Jackson slowed when the harbor came into view.
“This is Circular Quay,” Cameron said, pointing at the ferry terminal. “We’re going to meet the team at a place out along the water.”
Jackson looked where he was pointing out into the harbor. Boats movedslowly through the water, and behind them, the Sydney Opera House peeked out among the buildings. She reached into her purse and pulled out her little red book. She flipped through the pages until she felt Cameron’s stare. Wait. Her most recent addition to the list was not exactly the message she wanted to send right now. She stuffed it back into her bag and pretended to look at the harbor. It worked.Cameron crossed the street, and she followed.
But did she write “visit Sydney Opera House” or had she wanted to see a performance there? Probably the former, since her teenage self wouldn’t have had much interest in operas or plays. Did seeing the building from a distance count? Nah. Someday she’d find the time to stay in Sydney for a month or two and do it properly.
But since she’d movedout of Rob’s apartment, her rent had doubled. Which had turned a five-year plan into a ten-year plan. So for now, she’d have to soak up as much of the city as she could from afar. With Cameron Blackmore at her side. Which, all things considered, might be ideal under any other circumstance but this.
They walked along the water’s edge. She stole a look at Cameron and found that he was studyingher.
“You were good with everyone at the office today,” he said. “Impressive.”
Jackson smiled. “Thanks. I like my job.”
“What do you like about it?”
“I can do a lot in just a couple weeks, and that feels good,” she said. “Most companies just need to get on the right track.”
He looked genuinely interested, so she continued.
“Before I came here I was in California,” she said.“This company and its union had been in negotiations that turned sour, and that got lots of press. But when they reached an agreement, both the company and the workers wanted some good PR.”
“Did your boost work?”
Jackson nodded. “It did. And they’re still following the post-intervention plan I made, which is always a good sign.”
He was quiet, and she was perfectly happy to just takein her surroundings. The ferries and smaller boats floated in and out of the harbor. Above them, the bridge spanned the bay.Climb the Harbour Bridge.That was definitely on the list. Someday.
“What happens when you get an assignment from a company you don’t believe in?” he asked.
Jackson sighed. “I try to find something redeeming about them. But someday I’d like to be able to pick andchoose my jobs.”
“What would you choose?” he asked.
She laughed. “Definitely more international locations. Maybe Paris?”
If this trip went well, maybe she could. Now that she was getting some of the larger clients, there might be more international travel in her future.
“What do you think about Blackmore Inc.?” he asked. “Have you found something redeeming about us yet?”
Shelaughed. “Are you fishing for compliments?”
Cameron grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. “You have a whole file on me. I’m just trying to figure out what I’m in for these next two weeks.”
She raised an eyebrow at him.
They had somehow found themselves walking closer, and his hand brushed against hers. He didn’t move away, and neither did she. He fell into step next to her, andfor a moment she let herself forget he was Cameron Blackmore. She let him be the man he was last night: funny, smooth-talking and tempting as hell. And this time he was in a little better focus. He was such a physical presence that she’d have trouble ignoring him, even if she didn’t know just how good a night with him could be. And now that she knew?
Cameron pointed ahead to where the pedestrianwalk split. One path led up to the Sydney Opera House, and another lower path continued along the water. Nestled below the higher path was an outdoor bar with tables.
“There’s the place where we’re headed,” he said.
But as they came closer, his easy smile disappeared. They had managed to bridge the awkwardness of their eye-opening introduction for a little while, but that bridge had disappeared.He widened his paces, and Jackson took a couple quick steps to keep up.
Cameron approached the hostess and grumbled a few indecipherable words at her. The woman nodded and led them inside, underneath the upper level of the promenade, to a table in the back corner of the restaurant. As Jackson’s eyes adjusted to the dim light, she recognized the three men sitting around the table from theirphotos. They were all a lot larger in person.
The blond guy, the one who had been caught whispering in the high-profile actress’s ear, took one long look at her and turned to Cameron.
