Axe’s Fall(26)

“Sounds good. I’ll let you lead the way.”

The Broker Restaurant catered mainly to the business crowd for lunch. The décor was sleek and modern, muted shades of brown adorning the walls and seating while bronze abstract sculptures decorated the built-in shelves which lined the walls. Small spotlights focused on the local sculptures and other artistic creations, and each item was available for sale. Low lighting created an intimate ambiance.

When Baylee and Logan entered The Broker, the cool air wrapped around them.

“It’s nice in here,” Baylee said as she followed the hostess to their table. “I didn’t think it’d be this hot in Pinewood Springs since we’re so high up, but damn.” The bronze chair was heavy and Logan helped to push her closer to the table.

“I know what you mean. It’s miserable, but Stan told me it’s unusual for it to be like this.”

After giving their order to the waiter, they discussed possible changes for the strip mall. The waiter set down a melted turkey, avocado, and Swiss sandwich in front of Baylee, and Logan had the piping-hot Monte Cristo with a mountain of fries.

“Yum, the turkey sandwich is really good. Nice choice in restaurants.” Baylee savored the flavor as she sipped her iced tea.

“It’s nice having lunch with you. I’m liking getting to know you better. We’ve worked together for over two years, and I think this is the second time we’ve had lunch. We should do this more regularly when we get back to Denver.”

Baylee nodded, but the last thing she wanted to do was become friends with Logan. She didn’t trust him at all, and all this bonding he was foisting on her didn’t deter her assessment of him.

“The two architects at play,” a deep voice snarled.

Baylee cocked her head and locked eyes with Axe.

“Hi.” She dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin.

“How’re you doing?” Logan chimed in.

Turning his back to him, Axe ran his eyes over Baylee’s face, lingering on her mouth. “What the fuck? You have time to spend with this asshole, but not me?”

Baylee stopped breathing at the same moment Logan sputtered and choked. She met Axe’s hard eyes and silently pleaded with him to stop. No chance—he was on a roll.

“I’ve been calling you all morning. Why haven’t you picked up?”

“I didn’t receive any calls from you.” She took out her phone then froze, realizing she’d forgotten to turn it back on after their late-night texting. “My phone is off. Sorry, I forgot to turn it back on.”

“You turned it off after so you couldn’t get any of my texts, right? What the fuck kind of game are you playing here?”

Panic seized her. Logan was at the table, and she couldn’t let him know she was texting Axe in the middle of the night. He’d have a field day with that one.

Discreetly, she slipped her hand from her lap, reached out and touched Axe’s thigh. He shook under her fingers. In a low voice, she said, “Please, stop. We can discuss this later. Not now.” She mouthed, “Not with him,” tilting her head in Logan’s direction.

Axe jutted out his jaw then looked at Logan for the first time. “You’re done here. Get a take-out box and finish up at the office. I need to speak with Baylee alone.”

Logan’s eyes widened and his lips parted. “What? Are you joking?”

“Do I look like I’m fuckin’ joking?” Axe crossed his arms, his ripped biceps flexing. Logan caught Baylee’s gaze. “Baylee…?”

Clearing her throat, she said, “Axe, this is rude. Logan and I are having a business lunch. We’re going over design changes Banger wants. You and I can speak later.”

For the first time since he came up to their table, Axe looked at the notebooks and electronic devices spread over the tablecloth. Baylee saw his eyes soften when it seemed to dawn on him that she and Logan were not having a social lunch.

“That’s cool.” He pointed his finger at Logan. “I changed my mind. You can stay.”

The color came back to Logan’s face and Baylee released her breath, relieved that a near catastrophe had been averted.

“We’ll talk soon. See you,” she said cheerfully to Axe.

Axe pulled out a chair, sat down, then crossed his denim-clad leg over his knee.

“What’re you doing?” Baylee asked.

“Sitting. I wanna hear how you’re gonna handle the changes so I can report to Banger.”

“I was going to call him later today and go over everything.”

“Now you don’t have to.”

Logan straightened his tie. “I think it’s great that you’re joining us. Maybe you can give us some input?”