The Boss's Proposal by Kristin Hardy Read Free Book Online Page B

“It’s important to have a starting point. If nothing else, knowing what you don’t want will help you figure out what you do want.” He pushed the drawings aside and turned toward the door. “She’sright, you know,” he added as he crossed the threshold. “You really should see the site. Go on over, kick the dirt, check out the exposures. Get some fresh air.”
    Silence hung in the air for a moment after he left. Dylan raised a brow. “The rain’s stopped. Want to take a ride?”
    Max let out a breath and nodded. “You drive, I’ll buy coffee.”
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    Set on a promontory southwest of downtown, Portland General Medical Center had long formed a major part of the city skyline. If form indeed followed function, the building stood as proof that the philosophy wasn’t always a good thing. In the ninety-seven years since opening, the austere, four-story brick building had sprouted additions, wings and outbuildings that were successful to varying degrees, the average degree, Max thought, being not very.
    â€œChrist, what a mess,” Dylan said as he rested his arms on the roof of his car, staring across at the complex from the front parking lot.
    â€œDesign by committee gone wrong,” she agreed. “That’s what happens when you don’t have a master plan.”
    Of course, even master plans didn’t always work out, Max thought as they closed their doors and walked toward the building. She’d proven that to herself not half an hour before. She’d had team leaders she’d worked with—and around—seamlesslyfor years. With Dylan Reynolds, it hadn’t taken five minutes for her to completely lose control of the situation.
    His presumption needled her, his arrogance annoyed her. There was also the matter of that humming awareness that ran through her when he was nearby. It distracted her, put her off her game.
    The site visit offered a fresh opportunity, she figured. They were outdoors with plenty of space between them, no more of those disconcerting tight interior spaces. It would set her free to focus on persuasion, one of her strongest suits.
    The thunderstorm had exhausted itself, leaving a few ragged shreds of cloud through which the sun now streamed. They headed toward the main building, paralleling the horseshoe drive that allowed vehicles to drop patients at the front doors. The dormer windows on the roof of the main building caught the light.
    Max stopped at the curb. “The addition will run from here to tee into the main building at the front doors. The footprint extends to about the third dormer window on either side wing. The entrance drive and the lot we parked in will need to come out to make room.”
    Dylan nodded, studying the facade. His eyes weren’t black, she saw in the daylight, but dark brown with little flecks of amber. “You know, it’s not her fault. Look at those proportions. Look at the detail work around the windows. The lady’s got good bones.She’s kept her dignity, even if they have stuck that god-awful temporary bungalow on her front lawn. We can make this work.”
    â€œOf course we can.”
    â€œWhat we can do is combine a modern look with the traditional elements. We’ll have to watch how we use new materials, though.”
    Or not use them at all, Max thought, happy to take the opening. “So you’re saying we should just stay with brick?” she asked. “I like the idea. What are you thinking, jump off from the original design, maybe echo that contrast detailing around the windows?”
    â€œNot necessarily.” He began walking parallel to the building, taking long, loose-limbed strides.
    Max watched a moment before chasing after him in her heels. “Weren’t you the one who was just telling me she has good bones?”
    â€œI was.”
    â€œSo if I understand you right, you’re thinking we should design an addition that