Preserving Love: A Contemporary Romance Series (Nick & Lexi Book 2) by Kay Brody Read Free Book Online Page B

our petition for approval. That meant I had to work on getting out into the community and making them favorable for the idea.  
    Before I had a chance to dive back into the paperwork my cell phone went off. It was a text from Lexi. She wanted us to have dinner that night and there was nothing I’d like to do more. Maybe this would be the answer to get things back where they need to be.  
    For the remainder of the day I focused on making plans. I scheduled with the city for a small event in the area where the resort would be located. We were going to provide some activities and a chance to get further information on the resort and the potential benefit to the city of Asheville.  
    I sent the order for brochures and flyers to the graphics department so that they could get something worked up and printed. I met with Brad and Morgan to discuss the details of the event that would take place in a few days.  
    “You’re doing a great job Monroe,” Morgan offered with a pat on the back. “We also have a little surprise that will help us out a bit.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Well now it’s not much of a surprise if we tell you,” Brad laughed. “Trust me, it will help build trust in us.”
    “Okay?” I questioned, feeling left out of something important.  
    “Or at the very least it will help the Preservation Society lose some of their support.”
    “We don’t really need to attack the society,” I argued. “They are only doing what they believe in.”
    “We aren’t attacking them,” Morgan corrected. “We are simply taking advantage of their own flaws to help better our position.”
    “Why can’t we just appeal honestly and hope the community favors us?”
    “Monroe,” Morgan’s voice became stern. “There’s a shit ton of money being thrown into your design. I don’t have money to throw away on hoping. I have to make sure this is going to work. The last one cost me a fucking fortune I didn’t have. Now,” he leaned across the desk and stared into my eyes. “You can be with us, or you can be against us,” he leaned back. “The choice is yours. I can do this design without your input.”
    I hated the man more every day. He knew what I’d say.  
    “Of course I’m with you.”
    “Good,” he replied. “Make sure this event is scheduled and goes well. I’ll take care of the rest.”
    With that I left his office, angry and feeling trapped. The only thing that helped me get through the last couple of hours was knowing that it wouldn’t be long until I was sitting with Lexi and making things okay. Whatever the company was up to didn’t matter. In a couple of weeks it’d all be over and we could live our normal lives again.  

    *****

Chapter 10
    Lexi
    “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” I laughed when I saw Kendall’s expression as she walked in the shop. “Is it that odd for me to be in a good mood?”
    “Lately, yes,” she grabbed a seat at the counter. “That’s not it though.”
    “Then what’s up?” I looked at her and realized something was upsetting her. Had her health nut guy ended things? Did she lose her job? It was unusual for Kendall to be upset about anything.  
    “You first,” she grabbed the candy I’d placed in front of her. “Why the smile?”
    “Evan and I had dinner last night,” I confessed with a blush. “We had a really good night.”
    “Did he say anything?”
    “Anything about what?” Her question surprised me.  
    “About this whole mess,” she shrugged. “Did he tell you what the company is up to?”
    “No,” I answered. “Why would he? Weren’t you the one saying I shouldn’t let that come between us?”
    “Yes but that was before..” she stopped for a minute, leaving me wondering what was going on.  
    “Before what?” she wouldn’t look at me. “Kendall,” I was getting worried. “What’s going on?”  
    “You haven’t seen the paper?” she asked, knowing damn well the answer would be no.  
    “I don’t read the