Lucy’s face grew more sober. “I do want to reiterate that there are many in the community—in both communities, really—who are not in favor of this project. You may get some dirty looks in town when people find out you’re the one doing this research.”
“I can handle it.” Little did Lucy know Amanda was already going to get dirty looks in town for something she couldn’t control at all, living with two men. Who cared if some jackasses applied pressure to her to force her hand? She wasn’t backing down.
“I admire your spunk.” Lucy stood and shook Amanda’s hand. “I’ll have human resources contact you tomorrow so you can come by and fill out all the paperwork.”
Amanda stood also. “Sounds good. I’ll be looking forward to it.” She turned, her heart lighter, and left the office, shutting the door behind her.
Without contacting Sawyer, she headed toward the stairway. He wouldn’t miss her yet. She’d been in the office only a few minutes. He could wait a few more. She intentionally blocked him, thinking to surprise him with her quick exit.
As soon as she stepped into the stairwell, someone caught her eye and she hesitated on the platform. The same kid from the first day she interviewed leaned against the wall two steps down from her. He jerked his head up when she entered.
She thought about turning around and running back inside the second floor waiting area, but he stopped her with an open palm. “Hey. I don’t mean you any harm. I just want to warn you.”
“Warn me about what?” she asked when she should have been running.
“Some people…they don’t want you taking this job.”
She nodded. “I’m not going to back down because of some bullies. They’re going to have to get over themselves.”
He swallowed. “I hear you. I… I just wanted to warn you. I don’t like what they’re saying about you.”
“They? Who are they? And how do you know?”
He shrugged and stuck his hands in his jeans pockets, making himself significantly more harmless.
She instinctively knew he was telling the truth. He didn’t personally mean her any harm.
“Just some religious fanatics who don’t want to see these two communities blended.” He stiffened and jerked upright, standing taller. “Look, if they found out I warned you…”
“I won’t tell anyone. But you should think harder about who you associate with.”
He rolled his eyes. “You mean like my parents and their friends? Yeah, I should. And as soon as I can, I’ll get out of town, but for now, I’m their fucking messenger, and I don’t like it.”
“So, you were spying on me the other day. And today.”
He frowned. “Yeah, I guess so. I’m in one of Professor Burnhart’s classes. She’s really excited about this research project.” He grinned sheepishly and then swallowed and pasted on an intentionally more serious face. He couldn’t be out of his teens. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. You seem like a perfectly nice lady.”
She inhaled long and slow. “I appreciate it. Tell your parents and their ignorant lackeys you did your job and warned me off.”
He nodded. “Will you still take the job?”
“Yes.”
He almost smiled. “I thought so. I hope you have people who can watch your back.”
“I do.”
“Okay. Well, later then…” He raced past her, whipped open the door to the second floor, and disappeared inside.
Amanda closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. Logan and Sawyer were going to freak out when she told them about this. In fact, she cringed imagining them not allowing her to leave their sight for an instant. If they told her she couldn’t take this job, she would freak.
She wouldn’t tell them. What difference would it make? She got the message from the kid. She didn’t really have any more information than before. She couldn’t prove his parents or their friends had actually sent the notes to Logan’s condo. In reality nothing had changed, so she didn’t want her life to change either.
Slowly, she began to descend the steps. She made it about three paces before she stopped dead. Shit…
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sawyer jerked his gaze toward the rear entrance to McField Hall for the tenth time as the door opened and someone stepped out.
Finally.
He stopped pacing next to his truck and inhaled slowly. She was fine. She looked more than fine…right? She had a smile on her face… However, her gait was stiff and awkward.
“Amanda?” he asked the second she got within reasonable range.
“I got the job.” She beamed. “I’m so excited. I start Monday.”