Page 52 of Clear Blue Sky

Talk about irritating.

Maverick had taken a step back, almost blending in with the wall. He’d stand there, waiting until he either needed to intervene, or until the encounter was over.

“Sorry,” Nelson said. “I was busy in my office on calls all morning and I wanted to see my girlfriend before anyone else.” These next few words were not going to go over well, but he didn’t care. “Especially you.” That last comment should be enough to piss Roxy off.

Roxy glared. “I’ll ignore that last comment.” She lifted her chin and stretched out her arm. “I knowhe’snot going to introduce us, but I’m Roxy Baxter, Marcus’ sister. I work for Leslie, your mother’s publicist. I’m so happy for Phoebe and can’t wait to see the movie. I’m really looking forward to meeting her.”

A litany of questions filled Nelson’s brain. He made a mental note of every single one, but he’d start with the most obvious. “You haven’t met Phoebe yet? That’s strange if you’re working on her PR.”

“Not really,” Lake said. “My mother is particular and doesn’t trust anyone other than Leslie. She doesn’t care that Leslie has assistants, or who they are; she doesn’t want them around. Only Leslie. She’s been like that for years.”

Roxy pursed her lips. “I was brought here this weekend to work. Phoebe knows I’m here.”

“Roxy Baxter?” Brandi lifted her index finger to her lip. “I don’t remember seeing your name on the guest list.” She turned to Lake. “Did you?”

“No.” Lake shook his head. “Mom and Leslie gave us the updated one this morning, too.”

Roxy’s jaw twitched. She always did that when she was pissed. She waved her hand. “I’m sure it was an oversight. I’m here to help make sure everything runs smoothly.” She shrugged. “I hear you’re going to buy my brother’s book. That’s so exciting.”

“Did you actually make Marcus an offer today?” Nelson asked with a hint of humor in his voice.

“Not yet. We need him to make some changes before that can happen.” Brandi took Nelson’s hand and squeezed.

He rubbed his thumb over her soft skin.

“I’m surprised you didn’t tell me that you and my editor were an item when I mentioned to you that I was meeting with Brandi last weekend. You had to have seen us together,” Marcus said. “Why would you keep that from me? You knew how excited I was about the whole thing.”

“Brandi doesn’t discuss her clients’ work with me. Not until after it’s about to hit the shelves. And even then, she doesn’t go into details.” Nelson had to admit, the game was getting good. Even if he wasn’t getting information, he was enjoying making them uncomfortable. “If I had mentioned something, she might have felt like I was trying to sway her one way or the other.” He arched a brow. “Considering our history, I thought it was best she didn’t know. I wouldn’t want to be accused of asking her to reject you if she chose not to buy your book.”

Marcus widened his stance, as if he were ready for a fight. “Are you trying to change her mind now that it’s more real because Lake is involved?”

“Lake and Brandi have always worked side by side.” Nelson did his best to bite back a smile. “So don’t worry. I don’t want to be involved in whatever business you have with Grant Publishing. That’s between you, Lake, and Brandi. But I don’t like keeping secrets from my girl, so this morning I told her that we knew each other in the military.”

“Why this morning?” Marcus held up his hands. “I’m just trying to understand what changed. It seems strange that you’d keep it a secret one day, and when Roxy shows up the next day, you get territorial. Not to mention it was rude.”

Nelson understood that Marcus was doing two things.

Fishing for information.

And doing his damnedest not to show his hand.

Only he wasn’t doing a very good job with the latter.

“There is no love lost between me and Roxy.” Nelson held Marcus’ gaze. “However, my walking past your table has nothing to do with anything other than wanting to see Brandi. I’m sorry that you took it any other way.”

“What does it matter?” Maverick asked. “Brandi’s private life is separate from her professional one. So is Nelson’s and if he wants to take a moment—even at his own place of business—to spend some time with his lady, he can and we should all respect that. Something you have no clue about.”

“Wow. You still enjoy sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.” Marcus jerked his chin. “I’m starting to worry that any misunderstandings or disagreements that I—or my sister—have had with Nelson could end up playing a role in my book deal.”

“We’re professionals at Grant Publishing,” Brandi said. “That would never happen.”

“Does that mean you know that Nelson and I used to be a couple,” Roxy said with a stupid grin on her face. It was like she’d exposed some deep, dark secret. “Unfortunately, it didn’t end well.”

Brandi leaned closer. “Actually, he told me about it.” She squeezed his biceps.

“I’m sure he didn’t give you the entire picture.” Roxy shifted her gaze between Nelson and Brandi. “But I want you to know that what happened between us won’t affect my job when it comes to making sure this event goes off without a hitch.”

“Since I’m the one in charge, I know it won’t.” Brandi glanced at her watch. “Lake, you need to get going.”

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