So much for thinking that look was one of admiration. Tara disliked being characterized that way. She put herself in front of the world as a confident person because it got her the things she wanted. She never meant to be daunting. “I think he was worried that people would like me more than they liked him. He wanted everyone to worship him, even when he wasn’t being nice.”
“That’s why he loved to make me the bad guy. He needed people to see him as the good one.”
That had always been true of Johnathon. He often hid the unlikable parts of himself in an effort to get people to adore him. It was only the people closest to him who saw the real man. “Can I see what you did with Johnathon’s office?”
Grant glanced at the Tag Heuer watch Johnathon had given him years ago. “I have a meeting in a few minutes. Why don’t you get settled and we can chat later?”
She could see what he was doing and she disliked it greatly. “Grant. My getting settled is going to involve me opening my laptop and you telling me the WiFi password. Don’t tuck me away in a corner and expect me to go away. I want to work. Let’s talk about a project for me.”
“Like?”
Tara already knew from Miranda that what she was about to say would be met with little enthusiasm. It didn’t stop her from marching ahead. “The Seaport Promenade. It’s a travesty that Sterling isn’t in on this bidding process with the city and it isn’t too late for us to make it happen.”
As expected, Grant met her comment with a distinct scowl. “Not a good idea. It’ll end up being nothing but a huge waste of time and resources.”
“Well, gee. Tell me how you really feel.”
“If you can’t deal with my opinions on things, Tara, we’re going to have some serious problems. I’m in charge now.”
Tara had to wonder if perhaps this was Grant flexing his new muscle. She liked seeing him like this, showing some fight and exerting his control. She stepped closer and picked a fleck of lint from his jacket, then smoothed her hand over his lapel. “Of course you are. You’re the boss and I’m here to learn.”
Grant cleared his throat, staring down at her hand. “I know you’re capable and smart, but there’s still a lot you don’t know about this side of real estate.”
“Okay, then. I’m ready to learn. But if we’re going to argue about Seaport Promenade, I think we should do it in your office.” She made her way for the door, but cast a look back at him over her shoulder. “It’s got to be more comfortable than mine.”
One thing Tara had said was now permanently stuck in Grant’s mind: we should do it in your office. He knew he shouldn’t let his brain go there, but it had already happened, and now the rest of his body was having a field day with the idea. Grant felt as though all blood flow had left his brain for regions south. This was not a good start to his work day.
Against his better judgment, he gave in to her suggestion. “Come on. I’ll postpone my meeting so we can talk this out.”
He and Tara started down the hall to his office. Grant had no idea how he was going to live through this. Being around Tara was already an excruciating exercise in holding back and it had only been fifteen minutes. He’d spent the last decade not getting what he wanted. And now he couldn’t have her, either. It would make everything too messy if they became involved, especially for the company.
Sterling was already on unsteady ground. He was truly torn about how best to handle Tara in the scope of the business—give her what she wanted in order to create less friction? Or fight her on it all and ultimately convince her that this trial of hers wasn’t going to work? It was a conundrum for sure. He wanted to be with her. He’d wanted her for a decade. And this business idea of hers was ruining any chance of that.
They arrived at his office, on the exact opposite end of the building. He’d purposely put Tara as far away as possible. He hoped that she’d be less of a distraction. Perhaps things could ultimately play out that way, but for today, his strategy had failed. “Here you go.” With a flourish of his hand, he welcomed her inside. “It still doesn’t feel like mine. I have a feeling my job is going to be like that for a while, too.” He didn’t want to be vulnerable, but he knew he could be honest with Tara. If he wasn’t, she’d probably figure it out anyway.
“But you’ve wanted this for a long time, right?”
Funny, but he’d always been sure that being in charge would make things better. Now that he was in this role he’d longed for, it wasn’t yet feeling like everything he’d waited for. “What I’ve most wanted is the chance to run things the way I see fit. Johnathon and I butted heads a lot and he always managed to win. That got to be tiresome.” It was no exaggeration. Johnathon came out on top with everything.
“So what are you wanting to tackle first?” Tara asked. “Anything in particular that you and Johnathon had been fighting over that wasn’t going the way you wanted it to?”
“Well, since you put it that way, I have to tell you that my first priority was to put an end to any talk of pursuing the Seaport Promenade project. Johnathon really wanted to put in a bid with the city, but he wasn’t the one who had to deal with the red tape.”
The Seaport Promenade was a strip of property along the bay which was owned by the city. The current facilities included an aging park, some open space, and a small shopping
