Page 5 of Sweet Dreams

“I did not click.”

Both men turned to look at me and I felt the heat rise up the back of my neck, “Okay, I clicked. But only a few times. I needed to make sure they all worked.”

Bruce snorted, and grandpa grinned down at me. “No interest in settling in and relaxing?”

“None,” I said.

“Alright, then, I guess I could have you cover the press conference for that new organization opening this week.”

“A press conference?”

Grandpa Lennon shrugged, “It’s more of a private sit down really, since we are the only press around. But, either way, we call it a press conference around here.”

I barely heard anything after the ‘press conference’. “When is it?”

“This afternoon, at town hall. They’ve got a new office going in there. You’ll be meeting with Traum Emerson, he’s the head of the External Trade Agency.”

“What is that?”

Grandpa Lennon nodded down at my laptop, “That’s what we want to find out.”

I took a few notes, “Got it, Travis Emerson, External Trade Agency.”

“Traum, like trauma without the a.”

I wrinkled my nose, “That’s not great.”

“But, memorable,” Grandpa Lennon rapped his knuckles on the heavy wood of my desk. “Have a short article ready and in my inbox by tonight.”

I stood up, reaching for my coat and slinging it around my shoulders. “Don’t worry boss, I’ve got it.”

I headed towards the door. My hand was on the handle when my grandfather spoke again, still standing by my desk. “Lulu?” His face was serious when I looked back.

“Yeah?”

“Be careful with Traum and his brother. They are here for a reason and until we know why, keep them at a distance.”

I cocked my head, “Of course.”

The door creaked shut behind me as I stepped out into the brisk spring air. Pulling my collar up against the temperature, I turned and pocketed my notebook, pen and phone. I had just enough time to get coffee and a snack before heading over to town hall.

A half hour later, my belly was happily full of a blueberry scone and my half-empty latte cup gave me something to fidget with as I sat in a freshly built reception area. The chairs were new, the art was new, even the smell of paint was still fresh in my nose.

But, one thing was clear, whomever was setting this space up had money to play with. After crossing my legs, I pulled out my pen and notebook and noted the expensive feel of the space, so at odds with the rest of Salus Glen’s aging town hall.

“Ms. Yale?” A deep voice spoke, startling me out of my notes. Raising my eyes, I found myself staring up at a very tall man, dressed casually in a blue suit and grey shirt. I stood quickly, fumbling to put my notebook away and extend my hand.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t even hear you.”

White teeth against warm tan skin smiled at me. “Part ninja, part trade agent,” his hand found mine, “Completely happy to make your acquaintance.”

Oh, he was smooth. The charm rolled off his tailored suit in waves and, as he shook my hand, my eyes habitually swept down low to his left hand.

No ring.

Interesting.

“I’m Traum Emerson,” the man said, releasing my hand as he stepped back giving me room to breathe. “Shall we go to my office?”