Chapter 17
“Y ou haven’t signed the documents my lawyer sent to you,” Nichelle accused as she sat.
“That’s because I haven’t had time to read it,” Gina said, easing back from the desk. “I’ve been busy, as you know.”
“I bet you applied to the Companies Office for the change of directors on the company documents, though.”
“Did I have a choice? The fact that you asked me about a name I had before we went into business together made it urgent.” She stared at Nichelle, who was impeccable in a pale pink business suit. “What is it that’s so important? I don’t have time for this now. I have a function today.”
“So do I, but I’m here.”
Gina shook her head. “I’m really sorry, but I can’t sign off on something I haven’t read.”
She deliberately hadn’t made the time to look at the email or the document that arrived several days ago. Their relationship was beyond repair, but for some reason Gina didn’t want to face the finality signing the agreement would bring. It was a painful reminder of how both her friend and lover had abused her trust.
Nichelle pressed her lips together, then sighed. “Your lawyer could look at it and give you the highlights.”
“You know me. I take a hands-on approach with business.”
“Right.” Nichelle’s mouth puckered, and she looked over Gina’s shoulder.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you never trusted me during our partnership. What you call hands-on is really micro-managing. Every time I serviced one of your clients, you’d call to check on me as if I needed supervision.”
“My clients are my business. One I’ve built for five years. Forgive me if I’m a little over-protective about earning a living, which keeps my son fed, clothed, and sheltered.”
Nichelle narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth, but Gina stopped her by raising one hand. “Please tell me what is in the contract that I need to pay particular attention to, since it’s important enough for you to visit.”
“I want this building.”
With a sharp inhale, Gina cocked her head as if she’d heard wrong. “Excuse me?”
“I’m the one who signed the rental contract for this space.”
Gina opened both hands. “Yes, because it was necessary.”
“Since my signature is on the lease, it’s only fair that I get to stay.”
“But you moved your stuff out.”
“Doesn’t matter.” One corner of Nichelle’s mouth rose in a lopsided smile. “I can move back in ... when you leave.”
Gina stared at the desk, as a crushing weight dropped onto her chest, then raised her head to look at the other woman. “Why are you doing this?”
Her eyes flashed with what Gina read as triumph, then Nichelle shrugged. “All’s fair in love and war. Why should I be the one to search for new digs when you ended our partnership?”
“So, you really thought we could continue sharing a business under the circumstances?”
This time, anger flared in Nichelle’s eyes. “You could have given me time to sort myself out, but you had to do everything in a hurry. This is the price you pay.”
“Unreal.”
Rising, Nichelle smoothed her jacket. “It may be, but I need that contract signed. I also want you out of this building by next week.”
“But it will be Christmas,” Gina protested.
“That’s your problem, not mine.”
She swept through the door and when it closed behind her, Gina sank into the seat and clasped her head between both hands. She’d grown used to this building, which was the perfect location. Now, in one blow, she’d lost what had become a familiar and cherished space. As if she didn’t have enough to deal with already.
Her phone rang, but she ignored it. Her problems had multiplied because of one poor decision, and it wasn’t even hers.
But who was she to say Boyd and Nichelle’s choice was a terrible one? If they were happy together, how could she judge them? Still, she’d never trust either of them again. And for Nichelle to demand that she give up their rental ... that was unreasonable.
She picked up the phone and saw that the call she missed was from Zack, but Tara popped her head inside the door before Gina could ring him back.
“Everything okay, boss lady?”
Gina knew exactly what she was asking, so she dredged up what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Yeah, all is well.”
She could have told Tara what was happening, but that was not her style. Gina preferred to dissect her problems in private before sharing them with other people. Also, she’d have discussed it with Seya before telling anyone at work. Her focus returned to the room when Tara cleared her throat. “You have a visitor.”
Gina frowned. “Who is it?”
“His name is Zack Winters.”
“Ah.” Gina didn’t offer any explanation, but nodded slowly. “Send him in.”
“Will do.”
Tara left the door open and returned in a moment, with Zack behind her. She stepped aside, but scoped out the bags and the cardboard container with drinks he carried, then offered Gina a sly grin.
“I brought lunch.” Zack placed the container with the lemonade on the front of her desk, then sat. “I called ahead, but didn’t get you.”
“Sorry, I had a visitor.”
He’d asked to see her after offering to help with Thursday’s function. Their chat was supposed to be a quick one, but she appreciated him bringing lunch.
Her staff was in the middle of preparing food for this evening’s event, and their cook had also taken care of lunch for the team, but Gina hadn’t eaten as yet.
“You’re going to make my cook mad with me.”
He placed two bags on the desk and put his palms together as if praying. “Tell her it’s my fault and that I’m asking for her forgiveness.”
Gina laughed. “Don’t worry. I certainly will.”
Scanning the desk, he said, “You need to clear a space for this stuff.”
“Not to worry.” She shifted items to both sides, then stood. “Give me a minute to get some place mats.”
She moved down the corridor and into the kitchen, which was a hive of activity. The chef and six other people moved around prepping items to be baked, fried, and steamed.
Gina was in and out in two minutes, after washing her hands, gathering the items she needed, and placing them on a tray. She unrolled the mats made of thin bamboo strips onto the desk in front of her seat and Zack’s, then watched him spritz his hands with sanitizer.
The beef and chicken roti wraps were tasty and substantial, yet she didn’t feel as if she’d eaten too much. The giant oatmeal cookie he presented as a surprise made her chuckle.
“You’re going to spoil me rotten, aren’t you?”
“I might, if you let me,” was his response as his eyes smoldered over the cup of lemonade. “But I can tell there’s something on your mind.”
“The issue has to do with work.” She wiped her mouth and laid the napkin on the sandwich box.
“Care to share?”
She shifted in the seat and stared at him. “Can I be honest?”
“Of course. We agreed to be one hundred percent open with each other.”
“I’d prefer not to tell you.”
Frowning, he leaned in. “Why not?”
“You were good enough to introduce me to Lizette when I dropped off Luca.”
“News flash. You’d have met her anyhow.”
She held up one finger to keep him quiet. “I realized you were there early to do the intros yourself, although you didn’t have to be since she’s back at work.”
His grin was contagious. “I give you that, but it’s no biggie. Lizette loves kids, and Luca is a charmer.”
“I still don’t know how I feel about leaving my child with a stranger.”
“My sister isn’t a stranger,” he insisted. “If you’re a friend of mine, you’re all right with her. Plus, in case you haven’t noticed, nobody is a stranger to Luca for long.”
“True.” Gina sighed and poked at the napkin. “It still doesn’t sit right to me, to be really frank.”
“That’s because you always lean on family.” He mirrored her earlier gesture with one finger to stop her from speaking. “And there’s nothing wrong with that. I get that you’re not used to accepting help from people outside your circle, but this is a small thing since the event won’t run that late. And you won’t have to worry about Luca. He likes Lizette already.”
Gina could see why he did the moment she met Lizette, who resembled Zack but had softer facial features. She also had a ready smile, and Luca warmed to her instantly. Zack’s raised eyebrows reminded her of the issue she’d been dodging.
“You’re helping me already. I don’t want to bog you down with my problems.”
“ I asked you.”
His emphasis made her smile, and knowing he wanted to help made her happy.
“And I thank you, but I can handle this issue. It’s nothing major.”
His dubious expression said exactly what he was thinking. Zack didn’t believe her, but he said, “Okay, but if you need help, I’m here.”
She nodded and gathered the lunch containers. After throwing them in the garbage, she returned and scooted closer to the desk. “Let’s talk about Thursday.”