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delay.”
    “Why were we not informed this was not residential?”
    “It has only been decided recently,” I was honest. “The company realized that the design created was far more suited to a resort than a permanent home. We also have decided we like the city and would like to add to its appeal and not detract from it.”
    “I see,” she replied, quieting to think.  
    “This is bullshit!” Lexi commented loudly. “This is a game to avoid the rules.”
    “A point you can make at the hearing to decide on whether or not the building should be allowed Alexis,” the lady spoke to her. “We will reconvene in two weeks to make a final decision. We ask that all parties act fairly and according to the rules laid out.”
    With that the meeting was over and I was the object the worst glare I’d ever seen from her beautiful face. She hated me and yet she walked toward me.  
    “Favors, huh?” she snapped. “Nice one.”  
    “Lunch still okay?”
    “Oh you bet your ass Evan Monroe. I have a few things to say to you that can’t be discussed in this atmosphere.”
    “It’s a job Lexi,” I reminded her.  
    “And I’m a person Evan,” she commented. “A person you say you want to be with. Yet this was how your job played out today.”
    “I’m sorry,” I confessed.  
    “Me too,” she replied. “Meet me at the diner by the shop.”
    She turned and walked away, letting me know that we were not on good terms. Yet I stood there, still hopeful that the feelings she had for me would outweigh the anger.  
    “Good job Monroe,” Brad stood behind me, smirk on his face.  
    “Why are you here?”
    “To make sure things went smoothly. That’s all. I look forward to the actual hearing.”
    “I don’t,” I mumbled. “I’m going to lunch and then home. Tell Morgan I’ll be back at the office tomorrow.”
    I turned and walked away, not giving him a chance to stop me. I needed to fix the situation with Lexi and that the only thing on my mind as I left the building.  

    *****

Chapter 8
    Lexi
    I sat at the diner waiting for Evan to show up and trying like hell to mellow the anger. I hadn’t been prepared at all for what he’d thrown at me with the HRC. Hell, I’d barely been prepared to be there. I certainly didn’t expect him to be.  
    That wasn’t even the point that pissed me off the most. We were supposed to be a couple. Yet I found out because I stood there? What if someone else had gone in my place? Would I have heard of his words through them?  
    I’d tried to call him several times over the past few days. I was hoping that we could get together. Spend a little while enjoying each other’s company and away from the nonsense of this condo development. But he’d never answered and hadn’t called back.  
    I tried not to think about any of it. The accusations of unfairness I’d caused in the last battle. The fact they’d chosen a resort instead of a condo community so that they could bypass some of the regulations. Hell, the fact that he was standing on the opposite side looking and acting as though we barely knew each other. Then wanting to have lunch.  
    Unfortunately his delay left too much thinking time. I was facing the Society trying to push me out over him and he didn’t afford me the courtesy of answering a call. Needless to say, by the time he arrived I was already angry.  
    “Sorry I’m late,” he offered with a smile that appeared genuine and hesitant all at the same time.  
    “It’s the least of what you’ve done to me today.”
    “Lexi I didn’t ask for this,” He tried to explain but I didn’t want to hear it. “They made me go to that hearing.”
    “And they forced you to say those things? Did they also take your phone and prevent you from talking to me?”
    “No,” he admitted. “I didn’t want this…for us to argue.”
    “Maybe talking to me could have prevented that.”
    “I just want us to be okay,” he reached across and grabbed my hand and I felt a