Rylan looked good, if a bit worn.“No luck finding your elusive engineer?”Saif asked as they exchanged backslapping hugs.
“None,” Rylan grumbled.
They headed into the library.Saif poured two glasses of scotch and handed one over as Rylan dropped into a leather chair.
“I can’t believe it’s this hard to find someone decent,” Rylan muttered.
“Just hire someone else,” Saif shrugged, sipping his drink.
“I’ve tried.But every time I explain the issues with the project, they all tell me the same thing—hire Sam Bennet.Apparently, he’s the best.They say if there’s a flaw in the plans, he’ll spot it instantly.”
“There’s no one else in the world who can do that?”
Rylan dragged a hand through his hair.“You’d think.But I ignored my instincts four months ago when I started seeing cracks in the process.Bernie Lewis, our current engineer, swore he’d fix it.”
“And now?”
“Worse.One of the supports cracked.A few welders fell—one guy crushed his leg, another broke his arm.Two others walked away, thank goodness.But I shut the whole thing down until I get answers.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you’re rebuilding.The old bridge was practically falling apart.”
“Yeah, but the new one has to be solid.No point in making a dangerous situation worse.”
They sipped in companionable silence, drifting into easier topics—family squabbles, the latest antics from nieces and nephews.
Then Rylan snapped his fingers.“That reminds me—I sawhertoday.”
Saif’s hand froze mid-sip.“Could you be more specific?”
“The woman from last year.”
Saif’s chest tightened.“Jemma?”
“Right.She was on the street.Looked thinner.Tired.But yeah—still stunning.”
Saif’s throat went dry.It had been a week since he’d seen her.A week of text updates and cold professionalism.But no voice.No spark.
“She was with her new guy,” Rylan added.
Saif stilled.“New guy?”
“Younger.Good-looking.”
Saif exhaled slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.“That was probably her brother, Jasper.”
“Wait.Her brother?I thought he was a teenager?”
“He is.Sixteen.”
Rylan frowned.“Then…who’s the father of the baby?”
Saif blinked.“What baby?”
“She was pushing a stroller,” Rylan said, gesturing with his scotch.“I saw a baby’s foot.Definitely not a dog.”
Saif was on his feet before his cousin could say another word.
“Where are you going?”Rylan called after him.
