Page 8 of A Shared Mind

Oh, god...

Chapter Four

Justin

I sat in my office staring out the window, and the only thing on my mind was the way Clay’s ass looked in those Wranglers. Bless whoever the hell came up with those jeans because they were doing many of us a massive favor.

My phone buzzed on my desk, so I picked it up, seeing it was Sharmaine, Steve’s assistant. “Hello, Sharmaine.”

“Hi, Justin. I wanted to follow up on the meeting you had this morning with Mr. Fines. Everything go okay? Steve will want a status report when he returns.”

My brain snapped back to the present and away from Clay’s ass. “I was going to give him a r-report on the meeting with Mr. F-Fines.” How I was able to put together the thoughts and say the words aloud was a fucking miracle. The stuttering didn’t hesitate to make it embarrassing, even over the phone.

“Steve isn’t expected back until Monday, so if you can send an email summarizing what the two of you discussed, I’m sure Steve would appreciate the update before he returns to the office.”

Yeah, I was sure he would. “I’ll send one this afternoon. I’m taking Mr. Fines to dinner this evening at Backlot, the patio restaurant at the Stockyards Café.”

Sharmaine hummed, sounding like approval. “Oh, I love that place. Just a head’s up. Clay was a good friend—actually, he was more than a friend—of Steve’s late son, Hunter. This client is personal for Steve.”

“Thank you, Sharmaine. I’ll copy you on the email to keep you in the loop.” We ended the call.

Steve’s son, Hunter, had died five years ago in a car accident. Everyone at the firm knew the horribly sad story, and we all knew better than to bring that shit up around our boss.

Hunter had been driving home when a semi crossed into his lane and forced him into the guardrail. He died on impact, they said. It was a horrible tragedy.

Knowing that Clay Fines had been a friend of Hunter Korr’s put a whole new spin on things. Did I bring it up with Clay at dinner? Did I pretend I didn’t know anything about it?

She said they were more than friends, Kid. Ask Clay about their relationship if the chance comes up, or he might bring it up himself.

“Shut the fuck up,” I whispered as I stood from my desk to go search for Eve.

Man, did I have a bone to pick with her. When I opened the door to my office, she was standing there, poised to knock.

“Ah, Judas,” I greeted her. “What’s so damn important that you can’t come to a client dinner with me where you’ll get to eat for free at one of your favorite places?”

Eve giggled. “Dude, you don’t need me to chaperone you. The guy was ogling you like a grade-A prime steak. Take him to dinner, Justin. You just never know who you might click with, do you?”

“Clay Fines was in a relationship with Hunter Korr. Sharmaine told me.”

Eve took my hand, dragging me into her office and closing the door. “Sit.”

She pointed to the chair in front of her desk as she took the one next to me. “I won’t tell you how I know this.”

I knew Eve’s parents were friends with the Korr’s family. That was how she got the job and got me the interview. “Your mom told you. Go ahead.”

She grinned. “Clay and Hunter were actually engaged, Justin. From sources who know the story—”

“Your mom.”

“Clay and Hunter were planning a wedding after Hunter finished his veterinary residency. They’d just gotten engaged when Hunter was killed. I know Clay flipped on your switch but be very careful, hon. This one could be a little tricky.”

God, so not what I needed to hear.

“Thanks, Eve. I needed that extra pressure. What the hell are you doing that you can’t go to dinner with us?”

Eve smirked. “I’ve joined a Pilates class. It’s new. I’m back out there, Justin. I need to look tight to get interest.”

She was full of crap, but I wouldn’t bring up her breakup. I still had the feeling it had something to do with me, and I wouldn’t put her on the spot. She was my best friend, and the fact she wouldn’t tell me was a sign of how much she loved me.