Page 5 of A Newport Christmess

She lifted her sunglasses when she reached me and rested them atop her head. “That sounds thrilling.”

“Extremely.” I gestured toward the building, hoping to end this delightful parking lot chat as soon as possible. “You headed in?”

“I am.” Shawna’s high heels clicked on the pavement at a slow, deliberate pace.

I didn’t have time for this.

“So, do you have plans for the weekend?” Shawna asked, sending me a sideways glance.

“I have my sister’s wedding in a couple of weeks, so I’m hoping to get ahead on a few work things.”

She stepped in front of me, forcing me to stop mid-step or risk bowling her over. Her fingers brushed along my arm. “Why don’t you let me show you a good time? All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

Did all beautiful women think a touch and a slight pout would get them whatever they wanted? My thoughts involuntarily turned to Eliza. How I used to be putty in her hands whenever she’d look at me like Shawna was looking at me now. Unfortunately for Shawna, I’d learned my lesson. “In that case, you’ll have to excuse me for being dull. I have work to do.”

Hoping to avoid an awkward elevator ride, I entered the lobby and took the stairs to the fourth floor.

When I strolled into the office, Anne gave me a bright smile from the front desk. Her hair looked different. Shorter, maybe? Or darker?

“How’d the hearing go, Mr. Aker?”

“We got approved.”

“I’m not the least bit surprised. Oh, here.” She handed me a sticky note. “Roger Carrigan called and said he needed to talk to you as soon as you got back.”

I glanced down at the neon-green square with a number jotted on it. Why would Roger want to talk to me? I usually heard from the Carrigans’ real estate manager or Frank, the head general counsel attorney, but rarely ever from one of the Carrigans. “Thanks.”

I started toward my office but paused. “You did something with your hair,” I said, hoping I was right.

She ran her fingers through her short bob, the corners of her eyes wrinkling with her smile. “I did. Those gray hairs were stealing all my thunder. I might be a grandma, but I don’t want to look like I am.”

“It looks great,” I said with a wink.

Her cheeks rounded, a red color filling them, and she batted a hand toward me. “Oh, Mr. Aker. You’re too kind.”

When I stepped into my office, I dropped my laptop onto the desk and glanced around the small space. Those who strived for a corner office had obviously not seen this one. The view was a definite plus, considering it overlooked a well-manicured grass area with palm trees, but it was really the only benefit. The large desk took up most of the space, and because of the floor-to-ceiling windows along two of the walls, the bookshelf was crammed against the only free wall and prevented the door from fully opening. Thankfully, I wouldn’t be here much longer. Only a week or two past the New Year most likely, and with Nikki’s wedding and Christmas coming up, I would have a small break from the confining space.

I closed the door and dialed the number Anne had handed me.

“This is Roger.”

“Mr. Carrigan, it’s Landon Aker—general counsel.”

“Oh, yes. Thanks for getting back to me. How’d the hearing go this morning? Are we on track?”

“They approved the building permit.”

“Wonderful. That’s great news.” He cleared his throat. “I know you’re right in the middle of all the legal stuff with this new build, but we’re going to have Peter Jennings take it from here.”

I stilled. “Peter? Isn’t he in New York right now?”

“He was, but now he’s headed there to take over for you.”

I paused, my mind grasping at how to respond and whether I should have been worried about this unforeseen intervention. “Can I ask the reason I’m being taken off the project?”

“Don’t worry. It’s not anything you did. We need you in Boston for the Carrigan Enterprise annual board meeting. As our newest attorney on the general counsel, we feel it would be valuable for you to attend.”

The tension in my shoulders lessened. “Of course.”