I shook my head. "No, something about why she's an environmentalist. How is she so connected to these groups? Where does she find them?"
"Hmm. Doesn't sound very interesting to me."
"But she's the only one on the board who is anti-development."
"Paige, if you find something new and interesting then let me know. In the meantime, I need the name of the contractor starting work on the resort. We are a business journal. A contract like that is going to impact this area."
My stomach rolled. I knew Mason had narrowed the search to two companies. He had met with both of them in San Antonio. He had purposely kept me from the information. My eyes narrowed. He kept me distracted from a lot of things.
She strolled into her office, closing the door behind her. I could see Alice from where I sat. There was a glass window separating the editor from the pods of cubicles in the center of the room.
I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder. I wasn't going to find out the names of the contractors by sitting here. I headed out of the office.
My steering wheel was hot. The seats were hot. Everything in Texas was hot. I waited for the air conditioning to switch from blasts of heated air to something resembling cool before I headed to City Hall. My hope was that whichever contractor had been awarded the bid had already submitted their information to my new friend in the development office.
I clicked the seatbelt when I heard my phone ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Eden Brady. How are you?"
"Eden? Oh, hey."
"Sorry I haven't been in touch since last week."
I tried to figure out where this was going. "It's fine." I still had her number folded on the napkin in my purse.
"I told you I'd let you know when we could get together. There's a bonfire tonight on the beach. I think you should come. You can meet some of our friends."
I thought back to the night at Pete's. The night that led to me sleeping with Mason. There was a knot in my stomach.
"Is Mason going to be there?" I had to ask.
"I haven't seen Mason today. I really want you to come. You can meet my friend Marin, and her girlfriends are in town. It's going to be fun. You said you needed to meet people on the island, not just tourists. There is nothing better than a Padre bonfire."
I chewed on the end of my sunglasses. The tips were chipped and jagged from the abuse I gave them. "I want to go, really, but I think it would be awkward if I ran into Mason."
She huffed. "I haven't invited him. Bonfires aren't really his scene. I'll text you the time, and I can meet you on the boardwalk at the Palm."
"All right. If you're sure he's not going to be there. I think it sounds fun."
"Awesome." I could hear the smile in Eden's voice. "See you tonight. You can tell me what happened between you and Mason."
"Thanks, Eden. It's not really a great story."
"He won't say anything."
I didn't know what that meant. I wanted to analyze it, but I didn't have time to try to decipher his mind games.
I finally felt cool air breeze over my face. I tucked the phone back in my bag. Maybe things were starting to turn around. My boss had noticed my work. I had my first social invitation since moving to South Padre, and I was about to shake down a source. I smiled, pulling out of the parking lot.
"Hey, Matt." The intern was bobbing in his chair.
He looked up from the computer. I thought I saw him quickly exit out of a game of solitaire.
"What's up, reporter girl?"
"Not much. Thought I'd stop by and see if you have anything new for me." I glanced over his desk. It was just as messy as last week.
He shrugged. "Nothing really. Hey, did you hear about the concert at Bongos? I'm going with a bunch of my buddies. You should check it out."
"Oh wow." I pulled the strap on my bag. "Maybe I'll do that. When is it?"
"Tonight."
I made my best disappointed face. "Aww, I have plans tonight. I'll have to check them out another time."
It didn't seem to faze him. "Yeah, do it for sure."
I slid one of the manila envelopes to the side. "Have you had any contractor applications come through for the Lachlan resort?"
Matt swiveled in his chair, lifting his feet off the ground. I was starting to think he was in middle school instead of college. "Got a stack of applications back here." He handed a pile to me. "I haven't opened them yet."
"Clearly." I smiled. I wondered how many days this stack of mail had been sitting unopened. "Maybe I can help you with it." I held the letter opener in my hand and began to slice through the tops of the envelopes.
There were applications for fences and new driveway pads. Homeowners building extensions to their houses or adding a garage. I flipped through each one, making a new pile for Matt. Somewhere near the bottom I found it.
"Hattman and Jones," I whispered.
"You're pretty awesome. You just saved me a ton of work." Matt threw the discarded envelopes in the trash.
I smiled. "Glad I could help." I read through the application. It was a standard general contractor assignment. I couldn't believe I was the first one to land the information. I scribbled the details on my reporter's pad and handed the form to Matt.
"Hope you have a great time at the concert tonight."
"Dude, you know it." He bobbed in his seat.
Any fear I had that he was going to pursue me had vanished. This was a kid without a care in the world, or one ounce of focus.
"Thanks for the help. See you soon." I waved as I dashed to my car. I had calls to make to the Hattman and Jones office, research to do on their hiring practices, and a story to finish before five. If Alice was happy with me earlier today, this was going to make her ecstatic.
I filed my story right before deadline. It was nice not to scramble. I had three stories in the books today.
As I was packing up to leave, Alice's door opened.
"Paige, stop by on your way out."
"Ok."
I turned off my computer and clipped my bag closed. I tapped on her door, and opened it slightly.
"Have a seat," she directed.
I took one of the two chairs facing her desk. Her office was cramped. She barely had enough room to make the turn from the door into her leather chair. There was a tall, skinny window on one side, the other the window to the reporters' world.
"You've had quite the day."
"Yes. A busy one."
"First there was the commissioner's press conference, followed by the trailer park feature, and now the scoop on the resort contractor. I'd say it's taken three months, but you've finally found your groove here." She smiled at me.
"I'd like to think so."
"My philosophy is when something is working you don't interfere with it. I want you on everything and anything to do with the resort development. I don't know how you got that Mason Lachlan interview, but get another one. Dig into Hattman and Jones. Track down more residents who will be displaced. Everything. All of it. It's your baby."
I looked at her, unsure of what to say.
"If you think there is something with the Rodriguez story, go after it. Follow your instincts. They seem to be right so far. I shouldn't have held you back earlier today."
"My instincts?"
I thought about what damage my instincts had done. They had betrayed me. I had fallen into the arms of a serial player. Lulled by his insanely piercing eyes and his deep voice. Seduced by his hands and his lips. My instincts told me I could trust him with my secret. I had thought if he held me it meant he was listening. He cared. What I knew is that my instincts were total crap. I couldn't trust Mason. His agenda was clear.
"Yes, those go-getter, follow-the-story instincts. Your writing is strong. I wouldn't have hired you otherwise, but since you've been here I've seen how you've struggled with what story to chase, what angle to write. You've got those instincts. The past week proves it. Turn out more pieces like you have, and I'll let you write whatever features you want."
"Are you serious?" My mouth had to be agape. I reminded myself I was in a meeting with my boss and tried to rearrange it into a smile.
"Have a good night, Paige." She dismissed me quickly. Alice wasn't the type of boss to sit around after work and chat. She had too much on her plate.
"You too." I wiggled out of the seat and maneuvered to the door. "Thank you, Alice."
"Just keep bringing it."
"I will." I closed the door behind me.
I walked to the car, my feet barely touching the asphalt. I wasn't going to think about the subject or how long I would have to follow the resort story. If I could give Alice what she wanted, then I could focus on something other than Mason's grand resort. I smiled. Suddenly, the sun didn't feel blistering, and the steering wheel was bearable. I turned the radio up to seven and let my hair blow in the wind as I steered home.