Next tohim.
Logically, I knew she wasn’t choosing him, but it still burned.
“Don’t worry about it.” Grayson noticed where I was looking and pulled my attention back. “Remember, that’s?—”
“I know,” I said gruffly and focused on the front of the room, where Tilley was getting ready to call the meeting to order.
I only half paid attention as they moved quickly throughthe first few items on the agenda, and then it was the big moment. The reason I was there at all.
“Our next agenda item is one that I’m proud to have been personally involved in myself,” Tilley said proudly from the stage. “We spent endless hours assessing the situation and putting boots on the ground to experience firsthand exactly what the pros and cons would be,” she continued with her signature dramatic flair. “I can assure you that no stone was left unturned and every perspective was examined. Even at the risk of losing life or limb.” She paused for effect. “And let me assure you, there were a few close calls out there in the wilds.”
My lips twitched up at the reminder of Jess falling in the stream and how I’d had to carry her out of the trails that day. The way her body felt pressed up against my chest. Not nearly as good as it had felt a few days later, naked and?—
“I’d like to call on Chase Carlson to give us the final decision of the committee and to present our official recommendation.”
Tilley pulled me from my thoughts. As a group, we’d agreed that Chase was the best choice to present to the council.
On the other side of the room, he stood, a stack of papers in his hand, and cleared his throat. “Thank you, Tilley.” He nodded and turned slowly to address not only the council that sat on the stage, but the room as a whole. “As Tilley mentioned, the committee took our job very seriously, and we spent a lot of time on this matter. There were a few heated discussions.”
From two seats over, Reid cleared his throat loudly, but I ignored him.
“And a lot of respectful debate.”
Again, a muttering from my brother made me shoot him a dirty look. He chuckled as Avery smacked him on the arm.
“But ultimately, we came to what we all agree is the best decision,” Chase continued. “The committee would like to formally recommend that?—”
“No!” Jess jumped up so quickly that she knocked into the person sitting in front of her. She mumbled a quick apology before turning to Chase. “Sorry,” she told him. “But I no longer agree with the decision we reached.”
There were murmurs from the crowd, and next to her, Trevor reached for her arm in an effort to pull her down into her seat. I growled and clenched my teeth. I would rip his arm from his body if he touched her again.
Jess pulled out of his grip and ignored him as she kept talking. “Chase and Tilley are right. We did our best as a committee, and even though there were a few of us with very different opinions, we came to the best decision we could as a group with the information we had available to us. We were prepared to make a recommendation based on a few changes to the original plan. It would have been the best option for the town as a whole, but now—” She glanced down at Trevor, who still looked like he would grab her at any moment to silence her, and I knew at once what was going on.
“I fucking knew it,” I muttered under my breath.
“Knew what?” Grayson asked.
“He’s a fucking snake. He screwed us. I knew it.” There was no way I was going to sit back and let it happen either. Nor was I going to let Jess stand up to that asshole by herself.
I pushed out of my chair and picked my way down the row I was sitting in, Summit hot on my heels, of course.
Jess continued speaking while I tried to get closer to her.
“New information has come to light,” she said. “I have in my hands the new proposal for Timberstone by the development company that makes it clear they knew we were going to reject the initial proposal.”
There were more murmurs from the crowd.
“They addressed our concerns, just as we asked,” she said. “On the surface, it actually looks quite good. And that’s what they were counting on.”
“Aren’t you one of them?” someone yelled.
Jess turned to look at the man who’d called out. “I am,” she said honestly. “Which is why I’m so ashamed that I didn’t recognize this sooner.” She turned back to face the council. “In their renewed proposal, you will see the accommodations they made to fit our recommendations. What you might not notice are the subtle changes they’ve made at the same time.”
Changes?
“What we need in Trickle Creek are more affordable housing options for our residents,” Jess said clearly. “And despite what the development company would have you believe, this new proposal doesnotaccomplish that. I officially withdraw my support for the development and my recommendation.” She turned then to face Trevor, who looked like he might explode at any moment. “As well as my position with Timberstone,” she told him. “I quit.”
Jess
