100°

Mr. Phoenix

New money.

Two words had sent Alex Reed on a flight from L.A. to Texas in less than 24 hours.

Those two words were always exciting for a business manager to hear, but she wasn't so sure about this time.

Mainly because she wasn't the first choice from her firm.

Brian Harris, all around Mr. Perfect and her boss's Golden Boy had been paired with the client.

The magic charm he was well known for hadn't worked, and he'd been sent packing within the same twenty-four hours.

The office was trying to keep things pretty hush but something had gone down if Brian couldn't seal the deal.

She thought it was pretty funny until she realized she was next to get tossed in the pot.

Alex was damn good at her job but her clients were typically popstars and actresses.

And they without a doubt could bring their own challenges but dealing with a newly rich Texas rancher?

She didn't know how to make a game plan for this.

Quietly she sat on the passenger side of the out of place town car as it drove over the gravel road that occasionally rocked it.

Out of her window for miles and miles flat land stretched into forever.

The contrast between this place and L.A. was jarring.

But she was thankful for the time as it allowed her to think.

For a moment she tried to put herself in the client's shoes. Pretty much overnight he'd gone from an average farm owner to someone likely worth eight figures.

Now, not only was he new money but he was big money.

Had Brian been too pushy? Not pushy enough?

Alex's thoughts kept leading to more questions instead of possible strategy.

It looked like she was going to have to wing this one more than usual.

Phoenix Ranch.

They finally made it.

Alex barely caught the sign.

A long driveway from the path eventually led them to a moderate looking two story country house.

There were a few workers around who seemed curious enough about the car's arrival to stop what they were doing.

"Alright, let's do this," she murmured as she opened her door.

When she stepped out, the men's brows raised.

Alex imagined being a tall female in a designer business suit and heels wasn't a common sight around here. It was expected she'd draw some attention.

Still the overly suspicious looks were a tad unsettling.

What was she supposed to wear? A cowboy hat and steel toe boots? Maybe that's what Brian did and that's why they kicked him off the property.

Before her imagination got her smirking she adjusted her glasses as the driver took her bags out of the trunk.

"Good afternoon. I'm Alex Reed. I'm from Smith and Brown Management. I'm here to see Tyler Phoenix." There was a strong attempt to keep her introduction from sounding like a question.

She was so out of her element here.

The men's eyes went from narrowed to confused to some completely avoiding her.