Never Let Me Go

by Kianna Alexander

  Yvonne could only stare in disbelief. Just like that, Janine had broken through her father’s ire. Impressive. She’s definitely a keeper.

  “Now since that’s settled, Marissa, what you got cooking over there?”

  “Brunswick stew for dinner.”

  He chuckled. “Sounds great. Now, how about some breakfast? I’m starved.”

  She shook her head as she walked over and planted a soft kiss on her husband’s forehead. “Eggs and bacon, coming right up.”

  “Bacon bacon?”

  She tossed the answer over her shoulder as she walked back to the stove. “Turkey bacon, Gordon. Remember we’re minding our health here.”

  He twisted his lips into a mock pout.

  His wife ignored him, instead asking her daughters, “Do you two want something to eat while I’m cooking?”

  “I’ve already eaten.” Zelda stood and stretched.

  “Me, too. Stopped off on the way over here.” Yvonne gestured for her sister. “Zelda, let’s chat in the living room for a minute.”

  Once they were on the old tan couch, safely out of Janine’s and their parents’ earshot, Zelda asked, “What’s up?”

  “Plenty.” Yvonne kept her eyes on the kitchen doorway in case her mother should appear there. “I’ve moved in with Maxwell.”

  Zelda’s eyes bulged. “Wow, Sis. You work fast.”

  Yvonne shook her head, knowing exactly where her sister’s mind had gone. “Let me rephrase. I’m living in with Maxwell, Monday through Friday, because it’s a more convenient arrangement for him and the baby.”

  Zelda tossed one jean-clad leg over the other. “I’m assuming this new arrangement is the reason you decided to hire a nurse for Mommy and Daddy?”

  Yvonne nodded. “I didn’t want you to have to take so much time off of work.”

  “Isn’t it expensive to have someone with them all week?”

  “You bet. Luckily, Maxwell is paying for it.”

  Zelda’s eyes grew even wider. “Geez, Von, how’d you get him to foot the bill for that?”

  “It was a lot easier than you think. He offered me a raise, and I elected to have him pay for Mommy and Daddy’s care instead. He agreed to it right away.”

  “This new gig of yours just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter.” Zelda blew out a breath, leaning back against the sofa’s cushions. “Wait. Why’d you bring me in here to tell me this? Do you not want Mommy and Daddy to know?”

  Yvonne shook her head. “I’d rather they didn’t, at least for now. So don’t tell them, please.”

  Zelda raised her hand, placing it over her heart. “I promise, I won’t spill the beans.”

  “Good. I’m in no mood to sit through a lecture.”

  “I don’t blame you.” Zelda stifled a yawn. “Who’d want to listen to them drone on about what’s proper? We’re both grown-ups now, but sometimes, I swear they forget that.”

  Yvonne thought back on her midtwenties when she’d decided to move in with her then-boyfriend. Her parents had hit her with a lecture tag team, going on for over a half hour about how it wasn’t right to live with a man out of wedlock and how even if they weren’t sharing a bed, it simply wouldn’t “look right” for her to cohabitate. “I guess I’ll have to tell them eventually, but I’d like to put it off as long as possible.”

  Zelda tapped her chin with the long, sharp purple nail of her index finger. “I wonder if they would classify this as living with a man out of wedlock. Does it count if you’re doing it for your job?”

  Yvonne shrugged. “I don’t know. But I’d rather assume they will and just keep it to myself for now.”

  “I feel you. Be honest, though. Don’t you think living in with him is going to make it harder to hide the fact that you’re attracted to him?”

  Yvonne let her head drop back, her gaze on the popcorn ceiling above. “Definitely. That’s why I’m not.”

  Frowning, Zelda asked, “You’re not what?”

  Yvonne drew a deep breath, knowing once she said these words to her sister, there would be no taking them back. “I’m not hiding my attraction, and neither is he. We’re just going to take things slowly and let them develop naturally.”

  “Oooh!” Zelda clapped her hands together, bouncing up and down on the sofa cushion. “I knew it, I knew it! I could see this coming a mile away.”

  “See, that’s why I don’t tell you things. You’re so dang excitable.”

  Zelda giggled. “So just how far have things gone between you two?”

  Yvonne didn’t say anything, but she puckered her lips.

  “You kissed him?”

  Yvonne rolled her eyes. “Damn, Zelda. Keep it down.”

  “Kissed who?” Their father ambled into the room, aided by his cane.

  Yvonne felt her eyes go wide. Oh crap.

  His face folded into a frown. “Von, I know you’re not talking about your boss.”

  She kept her mouth closed. There’s nothing I can say that won’t sound disrespectful.

  “Yvonne Clair Markham. I just asked you a question, and you had better answer me.” Leaning on the cane, he fixed her with a censuring fatherly stare.

  Chapter 11

  Maxwell straightened his tie as he walked toward the door of the Hay Street Municipal Building on Tuesday morning. It was just past ten, and he’d been asked to meet with the mayor at ten thirty. The early March day, warm and sunny, mirrored his mood and provided a welcome change from the weeks of cold dreariness that had preceded it.

  The Crown Center job is in the bag. He smiled as he recalled the phone call he’d received an hour ago from the mayor’s office. While the mayor’s assistant hadn’t revealed much, he couldn’t imagine any other reason he’d be asked to come here.

  The interior of the building buzzed with activity. A good number of people were inside the lobby, some standing as they held conversations and others simply moving through the space as they went about their business. The cacophony of sounds echoed off the gray marble floors and the aged wood paneling on the walls.

  He stopped briefly at reception to alert the mayor to his presence. Once he’d been told where to go, he went down the hall to the elevator.

  When he reached Conference Room A, he raised his hand and rapped on the partially closed door. “Good morning. Maxwell Devers here.”

  A moment later, the door swung fully open.

  On the other side stood the smug-faced Harold Carmichael.

  Maxwell kept his expression neutral. “Good morning, Harold.”

  “Devers.” Harold didn’t move aside to allow room for him to enter.

  Maxwell scratched his chin. “I have a meeting here with the mayor in a few minutes, so if you could step aside, that would be great.”

  Harold scoffed. “Well, it looks like Madame Mayor’s double booked, then, because I’ve got a meeting with her as well. Same place, same time.”

  Maxwell felt his brow furrow. Why in the world would she be meeting with both of us? Maybe his celebratory mood had been premature, and the city had only narrowed down the candidates for the project as opposed to awarding it. “Whatever the case, please move so I can come in.”

  Finally, Harold stepped back. A few minutes later, they were sitting opposite each other, with Harold on the left side of the table and Maxwell on the right, facing the door.

  From his vantage point, Maxwell saw Mayor Taylor the moment she walked in. He stood as she entered the room.

  Harold, who’d spent the last few minutes looking as if he had better things to do, perked up at the mayor’s entrance. He didn’t stand however, at least not until after he watched Maxwell do it.

  Once greetings had been exchanged, Mayor Taylor sat down at the head of the table. “Mr. Devers, Mr. Carmichael, thanks for coming in this morning on such short notice. We’re in a bit of a time crunch
on this project, so we need to move forward with awarding the project.”

  “If you don’t mind my asking, what’s the reason for the change in the timeline?” Maxwell posed the question, careful to keep his tone professional. As a designer, it helped him to know all the details involved in a project, no matter how minute. He wanted his designs to serve the project on every level.

  “It’s no problem, Mr. Devers. The city’s tourism and hospitality bureau has been working hard to get the word out about the updates to the Crown, and we’ve been inundated with requests from performers and groups who want to book events.” She smiled, clasping her hands in front of her. “If we can get this job done right and in a timely manner, it could potentially add a great deal of money to the city’s coffers.”

  Maxwell nodded. “Thanks for the explanation.” Though he lived outside the city, he worked there, and he could see many places and good causes where that extra money could be put to good use. Streets needed repair, and certain areas of the city were affected by poverty and blight. With extra funding, Maxwell could see many good things happening to the All-America City Award winner.

  “I have a question as well.” Harold raised his hand like a child seeking acknowledgment from his teacher. “Has a decision been made as to which architect will be awarded the project?”

  “Actually, yes. That’s why I’ve asked you two here.” Her gaze shifted back and forth between their faces.

  Maxwell tilted his head, waiting for whatever the mayor would say next.

  “We’ve decided to ask the two of you to work together on this project.”

  Maxwell’s stomach dropped, but he didn’t let it show. Over the years he’d been working in the business, he’d trained himself to maintain his cool exterior, despite whatever he might be thinking or feeling on the inside. The idea of working with Harold was distasteful at best, but he wouldn’t let anything stop him from completing the project to the best of his ability.

  Harold’s tight-lipped frown indicated he wasn’t thrilled with the arrangement, either.

  Mayor Taylor continued. “Your two designs were, by far, the best among the ones submitted during the bidding process. Mr. Devers, the council loved your plans for the building itself, and Mr. Carmichael, we found your plans for the exterior spaces to be quite inspired.”

  Maxwell and Harold looked at each other, and Maxwell swore Harold’s lips got even tighter.

  “We think the combination of your two designs gives us the absolute best solution for everything we’re trying to accomplish with this update. That’s why we’re asking you to work together.” She paused, watching them intently for a moment. “Gentlemen, you’ve been awfully quiet.”

  “I’m just listening to what you’re saying, Mayor Taylor.” Maxwell met her gaze.

  Harold, on the other hand, looked away, saying nothing.

  Her brow lifted. “Mr. Carmichael, are you going to have a problem working with Mr. Devers? Because if so, we’ll be happy to move on to the next design on the list.”

  Harold sobered up then, shaking his head. “No, ma’am, that won’t be necessary. I’m sure Mr. Devers and I will do fine work together.” Based on the way his lips thinned even further and stretched into the fakest of smiles, he looked as if it physically hurt to say the last sentence.

  She swung her attention Maxwell’s way. “And will this work for you, Mr. Devers?”

  “Sounds fine. Mr. Carmichael is a capable architect. I’m sure we’ll be able to handle it.”

  Maxwell noted the change in Harold’s expression at the compliment; the other man looked as if he’d swallowed a goldfish.

  Despite his misgivings about working with a man who’d taken every opportunity to insult or annoy him, Maxwell wasn’t going to let that interfere with his work. They were grown men after all. Why couldn’t they work together? Both their businesses would see significant financial and marketing benefits from the successful completion of the job.

  “Great.” Mayor Taylor appeared pleased. Opening the leather case she’d brought in with her, she slid them each a small stack of stapled pages. “Here are the official contracts. Take some time to look them over, then sign them. You can turn them in downstairs in Suite B when you’re done.” She pushed her chair back and stood, brushing a manicured hand over the jacket of her navy skirt suit.

  Both men stood as well.

  “I wish I could stay and chat, gentlemen, but I’ve got back-to-back meetings all day. I’ll be in touch with you in about a week as the project kicks off.” With a smile and a wave, she exited, leaving the two men sitting across from each other.

  Silence reigned for a few moments, punctuated by the sounds of them flipping through the pages of the contract. Maxwell didn’t see anything out of order, so he signed the final page of the document with the pen he kept in the pocket of his suit coat.

  As he tucked the pen away, he heard Harold clear his throat. “Don’t think I can’t see through that act, Devers.”

  Maxwell looked across the table, meeting his gaze. “I’m not an actor, Harold. I’m an architect.”

  Harold scoffed. “Whatever, man. I know you were only trying to butter up the mayor when you gave me that compliment.”

  Maxwell shrugged. “I meant what I said. You are a capable architect.” Not as capable as me, but that’s beside the point. “We have a job to do, Harold, and like it or not, we have to work together.”

  Harold’s eyes narrowed as he watched Maxwell. “I don’t trust you, Devers. And you should know that just because my team is working on exteriors, that doesn’t mean you’re in charge of me.”

  “Of course not. We’re on equal footing as far as I’m concerned.” What would be the point of a power struggle between them? Maxwell’s building design had already won over the city council, so there really wasn’t any need for theatrics.

  That only seemed to annoy Harold more. Scrawling a hasty signature on his contract, he snatched it off the table as he stood. “This is going to be the best exterior landscaping this city has ever seen. It will be so magnificent, it may even overshadow your building design.”

  Maxwell got up then, keeping his eyes fixed on his new partner. “I don’t doubt it. I’m sure the mayor expects both of us to do our very best work. So bring it.” He didn’t bother keeping the challenge out of his tone. If that was what it would take to get Harold to deliver a stellar exterior design for this project, so be it.

  With a huff, Harold straightened his tie and strode from the room.

  Left alone, Maxwell considered all that had transpired. When he was younger, he might have taken the bait Harold had laid for him and dished out the same level of disdain he’d been served. Now, though, he couldn’t be bothered with frivolity. He had a beautiful baby girl waiting for him at home.

  A smile crossed his face as he pictured those big, beautiful eyes welcoming him home. Though Sasha hadn’t been in his life very long, she’d opened up a place in his heart he hadn’t even known existed, bringing light to the dark corners hidden within. It amazed him how much he’d grown to love his daughter over the course of her short life, and if he were honest, it also gave him pause. How would he ever be able to let her go out with friends, or worse, on dates?

  Pushing that thought aside, he let the image of Yvonne’s smiling face enter his mind. She’d become just as much a part of his life as Sasha, and he looked forward to her greeting as well. Since he’d shared that sweet kiss with her and they’d agreed to explore a relationship, he’d felt a sense of contentment he’d never experienced before.

  Turning toward the door, he made his way downstairs to turn in his contract.

  The sooner I’m done with work, the sooner I can get home to my girls.

  * * *

  Yvonne inhaled deeply as she stepped outside Maxwell’s house Wednesday. It was midmorning, and the air was finally warm enough to take Sasha out for a
walk. After spending the last couple of weeks inside the house, she was glad that the weather had finally warmed.

  She squatted in front of the stroller, checking one more time to ensure that Sasha was securely buckled into the harness. “Ready to go, sweetie?”

  A series of giggles left Sasha’s mouth as she bounced up and down in her seat.

  Gripping the handles of the stroller, Yvonne smiled as she turned it around and guided it down the steps and onto the paved path. Just getting to the end of the driveway would constitute quite a walk, but she was determined to let the baby get some fresh air.

  Once they’d left Maxwell’s property, Yvonne headed to the left, moving deeper into the neighborhood. It would be nice to take Sasha to a playground, but I wonder if a ritzy place like this even has one. The huge homes she passed, with their manicured lawns, winding driveways, and iron gates, resembled castles. Having grown up in southern Durham, she would never have imagined even being close to such immaculate houses.

  She didn’t see many people out, and she assumed it was because they were at work, at whatever well-paying jobs allowed them to afford to live here. She did pass a few gardeners sculpting topiaries in one yard as well as a maintenance worker painting an address on the curb in front of another house.

  A portion of her walk passed in near silence, with only the sounds of birds singing and Sasha’s continuous stream of babble to punctuate the quiet. While she walked, she thought back on her days as a kid growing up in Southside. Shootings were common, as were the sounds of sirens or people arguing in the streets late at night. Her parents were adamant about always having her in their field of vision when she played outside, and they were sticklers for making sure all the doors were double deadbolted at night. She remembered the low-level nervousness she’d felt for the entire time they’d lived in that tiny duplex apartment and how relieved she’d been when they’d moved to the house on the east side of town. That little house, where her parents still lived, had been a fixer-upper in every sense of the word. But it had been theirs, and her parents took pride in restoring it to its former glory. Their father, Gordon, had done most of the repairs with his own two hands. Zelda had been born a few months after they moved in, and Yvonne had learned how much she enjoyed taking care of others as she helped her parents guide her little sister through those early milestones.