Page 39 of Diego

Her smile returns, smooth enough that I know I’m not getting the full answer. “Enough that failure wasn’t an option.”

I study her for another moment. There is more behind that than professional pride, and I’m suddenly curious about exactly what Randall said to her after I left yesterday.

I make a note to look more into this Randall Shaw.

“Well, I have to admit,” I say, “I didn't have a lot of confidence in Randall, and by extension, Meridian, after the showings from yesterday, but what you pulled together today has made me reconsider.”

Blair’s expression shifts again, and for the first time I see something like surprise.

“Randall didn’t give me the listings.”

I look at her. “What?”

“He told me you wanted me to handle the showings, handed me your contact information, and left the rest to me.”

For a second, I just stare at her. “You pulled all of this together yourself?”

She nods. “Last night.”

That makes me rethink the entire day.

I had assumed Randall passed along whatever work he had already done, and Blair simply improved on it. Instead, she built the whole thing from nothing, with barely any time and none of the connections he should have given her.

My opinion of Randall drops another few levels.

My opinion of Blair does the opposite.

Now I make a definite note to look into Randall Shaw.

Whatever happened yesterday clearly involved more than Blair is telling me, but I can deal with that later.

Right now, she is standing in front of me after pulling together an entire day of showings on no notice while managing to understand what I want better than the man who has been running Meridian for years.

“For someone new,” I say, “you’ve done well.”

The compliment is different than the previous flirting. I can see it in her face before she covers it.

“Thank you.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I’m choosing to accept the compliment instead of arguing with you.”

“That’s very professional.”

“I have my moments.”

I grin and open the passenger door for her.

She pauses beside me. “You know, if you keep doing this, I’m going to start expecting it.”

“That’s usually how standards work.”

Her eyes lift to mine.

There is a beat there.

Then she slides into the seat, and I close the door behind her.