Unbreak My Heart (Rough Riders Legacy #1)

“I won’t miss it either, but not everyone can get a bachelor’s degree in three years.” Lu hip-checked me as she passed by.

My reflex to correct her dried on my tongue. I’d finished my degree in three and a half years, partially from taking the basic classes at the University of Wyoming during my senior year of high school, partially because I’d grown up Gavin Daniels’ daughter. I CLEPed out of a shit ton of general business classes. And Dad accused me of not paying attention to him.

Right before I submerged myself in the pool, Lu said, “We’re not done dissecting this dealio with Boone, S. Because it’s not going away.”

Seemed to be a theme in my life today.





Déjà vu day two.

Cooling my heels in the reception area, waiting for Sierra to grant me an audience.

Restless as fuck but pretending to be chill.

The magazines stacked on the glass coffee table didn’t interest me.

I hadn’t bothered to try and charm the snippy receptionist after she played the “do you have an appointment?” game that I couldn’t win.

Yesterday I’d dressed to impress—not in a suit, but in casual clothes that broadcast my laid-back, yet professional vibe. I’d skipped that shit today. The trick to breaking down the wall Sierra had built between us was to show her that I hadn’t changed. Remind her of the worn-jeans-and-T-shirt-wearing guy she used to know.

Finally, Sierra’s office door opened and she sauntered toward me.

I immediately stood. Sweet Jesus. She fucking rocked business casual. The black dress sculpted the curve of her breasts and her torso, hugging her hips. The bottom flared out above her knees, drawing attention to those long, shapely legs. She hadn’t worn heels and I loomed over her by a good three inches.

“You didn’t used to be this much taller than me.”

I shrugged. “I grew a few inches after high school.”

“You showing up again today is part of your ‘I’m a burr’ plan to waste my valuable time?”

“You dismissed me yesterday before you let me get to the reason I’m here.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “So this isn’t a social call?”

“No, ma’am. I am here on business. And I’d rather discuss this in private.”

Her suspicion remained when she tersely said, “Follow me.” Wheeling around, she headed back to her office.

That ass. Man. I followed her swaying hips and managed not to be focused on her backside when she faced forward to rest her butt against the front edge of the desk. She didn’t even invite me to sit. “So you’re here on business?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of business are you in the market for?”

Dirty business, funny business, monkey business, me giving you the business. I told the twelve-year-old boy inside me to shut the hell up. “I’d like you to show me apartments, condos and house rentals for an army friend who’s moving here.”

She studied me. “You don’t have the first fucking clue about what my job entails at Daniels Property Management, do you?”

One minute in and I’d already screwed up. “Kyler said you were in real estate.”

“So naturally you thought I was a…real estate agent?”

Do not answer, dumbass. Do not even nod your fucking head.

“Was that why you were impressed with my corner office?”

“Clearly I screwed up in that assumption. So please enlighten me about what you do.”

Without breaking eye contact, Sierra reached behind her for a business card and flicked it at me.

I flipped it around, hoping the text didn’t swim. Big, bold black letters on a cream background read: Sierra McKay

Executive Vice President

Commercial and Industrial Property Expansion Specialist Daniels Property Management

I looked at her. “Impressive. What does the title mean?”

She flashed her teeth. “That I don’t drive clients around showing them residential properties.”

Ouch.

“But feel free to keep my business card in case…your friend needs to hire a company to oversee a full remodel or restoration of his commercial property. I specialize in coordinating all aspects of revitalizing retail spaces—any size from six hundred square feet to sixty thousand square feet.”

I tucked the business card in my front pocket after making sure it listed her contact number. “To be honest, I didn’t even know that was a thing.”

“A very real, very complicated thing which doesn’t leave me time to act as a real estate guide for you or anyone else.” She pushed up from the desk. “My assistant, Nikki, will give you a list of reputable Realtors we deal with.”

“So that’s it?” I said tightly.

“No BS, Boone. What do you really want from me?”

“Professionally? I want a Phoenix native to help me navigate all the suburbs and figure out the best, safest and most affordable place for my friend to live. You are obviously an expert in the real estate field—which, yes, I mistakenly took to mean you could show me specific apartments, condos and houses for rent. But your skill set being way above that pay grade doesn’t change the fact I still would like your help.”