Read Online Look Closely by Laura Caldwell - Free Book Online

wave.
    As I walked, I gazed across the lake toward Chicago. If I narrowed my eyes, I could see the blocky outlines of the Sears Tower and the Hancock Building through the hazy sun.
    Somewhere over there, probably on Monday morning the arbitrators would come to their decision on the McKnight case, or maybe it was done already. Either way, it seemed a lose/lose situation. If I lost the arb, I’d have to work with Sean McKnight during a trial, and if I won, he might hire me again. The thought of dealing with his arrogant attitude on another case was not pleasant. I made myself find the bright side. If I won, it might be what I needed to ensure I would make partner. Some associates thought I was a shoo-in, knowing my father was on the executive committee, but the reality was that the higher-ups were so afraid of nepotism accusations that I had to prove myself more than the average attorney. Winning the McKnight case could help seal the deal.
    IstoppedwalkingwhenIsawaglintinthesand. Reaching down, I wrapped my fingers around a piece of clear beach glass, rounded to a perfect oval. I rubbed it between my fingers, caressing its smooth, dusty surface. It had the same feel as the green beach glass I’d found with my dad that day.
    When I got back to the inn, I looked at the clock over the front desk, surprised it was almost three in the afternoon. I hadn’t eaten anything for lunch except those few cookies at Del a’s.
    “Can I help you?” A man in his late twenties or early thirties came out of the back room. He grabbed a handful of the rusty hair that had fal en over his eyes and pushed it away, but it fel right back again.
    “Oh no,” I said. “I’m already checked in.” I pointed uselessly with my finger toward my room upstairsasifthatmightprovidesomeexplanation.
    “I’m Ty.” He held his hand over the desk. “Ty Manning.”
    He wasn’t much tal er than me, but he had a presence about him. When he smiled, his blue eyes crinkled a little around the corners.
    “Hailey.” I shook his hand. “That’s an interesting name—Ty.”
    “It’s short for Tyler, which is too preppy–East Coast–boarding school, don’t you think?”
    “Sure,” I said, unable to imagine this guy who wore old jeans and an olive T-shirt going to a boarding school on the East Coast or being cal ed Tyler. I knew a mil ion of those types from Manhattan, and unlike my first impression of Ty, they were much more arrogant, much more reserved. “So, do you work here?”

    “I own the place.”
    Icouldfeelmyeyebrowsrise.“Youowntheinn?”
    “Yeah. My parents bought it years ago. Their plan was to rehab it and run it as a B and B for an early retirement. My dad can’t seem to retire though, so I bought it from them.”
    “I’m impressed.”
    “You are?” He gave me a disarming smile, and again, his eyes crinkled with his grin. “Thanks. Which room do you have?”
    “Third floor on the right. It’s beautiful.”
    “I cal it the nap room because I feel like lying down every time I’m in there.”
    I laughed. “I can understand that.”
    Ty turned around and reached into a multileveled box where they kept the keys. “You said your name was Hailey, so your last name must be—” he lifted out a piece of paper with my check-in information, “—Sutter.”
    “Right.”
    He glanced up at me. “That sounds familiar.”
    “I used to be from around here.”
    “Ah.”
    “Do you know someplace I can get lunch?” I said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in Woodland Dunes.”
    “Sure. I can make a few recommendations.” He looked at the check-in slip a moment longer before he put it back in the box, then turned back to me, his lazy hair fal ing farther over one eye. “Mind if I join you?”
    “Oh.” I hadn’t expected him to ask that, although it wasn’t a total y unappealing thought. “Don’t you have to stay here?”
    “Nah, everyone’s checked in, and Elaine, my housekeeper, she’s like my right hand. She can deal