Exclusive Excerpt from Open Season

by Susan Stradiotto

Nineteenth Hole

Javine puzzled over why she turned away just as their eyes met. But when she approached Alan, her reasons seemed logical. She was pristine, poised in her golf skirt and collared shirt. He went to the bar, leaned onto his elbows, ordered a Macallan single-malt—neat, and waited. He’d be patient, they’d come his way soon. And they did.

Javine forced himself to not blink against the irritating contacts that bothered his vision. The light surrounding Elle was still there, but muted. It annoyed him to have the acuity blurred, but the obfuscation was necessary. From the time he’d watched her over the years, Javine knew the colors of her glow—the marker that predicted Flare.

“Andre Jordan, I’d like you to meet the new V.P. of Corporate Communication, Elle Jones,” Alan introduced, making the predictable motions from one to the other.

Javine stood straight, scotch in one hand. Though his contacts and glasses obscured her glow, he’d seen the highlights before. Lavender streaks weren’t a foolproof indicator, but he’d come prepared just in case. He offered her a gloved hand. If her Flare turned out to be touch activated, he didn’t want to inadvertently give things away.

“Coming from the range, Mr. Jordan?” Elle asked.

He raised his brows with a single nod to affirm, then said, “Elle, I understand that you come to Travelers from Jewel Systems?”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jordan.”

“—Andre,” he cut in. “Software to financial services is quite the leap. What made you switch?”

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