Page 68 of My Beautiful Sin

“Really?” She rolls her shoulders back. “I’ve never been anyone’s bad influence before.”

“Ha. Stick with me. I’ll teach you all the tricks.” I give her a quick hug as the elevator door opens on three, then watch her head into the Research Room before I continue in the elevator up to four. The doors slide open and I step out into the reception area to find Tracy sitting at Anna’s desk.

“Hey! I’m so glad to see you.” I hurry over and accept the hug she offers. “So?” I continue as we break apart. “A little bird tells me things are heating up at a certain condo building on PCH.”

“Stop it,” she says, but it’s clear she’s fighting a smile.

“I’m just teasing,” I assure her. “But I am glad that you and Lamar hit it off.”

“Me, too,” she says, then settles back behind the computer.

“Covering for Anna?” Tracy is actually Tamra’s intern in the PR department, but the DSF has a small enough staff that it makes sense that the intern would cover Devlin’s desk when Anna’s away. “Where is she?” I ask, feigning innocence.

Tracy shrugs. “She said she had to step out for a second. So here I am. He’s in with Tamra, but I can buzz and let him know you’re here.”

“I don’t want to interrupt. He’s not expecting me. I’ll hang with you for a while, and if he’s not free soon I’ll shoot him a text.”

“Sounds good to me. And, hey, I’ve been meaning to ask. I’m going to drag Lamar to some of the Fall Festival events. I love perusing jewelry at craft fairs.” She reaches up to flick a dangly copper earring. “I got these at a street fair in Santa Barbara right after high school.”

“I forgot that that was even this month,” I admit. The multi-day festival features music, food, arts and crafts. Pacific Avenue shuts down for car traffic, and booths line the street. It’s fun and always draws a crowd.

“Do you and Devlin want to go? Brandy and Christopher, too, if they want.”

“I can’t speak for Devlin, but I’d love to.”

“Fabulous,” she says, with a little clap of her hands. “We can firm up plans later and—”

She’s interrupted when the doors glide open on silent hinges and Tamra steps out, impeccably dressed as always in a linen pant suit and this season’s Louis Vuitton flats. Her head is down, her eyes on the notepad she’s reviewing. Then she looks up and smiles. “How are you doing, sweetheart? Devlin told me a bit about the texts, but he said you’re bearing up.”

“Texts?” Tracy asks.

I scowl. “Just some idiot harassing me. I’m surprised Lamar didn’t tell you.”

Tracy laughs. “No, you’re not.”

I shake my head. “No, you’re right. I’m not.” Lamar would never share my secrets without permission. “But tell him I said it’s fine to share. I don’t care if you know, but I don’t want to be the one to talk about it.”

“Where’s Anna?” Tamra asks.

“She had to step away,” Tracy says.

Tamra’s mouth curves into a quick frown, gone almost as quickly as it arrived.

“Is he free?” I ask, nodding at the doors that had closed behind her.

“On the phone,” Tracy says, and I glance down to see the lit-up line go dark. “But now he’s free,” she adds. She punches the intercom. “Ellie is here, Mr. Saint. Shall I send—”

She doesn’t have the chance to finish the question, as the doors start to glide open again, apparently under Devlin’s command.

I grin at Tamra and Tracy before I step through the widening gap, then listen to the subtle change in pitch as the doors change direction and begin to close.

Devlin’s standing behind his desk, and I feel my muscles relax at the sight of him. I hadn’t realized how tense I’d been, as if deep down I’d feared that he wasn’t really in here and I’d never see him again.

He’s glancing at something on his desk, but when he looks up at me, his entire demeanor shifts, his smile lighting the room and going straight to my heart.

“You are a sight for very sore eyes,” he says as I hurry to his side.

“Bad day? What’s going on?”