Glau’s resort could be built as easily in Idaho as on Santa Cortez. But Jackson’s vision is inextricably intertwined with the island, so much so that I can imagine no other architect coming close to creating such a sweetly perfect design.

And yet somehow I have to find just such an architect.

Well, damn.

What I should do is march back up to Damien’s office and argue on Jackson’s behalf. But I can’t seem to make myself push back from the desk. I don’t want Damien to think that I’m simply arguing for the man I’m sleeping with, and that frustrates me even more. Because, dammit, the man I’m sleeping with really is the best man for the job.

“Fuck.”

“Trouble?” The voice is cultured East Coast with just enough of a British flair to be inherently sexy. All of which means that it belongs to Aiden Ward, the vice-president of Stark Real Estate Development, and my immediate superior for The Resort at Cortez project.

I twist around in my chair to find him leaning against the entrance to my cubicle, which constitutes my temporary office in the real estate department. When and if I leave Damien’s desk to be a full-time worker bee on this floor, I’ll get an office with a door and windows. Until then, I’m in cubicle land.

“Usually you’re so bloody cheerful,” Aiden says amiably. He has dark blond hair and green eyes that flash when he’s amused. Like now. “Whatever could be the matter?”

I make a face. “Don’t even pretend you haven’t heard.”

“I have, and I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I think Damien’s making a mistake. In this day and age, Jackson’s arrest is hardly a blip. Hell, the PR department could probably have a field day leaking stories to the press. We’d end up selling out opening day so fast we’d have to arrange for a month-long opening extravaganza. What?” he adds, frowning at me.

I shake my head and adjust my expression. “It’s just that I agree with you. Did you talk to Damien?”

“Haven’t seen him. I was in New York yesterday and I’ve been at the Century City site all morning. Why?”

“No reason,” I say, and I have to wonder if Damien’s going to tell Aiden the whole truth. I suppose there’s no reason to, especially now that Jackson’s off the project. But at the same time, the truth about Jackson and Damien’s relationship is out there, and I’ve never known Damien Stark to let other people be in control of key information.

“So was it your general malaise at the situation that had you muttering curses when I walked up? Or has something more specific got you riled up?”

“This,” I say, passing him the folder of Glau’s work. “It’s trite and mundane and downright dull compared to the work Jackson was doing.”

He sits down on the corner of my desk and flips through the folder. Then he looks over at my bulletin board where I’ve tacked up Jackson’s sketches. One beat, then another. Then he tosses the folder with Glau’s work in my recycling bin. “So we ask him for a fresh approach or we find another architect.”

“Time’s an issue,” I admit. “Quality and experience are another. We’ve been down this road already, remember? When Glau quit, Jackson was our only legitimate option. Who else had the kind of reputation that would keep the investors happy?”

“Agreed,” Aiden says. “But we’re further down the road now.”

“Not by much.” Although it feels like Jackson and I have been working together for ages, the truth is it’s barely even been a week since he officially signed onto the project.

“No, but sometimes it’s more about psychology. They’ve turned the ignition key twice now. That means that they think it’s a viable project. And no one likes to second-guess themselves.”

I consider his words and have to agree that he has a point. “The investors are invested?”

He chuckles. “Something like that.”

“Even if you’re right, I still have to find someone that I can live with.” I lean back in my chair and focus on the ceiling. “What about Nathan Dean?”

“Really?”

I sit back up again, the chair creaking slightly with my movement. “You’d veto him?”

“I might,” Aiden admits. “More importantly, I think Damien would.”

“Yeah?” I’m surprised. Dean recently told me that he and Aiden have been friends for years. But more than that, Dean designed Damien’s extremely awesome Malibu house, so I happen to know Damien is pleased with his work. And since I was the point person for Damien on that job, I know that Dean is easy to get along with and doesn’t freak out at last-minute changes. I also happen to know that although his experience is primarily residential, he wants to branch out into commercial projects. And considering how much Damien enjoys finding and nurturing talent, I’m surprised by Aiden’s reaction.