“What I want,” Emmett began, “is for you to tell them the truth.” His sharp features and strong jaw appeared to relax. “Go through everything, start to finish, just like you did with me last night. When you’re finished, I’ll ask you to leave the room so we can discuss everything as a team. Once we’re done, I’ll come back out to let you know our answer.”
She didn’t hesitate to agree. “Hopefully it doesn’t take long for your people to decide.”
Because time was ticking for Amy Weaver. The young intern who’s fear-filled eyes had begun to haunt Janie’s dreams. And she knew peaceful sleep wouldn’t visit her again until she figured out what really happened.
“Mornin’, boss! I come bearing gifts.”
The jovial voice pulled her focus from Emmett’s intense stare to the smiling blonde who’d just entered the room. Close to Janie’s own five-six frame, she had long, straight, sandy-blonde hair, brown eyes, and a smile so friendly it instantly put Janie at ease.
In the woman’s hands were two carefully balanced, disposable drink trays with three lidded to-go cups snuggled securely within each one.
Emmett’s brow furrowed. “You do know we have a fresh supply of coffee in the break room, right?”
“Yeah, about that.” The blonde placed the trays onto the conference room table before lifting her focus back to him. “I made a pot when I was here the other night, putting my office together. And I’m sorry to say, but that stuff you bought?” Her head shook from side to side. “That, my friend, is not coffee.”
Janie smirked, looking over to see Emmett’s reaction. As expected, his strong features had fallen into a deep scowl.
“I’ve had some of it, too, and it tasted perfectly fine to me.”
The other woman pulled one of the lidded cups free from its tray and marched it over to where Emmett still stood. “That’s because you’ve probablynever experienced the good stuff.” She handed him the cup. Turning her eyes Janie’s way, she held out the same hand and said, “Hi. I’m Gwen. You must be Janie.”
“I am.” She matched the woman’s firm grip.
“In case you’re wondering about my place on the team, I’m the one who blows things up.” Her smile grew. “Oh, and I have something for you, too.”
She did?
Janie was still processing the comment about blowing stuff up when the jovial woman hurried away. Gwen was back in a flash with another cup in her hand and the same girl-next-door smile spread across her pretty face.
“I thought you could probably use one of these this morning.”
“Oh. Thanks.” Janie took the beverage with an appreciative smile.
The first sip she took was one of polite caution, having no way of knowing what the other woman had ordered on her behalf. As the hot, deliciously sweet brew rolled across her tastebuds, Janie was surprised when she realized it was her morning favorite.
“This is my exact order.” She eyed Gwen suspiciously. “How did you?—”
“Lucky guess.” The other woman shrugged before spinning on her heels and strolling back around the table.
Something told Janie it was more than luck, but she chose to let that one go.
“Ah, yes! The good stuff.” A man in his thirties appeared in the doorway.
Tall. Fit. Short, brown hair. A boyish grin and a set of big, blue eyes.
Wearing an ear-to-ear smile, he set the tablet in his hands down onto the table and said, “If you weren’t my teammate, Winslow, I might be tempted to fall in love.”
“In your dreams, Savage.” Gwen handed him one of the remaining drinks.
“You’re a godsend.” He closed his eyes, inhaled a deep whiff of the steaming brew, and took a healthy sip. A quick swallow later, his blue gaze returned, immediately going to Emmett’s next. “No offense, but your coffee sucks. Hard.”
With a deep clearing of his throat, Emmett ignored the comment and turned her way. “Blake Savage meet Janie Reynolds. She’s the reporter who’s interested in becoming our client.”
Blake’s round eyes blinked, almost as if he’d just realized she was there as his focus shifted to her with an unapologetic jut of his scruff-covered chin. “Good to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Janie responded with a smile.
“Blake’s the team’s technical analyst,” Emmett explained.
