“Part of my job,” Hayden said lightly.
“I’m not so sure.”
Hayden heard him but didn’t respond.
“And thanks for the Danish,” Armi called out. “Cherry’s my favorite.”
Hayden smiled to himself. “I figured,” he whispered, having noticed during his visit the box holding a cherry pie on Armi’s kitchen counter.
An hour or so passed, during which time he checked on the order for the new stationery and contacted the webmaster toupdate the website and whatever electronic footprints the team had that still carried Randolph Winters’s name. The phone rang.
“Armand Winters’s office. How may I help you?”
“This is Martin Price fromCity News. I’m the sports-desk reporter. I’d like to speak with Mr. Winters.”
“Hold one moment, please, Mr. Price. I’ll check his availability.” He’d never put a cold call through without discussion first. He hit the Intercom button. “Mr. Winters? You have a call from theCity Newssports reporter. Do you want to take it?”
“What? I-I can’t answer questions off the cuff. What if I don’t know the answer? Could you…would you please ask him what he wants, and, uh, maybe he wants to meet in person?” The quaver in his voice made him sound so young and vulnerable.
“I’ll deal with him. Don’t worry.” He clicked on the line where Price waited. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Winters is tied up in meetings all day. If you send me your questions, I’ll make sure to give them to him and get the answers to you ASAP.”
“I usually don’t talk through a third party. Randolph was happy to meet me for lunch so we could speak freely about the team and where he sees it going for the coming season.” He paused. “Is there a problem with me meeting his son?”
“Not at all. I’m sure Mr. Winters would be happy to entertain you as well. How does tomorrow, one o’clock at the Grill sound?”
“Like I’m already anticipating the meal,” Price chuckled.
“And you’ll forward me the list of questions you’d like Mr. Winters to answer, so he can be prepared?”
“Now where’s the fun in that? I’ll see him at one.”
Before Hayden could answer, Price ended the call. A bit of a wiseass, but nothing he couldn’t handle. He spotted Lucyapproaching, and though they hadn’t met face-to-face yet, after their phone confrontation, he tensed, anticipating drama.
“Hi, Hayden,” she chirped. “I wanted to introduce myself. We’ve only seen each other across the table so far. I’m Lucy. Thank you for the muffin. It was delicious. Sorry we got off on the wrong foot over the phone.”
Dressed in black and rail-thin, Lucy projected the nervous energy of a terrier, but her smile appeared friendly enough. “Hi. I’m glad you liked it. Nothing like a little sugar and carbs to start the day.” He laughed and she joined him. “That’s a gorgeous dress. Prada?”
“Yes.” She smoothed a hand down her waist and preened. “Thanks. Gotta look good. Russell sets a high standard, and I don’t want to fail him.”
“I doubt you could. He seems like a great guy.”
Her eyes lit up. “He is. The best boss.” Her gaze shifted to Armi’s closed door. “How is it working for Armand? He’s so sweet.”
Damn right he was. And he knew how sweet Armi’s kisses were.
“Mr. Winters is a very kind person. I think I’m going to like it here. Everyone’s been friendly.” Whitmore passed by with a scowl, and they both nodded at him, but he didn’t respond. “Almosteveryone.” He allowed himself a tiny grin, which Lucy jumped on.
“He’s such a jerk,” she whispered. “Would you like to have lunch? I usually order a salad from the place across the street and eat in the break room. It’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“Considering at my old job I ate at my desk, it sounds good to me.” Cozying up to Lucy could only help him. Hayden didn’ttrust anyone, but he’d listen to what she had to say. “I take my lunch at one. I’ll meet you there.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Great. See you then.” She wiggled her fingers and walked off.
“Glad you’re making friends here.”
He spun around to see Armi at the door to his office. “I’m sorry, did you need something? I didn’t know you were standing there.”
“I was wondering if you wanted to go over the info you sent me on prospects and why you marked them.”
