6. Talitha #2
“Are always right,” I sassed. “Here.” I handed the papers over. “You don’t have to admit it, I already know the truth.”
“I don’t give a shit what you know,” he grumbled and pulled out his phone. Without taking his eyes off the screen he asked, “You got any plans this weekend?”
“Gema will be back tomorrow.”
“Gema?”
“My granny,” I tittered. “She’s back home visiting. They’re bringing her back tomorrow.”
“She has a nurse right.”
“Correct.”
“See if you can secure her for the weekend. Preferably from Friday night until at least Monday morning. I’ll pay whatever she charges.”
“For what?”
“You said we need investors. So, I’m going to get us some. You will be the selling point.”
“I don’t know about that Law,” I fidgeted in my seat.
“Don’t know about what?” he asked and gave me an incredulous look. “Getting someone to stay with her for a few nights or going out of town?”
“Going out… Both,” I breathed.
“I promise to be a gracious host. I’ll have my assistant book the rooms and Baker will drive us to and from the airstrip. As soon as we’ve secured enough money to bring your vision to life, I’ll have you back home.”
Gnawing on my bottom lip, I tried to talk myself of the ledge. I had never gone out of town with a man. Granted this was a business trip but with my very handsome, very single boss. The warning Rossi issued was at the tip of my mind and it was already a task trying to stay focused around him.
“It’s not that.”
“If it’s your man, tell him he ain’t got nothing to worry about,” he beseeched.
“No man,” I articulated painfully.
“So, what is it then?”
“It’s nothing. Let me get with Mrs. Jessie and I’ll let you know.”
“That’s fine by me.”
“Who are these investors that you have in mind?”
“A few friends of mine.”
“And how sure are you that they’ll say yes?”
“Oh, I’m not sure,” Law chortled. “However, they’re men and what man you know can turn down a beautiful woman?”
My cheeks flushed with heat. This man is not flirting with me. I refuse to believe it. “Lawton Harvey!” I shrieked. “Are you trying to pimp me out?”
“Not one bit. I’m joking with you. You should’ve saw your face.” He shook his head and laughed. “Being serious though. In my line of work, when you need something done you reach out to a friend. They come through and on the back end when they need something from you, in return you come through.”
“So, it’s kind of like bartering.”
“That’s exactly what it is. I have a few friends that owe me a few favors. It’s time to cash in on those favors.”
“Well in that case, I hope said friends come through because I don’t have any friends. I don’t know anyone willing to give up that type of money.”
“Why don’t you have friends?”
“Are we getting personal now, Mr. Harvey?”
“You put it out there. I’m just reeling it in.”
Dropping my chin to my chest, I opened and closed my eyes a few times before dragging my face back up. “I haven’t had the easiest life. My responsibilities took precedent over any friendship I’d ever had.”
“Your responsibility as in taking care of your grandmother.”
“Precisely. In the beginning it was school and home. Now it’s work and home. It’s been that way for years. Kind of hard to make and maintain friends when I’m busy making sure my grandmother is cared for.”
“You do know life waits for no one,” Law deduced.
“So I’ve been told…”
“I admire you for stepping up and caring for your Gema. But who’s taking care of you?”
“No one.” I shrugged. “I do the best that I can with the hand I’ve been given. I’m too busy caring for her to even consider someone doing the same for me.”
“That’s no way to live.”
“Been told that too.”
“How old are you?”
“You mean to tell me that you hired me and don’t know my age.”
“Age wasn’t a factor. Your ability to do the job was.”
In light of changing the subject, I folded my hands behind my head. “My abilities got me the job. Let’s hope my ideas keep me employed.”
“You’re deflecting. I have no reason to terminate your employment, Ms. Howard.”
Something about the way he said my last name had me staring at him through the slits of my eyes.
He was goading me, and I wouldn’t fall for it.
Me telling him about Gema was as personal as I was willing to get.
Me not having friends or any other entity about my private life wasn’t up for discussion.
“I promise I’m not deflecting. I know where that conversation could lead and it’s not one I’m willing to have. Don’t take it personal, Law. I don’t have it with anyone. I made a choice a long time ago and I fully plan on seeing it through.”
“That’s amicable and I respect it,” he backtracked. “I guess we’ve handled enough business for the day. We can call it quits and reconvene in the morning.”
“Same time,” I commented.
“Same time. I’ll have breakfast delivered for us. Don’t forget to see if you can get your Gema’s nurse to stay with her overnight. A friend of mine is hosting a gala and this would be the perfect weekend to secure some funds.”
“I will let you know my definitive answer by the morning,” I assured him.
Law and I packed our things, and after the building was shut down and locked up for the evening, he walked me to my car. Once I was settled, I pulled away from the building.
Since Gema would be back tomorrow, I would ask Mrs. Jessie about spending the weekend with her. I really hope Law’s planned worked. If not, all of this would have been for nothing.