Page 11 of Hustle

I have to shake off the memories washing over me earlier. No fucking way I’m walking into a meeting with him hamstrung by nostalgia.

The idea of seeing him though? There’s a little thrill of anticipation that’s really annoying.

The subway station smells pretty ripe today, and it’s not even summer yet. The inbound redline train rattles and squeals all the way to my stop. Seamus offered to meet me at my shop, but having him in my space throws me off balance.

No thanks. If we’re doing this, I’m doing it on my terms. Just like I do everything else.

As I walk to the office, I glare at a man who comments on my ass and tell him to fuck off.

The building is some faceless, soulless metal and glass box, and Seamus is of course in the penthouse.

A stunning blonde woman is behind the desk. She has an ultra-manicured, icy freshness that I’ve never been able to manage, and even though she’s as far from my style as you can get, I’m agitated. Then pissed off at myself for getting agitated.

“I’m here to see Seamus,” I snap.

And then I force a smile, because my irritation isn’t at her.

She’s attractive and I wonder if Seamus thinks so too. Maybe that’s why he hired her, so he could look at her every morning. I shove that thought down hard.

Keep it professional.

She beams up at me. “Mr. Doyle will be right with you, Ms. McCallum. Would you like some coffee?”

“Call me Evi. And no, thank you.”

She nods exuberantly, blonde curls shaking around her rosy cheeks.

She looks too sweet for her own good. Hopefully, she carries mace. Was I ever that innocent?

Seamus doesn’t make me wait. He’s too scheduled to sacrifice billable hours for spite. He strides out of his fancy office seconds after I sit down.

The chairs in his waiting room are leather, padded, and spare no expense.

“Evelyn…Evi,” he corrects himself.

He’s wearing another fancy suit, but his tie is a little askew. I walk up to him and straighten it.

The asymmetry bothers me, I tell myself. But just the sensation of my fingers trailing over his chest sends sparks running along my skin.

Blue eyes widen, nostrils flare.

He looks frazzled, for just a second, and that’s enough. It’s so satisfying to see him off balance.

“Nice digs,” I smile up at him.

He gives me a lopsided grin, and ushers me into his office.

“Are you hungry? Do you need anything?” He pulls out a chair for me. He’s always the damn gentleman, even when he’s breaking your heart. He hands me a bottle of water before I can speak.

“I’ve been doing a lot of research,” he begins, not even waiting for me to sit down. “Eminent domain’s primary purpose is for public use. Taking over a property when there’s no other option, like when you’re building a highway. We all know the Stacys really want that block to put up a bunch of condos that will make them richer, but they’ll chalk it up to urban development.”

He slides a stack of papers in front of me.

“Here are some cases where people have fought it and won. My favorite is Rusty’s…”

“The gay club in Central?” I’m surprised he knows it.

“Yes,” he says, nodding. “Biotech is building up that whole area, and they wanted to gobble up Rusty’s too, but they went ahead and made themselves a historical landmark.”

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