his presence.
My shoulders tensed, and my forehead furrowed. I lifted my eyes to his face, prepared to politely tell him to go away. I was busy searching for jobs, and I didn’t need to be distracted.
“Hey there,” he said.
My breath caught in my throat when a handsome, well-built guy with dark brown hair stood before me with an air of confidence about him.
His muscles were outlined by the fitted shirt he wore, and I couldn’t help but notice the bulge in the front of his pants. It seemed like his arms weren’t the only thing he was working out. I wanted to snort at my joke but stopped myself.
His eyes were an ocean blue color. He was tall, and would easily tower over most people I knew. There was something both familiar and irresistible about him. I couldn’t pinpoint it besides that my stomach fluttered our eyes met.
There were small lines at the corner of each eye. He was older than me, but not by much. Just like that, my polite rejection faded away.
“Hi,” I said instead.
“Listen,” he said. “I know this is a little weird, but I saw you sitting here, and I just thought… Well, I thought maybe you’d like some company.”
“Sure,” I said without thinking. “That would be great.”
I gestured toward the empty chair across from me. The blue-eyed man lowered himself into it and smiled at me again. His eyes were enough to keep my attention, but that smile didn’t help matters. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His jaw was angular and strong, and his blue eyes held mine like some sort of tractor beam.
“I’m Julie,” I said.
Very smooth.
I stuck out my hand for him to shake. “Julie Black.”
“Michael Smart,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you, Julie.”
I smiled. “You too.”
“So,” Michael said. “I haven’t seen you in here before, which must mean you’re new in town. Or maybe just visiting?”
“Just moved here,” I said. “Do you use that line on all the girls?”
“What’s that?” Michael asked, frowning slightly.
“You must be new in town,” I mimicked.
“Was I wrong?” he teased.
“Not at all,” I said, and I could tell he was every bit the playboy he seemed to be. “Well, I’m here every day,” Michael said. “Just ask Sarah. She’ll vouch for me.”
“I don’t doubt it.” I laughed softly.
Michael was easy to talk to. Much easier than I would have anticipated. When he sat down, I immediately felt my nerves kick into overdrive, but once we started talking, the banter flowed easily.
“What are you up to?” Michael asked, nodding toward the computer.
I sighed. “Looking for a job.”
“No luck?” Michael asked.
I shrugged. “Not yet. I’ll find something. It’s just a matter of finding the right something.”
Michael looked at the computer closer and squinted. When he looked back up at me, I felt my stomach tighten.
“Journalism?” he asked simply.
I nodded. “I’m hoping to find an online position,” I said. “Maybe a weekly column or something.”
“You know,” he said. “Dallas isn’t that far. You could always commute up there. Find a job at a reputable paper.”
“I did t
hat,” I said with a smile. “I actually just left Dallas.”
“Oh yeah?” Michael asked. His interest was flattering, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to get into the details of my life with a complete stranger. After all, we’d only known each other for ten minutes.
“I needed a change.” I shrugged. “This place seemed perfect. The only problem with Ennis is its lack of publications.”
“Yeah,” Michael said. “You won’t find a need for reporters around here. It’s a pretty quiet town.”
I nodded. “So, I’ve realized.”
Michael and I spent the rest of the morning talking. I asked what he did for a living, something about oil rigs or tools, and he asked more questions about my job search, what kind of column I wanted to write, where I went to school, my journalistic background.
With each minute that passed, it became easier and easier to talk to him. Michael didn’t feel like a stranger. There was something oddly familiar about him, something that put me at ease and made me feel like Ennis was really meant to be my new home. When he finally stood up to leave, a sense of disappointment settled in my chest, but I pushed it away and fixed him with my best smile.
“It was really nice to meet you,” I said.
“This doesn’t have to be goodbye,” Michael said. “I’m fairly confident I’ll see you around again, but just in case…”
He pulled a pen out of his pocket and grabbed a napkin off the table. Handing both to me, he raised his eyebrows suggestively.
I laughed and took the pen from him. Scribbling my number on the napkin, I felt his eyes on the back of my neck. Just his attention was enough to make my cheeks blush.
“Thank you,” he said as I handed him the napkin with my number written on it.
“I’ll see you around,” I said.
“You definitely will.”
Michael grinned at me one last time before waving goodbye to Sarah and stepping outside. I watched him until he disappeared around the corner, my cheeks still slightly warm.
CHAPTER 4
MICHAEL
Julie’s face floated through my mind for the rest of the day. I was extremely late to work that morning, but I didn’t care. By the time I ambled into the office, Marcy had ten messages for me and was on her way out to lunch. My mind was barely focused on work, even as I threw myself into returning phone calls and emails.
All I could think about were those pale blue eyes and her light brown hair that fell just to her shoulders. Whenever she shifted her head, it caught the sunlight just right and made my stomach tighten. She was tall, but not too tall. Her curves were just enough to draw my eyes. She was gorgeous in a way I’d never expected. I could have stayed in that café all day if it meant I could talk to her.
As I sat back in my chair, I tried not to think about her. I tried to listen to the client who was talking a mile a minute in my ear. I tried to focus on the emails pouring in. I tried to ignore the nagging voice in the back of my head, telling me to drop everything and call Julie. Nothing worked. No matter how much I tried to stay focused on work, I just couldn’t get her smile out of my mind.
Julie looked to be in her mid-twenties, although I didn’t know her exact age. When she spoke about her job as a journalist, she slipped into an easy professionalism that most people her age didn’t have. I was impressed by her the second she opened her mouth. She was intelligent and witty. Talking to her was effortless. I couldn’t remember the last time I could joke with someone the way I joked with her.
“Mr. Smart?” Marcy asked, poking her head into my office. “I have Timothy Harrington on the phone.”
If there was anything that would drive Julie out of my head, it was the name, Harrington. “Put him through.”
Marcy nodded and hurried back to her desk. I heard the familiar click of her phone, and then, my own rang sharply. I picked it up quickly and pressed the receiver to my ear.
“Mr. Harrington,” I said. “What can I do for you today?”
“My lawyers went over the contracts,” Timothy said, not bothering with pleasantries. “Everything seems to be in order.”
“That’s wonderful,” I said. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Jonathan and I will sign them tomorrow,” Timothy said. “Your office should have them by the end of the day.”
“Thank you,” I said, trying to keep the eagerness out of my voice. “I look forward to working with you, Mr. Harrington.”
“And Michael?” Timothy said. “Don’t screw this up.”
With that, Timothy hung up, and I was left with a dial tone. I shook my head and exhaled sharply as I laid the phone back down. My entire body felt light as air. Not only did I spend the morning with an amazing woman, but I just landed the biggest account of my career.
I couldn’t wait another second. Without thinking, I pulled the napkin with Julie’s number out of my pocket and smoothed it out on my desk. I dialed her number and grinned as I sat back and listened to the phone ring.
“Hello?” Julie’s voice was just as sweet and seductive as it had been in person.
“Hey there, it’s Michael,” I said. “Any luck on the job front?”
Julie laughed. “Not yet,” she said. “But I won’t find anything if you keep distracting me.”
“Distracting you?” I asked. I raised my eyebrows and grinned, knowing she couldn’t see me.
“First this morning,” she said with a sigh. “And now, this phone call. How’s a girl ever supposed to get anything done?”
“I’ll make you a deal,” I said.
“Oh?” Julie asked playfully.
“I’ll stop distracting you,” I said. “If you agree to come to dinner with me tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night?” I could hear the hesitation in her voice, and my stomach dropped.
“Just dinner,” I said quickly. “I know a place.”
Julie paused for a second, and I held my breath. I’d been flying so high after my conversation with Timothy that I didn’t even consider the possibility that she might say no.
“Sure,” Julie said. “Sounds great.”
“Text me your address,” I said. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
***
Thursday dragged on miserably. I barely worked that day. Marcy kept asking if I was okay, but I was more than okay. Just the prospect of seeing Julie again was enough to keep my spirits high. I was concerned about how into her I already was, but I decided to run with it. What was the worst that could happen?
“I’m out of here,” I told Marcy as I pulled my office door closed behind me. “See you tomorrow.”
“Have fun tonight, Mr. Smart.” Marcy grinned slyly.
“Been eavesdropping, Marcy?” I asked.
“Never.” Marcy winked, making me laugh. I shook my head and hurried outside, climbing behind the wheel of my car and speeding toward home.
Once I was showered and dressed, I left to pick up Julie. She came to the door dressed in a simple blue dress that made her eyes even more striking. Her hair was curled slightly, drawing my eyes and making my heart race.
“You look gorgeous,” I said. “Not that you need to be told.”
“A woman always needs compliments,” Julie said wisely. “Even if she says otherwise.”
I laughed and held out my arm to her. She took it and let me lead her to the car. We climbed inside, and I drove us to Dallas. The restaurant I picked was a classy steakhouse that was reasonably casual. It left room to relax without the pressures of overly-fine dining.
“This is great,” Julie said as we sat down. “Steak sounds amazing.”
“Oh, thank god,” I said. “I was worried you’d be one of those salad and soup girls.”
“Salad and soup?” Julie raised her eyebrows.
“You know the kind,” I said. “They’re too afraid to eat on the first date, so they order something tiny and pick at it nervously. Drives me nuts.”
“You don’t have to worry about that with me.” Julie laughed. “Food is lif
e.”
“Amen to that.” I grinned just as the waiter appeared.
We ordered a bottle of red wine and a steak each. By the time the food arrived, we were so deep in conversation that I barely noticed my plate. If it weren’t for the way Julie’s eyes lit up when she saw her steak, I wouldn’t have eaten a bite.
“Oh god,” Julie moaned. “This is so good.”
“It really is.” I laughed and took another bite.
Just as Julie opened her mouth to speak, my phone rang in my pocket. I frowned and grabbed it quickly, ready to silence it. When I saw Josh’s name flashing across the screen, I looked up at Julie with an apologetic grimace.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “This is my brother. Do you mind if I…?”
“Not at all,” Julie said. “Go ahead.”
“Thanks,” I answered the phone quickly. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Hey, man,” Josh said. “Are we meeting up tonight or what? You never called me back.”
“Oh shit,” I said. “I’m sorry. I totally forgot. Work was crazy this week. Can we do something next weekend?”
“Sure thing,” Josh said. “Keep me posted.”
“Will do.”
We said goodbye, and I hung up, eager to get back to Julie. She smiled politely as I tucked my phone back into my pocket.
“Sorry about that,” I said. “My brother and I have been working on our relationship lately.”
“Yeah?” she asked.
“We try to meet up once a week,” I said. “But with our schedules, it doesn’t always work out that way.”
“At least you try,” Julie said kindly. “A lot of families don’t.”
I moved the conversation away from Josh, and soon, we were laughing and talking like we’d never been interrupted. The wine was flowing freely and, when we ordered dessert, I found Julie’s foot beneath the table. She didn’t move when we touched, but her eyes told me she felt it. She stared at me with an intensity I hadn’t seen from her yet. That look sent bolts of electricity shooting through my body. I could barely think the entire drive home.
“Walk me up?” Julie asked as I put my car in park outside of her house.