Page 17 of Montana Born

“Hey, you busy?” Gary walked in and plopped down on a chair. Obviously, her reply didn’t matter. “How did it go?”

She frowned up at him. “How did what go?”

“I ran into your aunt Friday down at town center square. She said you were going out with Sullivan Cole. I assumed it was to discuss the land deal.”

It took a lot of willpower not to snap at Gary. He’d been her friend since freshman year at college and, although annoying at times, was smart and funny. “It didn’t go well. I don’t know why I even went.”

“You two seemed...”

“Come look at this,” Elle purposely interrupted motioning to the drawing on her computer monitor. “Something is missing. What is it?”

Gary moved to stand beside her. He drew an imaginary line with his finger. “The bar should be over here so it won’t obstruct any views of the ocean.”

“Oh my goodness. You’re right.” Elle smiled broadly at him. “Sometimes you can be useful.”

“Jeez thanks a lot,” Gary chuckled and then with raised eyebrows looked toward the door. “Good morning.”

She knew who stood at the entrance to her office without looking. Somehow Sully's presence seemed to fill the room and immediately she fought not to look at him.

“Miss Tyler, may I speak to you in private?”

Before she could reply and make Gary stay, the idiot scrambled to leave the room. “See ya around,” he said to Sully and hit his shoulder, as if they were good buddies.

Elle stood but remained behind her desk needing the barrier between them. She glanced down at her monitor again wanting a reminder she was at work and it wouldn’t be professional to throw a potted plant at his head.

“I thought I made it abundantly clear any business between us is over.” She finally met his gaze directly and almost flinched at his pinched brow and obvious consternation. “There is nothing further to discuss.”

“I came to apologize. My behavior and what I intimated to you Saturday night is unforgiveable. I am sorry for what I said and for disrespecting you. Please accept my sincerest apology.”

She wasn’t sure what to say. The embarrassment and hurt camped out in her chest with popcorn and an extra-large Coke. With what she hoped was a careless one shoulder shrug, she directed her gaze to the door. “Understood, and I agree you acted like a chauvinist pig. I will strive to forget the entire night. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a lot of work to catch up on.” She looked down to her messy desk.

When she looked back up, Sully was gone and she let out a long breath. Why didn’t she feel better?

Not even a minute later Gary was back. “What was that about?”

The man was nosy as all get out. “He’s not selling the land. I prefer if we keep from doing any business with Cole in the future.”

Her phone dinged. “Dang it, I wish texting didn’t exist. I have like twenty I haven’t read.”

“I know. You never replied Friday night.” Gary lingered but when she didn’t return to the subject of her visitor, he finally gave up and left.

“Let’s see what the family is up to now.” She sat and began scrolling through her messages, replying when needed.

At seeing Gary’s message from Friday night, Elle stared at the display, her eyes rounded and mouth open. “Oh my goodness.” She jumped to her feet and stormed into her partner’s office.

Gary’s eyes rounded. “What’s wrong?”

She jammed her display to within inches of his face. “What did you mean by this?”

“Noth...nothing, it was a joke. I mean, I figured you were out on a date. Now that I read it again, I guess it comes across pretty crass.”

“You think?”

“Crud, you think he saw it?” Gary, the idiot, gave her a silly grin. “Hope not.”

“Ugh!” Elle turned on her heel and stormed. “Men are so stupid.”

Their admin assistant, gave her a knowing nod. “They are.”