Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Valerie
By ten Monday morning, I knew the numbers were off, way off.
I sighed, rubbing my temples to try and relieve the oncoming headache.
I’d decided to go over the numbers once again before I talked with Lucas.
They hadn’t changed. Why couldn’t I figure out why the numbers didn’t match up?
The only pattern: One day, the figures didn’t jive, then the next day they did, but what happened in the ensuing twenty-four hours to make that happen?
“Problem?” Lucas prompted from across the room.
“Yes.” I turned my chair in his direction. “Can you tell me more about the company you want to acquire?”
“Sure. Why don’t you come over here, and I’ll show you the initial proposal Legal worked up.”
I got up and took the chair next to Lucas’ as he pulled out a thick file folder. He opened it. “A furniture company?” Why would they acquire a furniture company? How would that fit in with FI?
“Confusion is written all over you face. Maybe this will help.” He flipped the page.
My eyes went wide as I stared at the bed. It wasn’t like any bed I’d ever seen. Extra-large, with a metal frame spiral headboard, with handcuffs dangling from one of the spirals. “Umm, that’s very unique.”
Lucas laughed. “Oh Valerie, you’re so beautiful when you blush.”
I didn’t know about beautiful, but my body was reacting to what I was seeing.
Some of the romances I’d read described kink furniture, but I’d never checked out pictures of actual furniture.
I made a mental note to correct that in the very near future.
For now, my imagination was going in all kinds of interesting directions.
“This is just one of the metal beds they offer.”
Fantasies, Inc. fulfilled fantasies. The company they were courting made kink furniture. Hand, meet glove. The perfect merger.
“I get it. A company that promotes a healthy sex life and fulfills fantasies merges with a kink furniture maker. Great fit, but again, why this particular company?”
“Let’s see if I can explain. Operations takes care of the fantasy the client has.
Marcus is R I wanted to get to know both of them better.
“I needed to get out of the building,” Emma said, as they pushed open the door and we walked out into the muted sunshine. Not unusual for Seattle to have partly cloudy skies, but at least it wasn’t raining.
“Asher driving you crazy again?” Cassie asked.
“Always. Now he wants to create a new app for all the employees to use.”
“For what?” I asked. Emma had mentioned she and Asher were working on apps to make things easier for the clients and employees.
“Something to make it easier to order food. Sometimes he doesn’t have a clue how hard these apps are.”
Cassie laughed. “They’re men. Of course they have no clue.”
“Wait a second, isn’t Asher the head of Technology?” This was confusing.
“He is.” Emma sighed. “He’s also a programmer, but I’m better.”
I loved Emma’s confidence. Sometimes, I wished I had that kind of confidence, especially when it came to my family. “Where are we going?”
“Sorry,” Cassie said. “I forgot to tell you. We’re going to my favorite sandwich shop. It’s just another block.”
Summit Café, the sign over the door said as Cassie ushered us inside. She waved at the waitress who pointed to a booth in the corner. Cassie led us over to the booth that had a reserved sign on it, and we sat down.
“Who do you know?” Emma asked, looking around at the full cafe.
“This place is busy.” Sure, it was lunchtime, but the atmosphere was genuinely relaxed, and the diners were obviously enjoying the food. Cassie was a regular customer, but to have a reserved table, she must know the owners.
“My secret.” Cassie looked up as the waitress approached. “Hi, Rachel.”
“Hi, Cassie, ladies.” Rachel set three menus down.
“Thanks,” I said, taking note of Rachel’s dark blonde hair in a messy bun and her brown eyes assessing each one of us.
“Can I take your drink order?”
“I’ll have iced tea,” Cassie told her.
“That works for me,” I added.
“Water, please.”
“Coming right up.” Rachel grabbed the reserved sign and left.
“How do you know our waitress?” Emma asked. “I’ve only been here with you once, and I didn’t remember her name.”
“What makes you think I know her?”
“She called you by name and reserved you a table during lunch rush, so there’s something there.” I was a pretty good judge of people, and Cassie and Rachel were clearly friends. Was Rachel a client of FI?
Cassie shrugged. “I eat here a lot.” Cassie picked up her menu and hid behind it.
Emma looked at me and shrugged. Cassie wasn’t going to be forthcoming about how she knew Rachel, and that was okay. But I remained curious and chalked it up to how much I enjoyed a good mystery.