by Zuri Day
“Not lately. Been too busy.”
“You’re too yummy for me to get leftovers. I’m not sure I could go the casual route.”
“You’re the only one on my mind right now. Let’s hang out and see what happens.”
“I can do that. But let’s keep what we’re sharing just between us.”
Cayden frowned. “Who are we hiding from?”
“You’re no longer my client but I still want to be careful. If the good times continue and things get serious, then we can tell the world.”
Cayden placed a strong arm around her shoulders and whispered, “As long as we’re together, I’ll keep my big mouth shut.”
Avery chuckled and nestled against him, already anticipating their next good time.
On Monday, she was still smiling. Rather than being exhausted from the whirlwind trip, her whole body hummed with contentment and felt revitalized. The pale yellow suit she chose matched her sunny mood. Her mind was so consumed with thoughts of Cayden she barely remembered the drive from Chicago to the Point. After stopping at the coffee shop, she floated into the office. The receptionist wasn’t at the desk. Charlotte hadn’t arrived, either. Avery was surprised to see that Maggie had beat her into work. She placed down her purse and continued on to her boss’s office.
“Good morning, Maggie!”
“Good morning.”
Avery thought she detected a bit of attitude, but then again, Maggie hadn’t been sexed all weekend to within an inch of her life.
“You’re here early.”
Maggie replied without looking up. “I am.”
Okay, there was definitely some ’tude floating around. “Is everything okay?”
“Unfortunately, no.” Maggie sighed and put down the report she’d been reading. “Have a seat, Avery. We need to talk.”
Avery sat in one of two chairs in front of Maggie’s desk. “What about?”
“About you and Cayden Barker.”
Avery almost dropped her caramel latte. Had Maggie somehow found out about the trip? Or worse, the storeroom? Until she knew what Maggie knew, Avery played dumb.
“Me and Cayden?”
“Word has it that while handling his golf tournament, you became a bit more than his planner.”
“Oh, really.” Later, Avery would compliment herself at the show of indignance. “And just who brought you this word?”
“Are you saying it’s not true? That your interaction with him was at all times strictly professional?”
“Absolutely.”
Maggie’s eyes narrowed. “Someone saw the two of you in exchanges that looked too emotional to be about work. You were both also seen leaving the ballroom and coming here, to the executive offices.”
“Everything that happened that weekend was related to work.”
“Even what took place in one of the empty offices?”
The question raised Avery’s back off the chair. She inwardly flinched as her mind raced with questions of her own. Who saw? Who told? Were there cameras? That day was seared into memory—the faces of who she encountered from the time she arrived at work Friday morning until dragging home after the banquet and dance that night. Vanessa. Charlotte. Chef Lamar. Those were the first faces that came to mind. But there were others. Teagan. Brittany. Had they greased a club employee’s palm and loosened their tongue? Avery’s heart sank.
“Well?” When Avery didn’t respond, Maggie continued. “The rules clearly state that there is no associating with Point Country Club clients outside of a professional capacity. I emphasized that point during our interview.”
Avery knew she should say something. Her mind and mouth all of a sudden seemed to be keeping different hours.
“You know, Avery—”
“It was offered as a kind gesture. I should not have accepted. Cayden—”
Maggie’s brow raised.
“Mr. Barker knew I’d been working hard. He thought I needed to eat and set it up...”
What happened in itself was problematic. Saying the words out loud sounded twice as bad.
“I shouldn’t have humored him by having lunch. He was—is—a valuable client bringing some of the most important people in the world to our club for the weekend. You stressed what an exceptional opportunity it was to have members of SOMA here. I made an exception.”
Every word Avery had spoken was true. She held Maggie’s gaze.
Maggie shook her head as she reached for a pen. “You had an incredibly bad lapse in judgment, Avery. I get your reasoning. SOMA’s huge. It was only lunch. If it were only up to me, given the circumstances, I may have made the same call. But it’s not just me—the board’s rules are very clear and you’re on probation. I’ll have to report this.”
“I understand.”
“Until they’ve responded, I’m sorry but I’ll have to put you on unpaid administrative leave. Please gather your personal items and turn in your keys.”
Fifteen minutes later, a numb Avery carried a small box to the trunk of her car, got in and pulled out of the lot. Thinking of Cayden, she tapped the phone icon. Her call went to voice mail.
Getting my dream man may cost me my dream job. All the way home, she pondered the irony.
Nineteen
Cayden worked to remain calm as he sat in the plush New York executive offices of Elite Bank and Trust, a privately owned institution with dozens of branches along the east coast. His sales staff had done wonders in getting the AI Interface software placed in the top ten office and computer stores throughout the country. If he enjoyed even a fraction of the unparalleled success that was possible, in the span of five years he’d be a billionaire. It was a rare moment when both his personal and professional life was going gangbusters. Maybe a first. Which reminded him to return Avery’s call. She’d phoned last night just as he’d arrived at a restaurant to have dinner with a group of SOMA members in the banking industry that he’d met during the golf tournament. He pulled out his phone to send her a text and realized she’d called again.
“Mr. Barker?” He looked up. An attractive, impeccably dressed older woman walked toward him.
He stood. “Yes?”
“Mr. Broadeaux will see you now.”
Cayden dashed off a quick Call you later text to Avery while following the woman from the lobby to the grand corner offices of Oliver Broadeaux, located on the building’s fifty-seventh floor.
“May I get you something to drink?” she asked. “Coffee, tea, soda, water...”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
She opened a set of double doors. A short entryway with an antique-looking table holding a bouquet of fresh cut flowers flowed into an L-shaped room where natural light flowed from windows on three sides.
“Mr. Broadeaux,” his assistant announced with what Cayden felt was unnecessary pomp and circumstance, “I present Mr. Barker.”
Oliver Broadeaux was a balding man of average height and giant personality, a beer gut testing the limits of the black suit coat he wore and the white shirt beneath it. He stood and came from behind his desk. Everything about him and the room reeked with an odor of understated wealth.
“Providing the highest quality service and information available for your client has never been easier than with this software,” Cayden segued after brief pleasantries. “Once it catches on, the financial services industries will never be the same.”
Two hours and a catered lunch later, Cayden left the building a happy man. There was still paperwork to process and numbers to crunch but Oliver had signed on to have AI Interface installed on every computer in every Elite Bank from New York to Florida. Even more, he’d promised to put in a good word to a friend and golfing buddy whose family owned the largest bank chain in the United States. Achieving that billionaire status was looking more achievable by the minute. He couldn’t wait to share the good news. Aft
er texting his location to the car service, he pulled out his phone and redialed Avery.
“Hey, babe. Sorry about just now getting back with you. I had to fly to New York for back-to-back meetings. It’s been crazy but I’ve got great news!”
A second and then, “What’s that?”
Cayden’s brow creased. She’d gone for chipper, but he heard stressed.
“Wait. Is everything okay? Are you all right?”
“We can talk about me later. What’s your good news?” She did a better job that time.
“I landed the first major client for AI Interface.”
“Cayden, that’s great. Who is it?”
“Elite Bank and Trust, one of the largest private banks on the east coast.”
“I believe I’ve seen them. Do they have a branch in Orlando?”
“They have about thirty branches throughout that state alone. Next year they’re expanding into the Midwest, with my software on every manager’s computer in every branch.”
“I’m really happy for you, Cayden. And proud of you, too.”
“Enough about me and these millions and billions I’m about to make. What’s going on that has you trying your best to sound happy when you’re really not?”
“Maggie found out about what happened in the storeroom. I’ve been put on unpaid administrative leave.”
Cayden stopped moving. Sound faded away.
“Cayden?”
“I don’t want to say that I heard you, but I think I did.” His car pulled to the curb. He got in. “How?” And then another thought that almost stopped Cayden’s heart. “Were there cameras?”
“I thought that, too, and almost died. But I asked maintenance and thankfully no, there are no cameras in that room.”
“Then how did she find out?”
“Someone who saw us together reported it.”
“And she fired you?”
“The rules forced her to put me on leave until the board meets. Being with a client outside of a professional capacity is not allowed.”
“Damn.” Cayden watched the Manhattan hustle bustle as the car stutter-stepped down Park Avenue. “Whatever you’re going to do, whatever you need, I’m here for you, okay?”
“I’m still too stunned to do anything.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ve got this. Hey, since you’re not at the club right now, do we still have to be on the DL?”
“Totally. If the universe is granting miracles, I might get to keep my job. If not, the gossip mills will swing wide open with all eyes on me. They’re probably cracked already.”
“Then come up with where you want me to take you this weekend. Just text the city. I’ll handle everything else.”
Cayden ended the call; the need to protect Avery he’d felt almost from the moment they met grew stronger than ever. He no longer had to decide whether or not he wanted a serious relationship. He realized he was in one.
Twenty
The universe must have been fresh out of miracles. The board met. She was officially terminated. Yet here, a month later, Avery caught herself humming. When did I start doing that? Didn’t matter when it started. She knew the reason why—Cayden. He’s why she could hum and smile after being fired from her dream job, turning down positions that did not fit her goals and having her résumé rejected from several businesses she may have considered. Thankfully, a wise portfolio and prudent financial planning had put her in a position to be selective in her choice. The time off had given her an opportunity to invest quality time in a relationship. This had been a learning experience for both of them, about each other and themselves. They spent most of their time outside Point du Sable, with Cayden often chartering planes for quick jaunts to nearby Kansas City, Atlanta, Memphis and Detroit. They spent almost a week in New York—Cayden handing Avery his black card for her to get “whatever” while, after finalizing the AI Interface deal, he held a two-day training session with more than a dozen of Elite Bank and Trust’s regional managers. Together they took in a private art exhibit in Tribeca, fabulous dinners, a performance of the Harlem Repertory Theatre. But mostly once his business was done, the two handled business of their own. Alone. Naked. On fire. Cayden had pulled out Avery’s inner freak!
The memories alone warmed her body as she placed two bags of groceries in the trunk and got in her car for the short drive to Lisa’s house. She’d just secured her seat belt when there was a tap on her window. She turned, sighed and pressed a button.
“Brittany.”
“So you do remember me.”
“I meant to call. I’ve been busy.”
“So I’ve heard.”
This got Avery’s attention. Brittany had grown up in Point du Sable, knew almost everybody. Had she somehow learned what happened and put the fraternizing bug in Maggie’s ear?
She crossed her arms. “What exactly have you heard, Brittany?”
“That you’re working at the country club, of course. But from your reaction, you imagined something else.”
Avery’s eyes narrowed. “You knew I worked there.”
“I thought you’d been contracted. It wasn’t until running into Bruce a week or so later that I learned otherwise.”
Bruce. Cayden’s friend from Northwestern. Teagan’s date. This revelation provided more questions than answers and didn’t narrow Avery’s whodunit list one bit.
“That’s a very prestigious position, Avery. Congratulations.”
Brittany sounded sincere but could no longer be trusted; that Avery was fired, moot. “Thank you.”
“I ran into Lisa the other day. She probably told you. I could tell from her reaction that how I fled the scene without a word hurt her as much as it did you.”
Speaking of Lisa... “That was a long time ago,” Avery answered, starting the car. “We’ve all moved on.”
Brittany placed a hand on the car door. “I don’t know if you heard but my marriage is over. I’m not sure if my move back is permanent but, while here, I could sure use a friend.”
“Take care of yourself, Brittany.” Avery put the car in gear. “I’ve got to go.”
During the short drive from the grocery store to Lisa’s house, Avery thought about her friendship with Brittany. How she’d been so ready to help the older girl expose Cayden’s illicit activities—confident that it was the right thing to do. But was it? Had he been vindicated because of his Eddington connection, as Avery had believed, or because of his innocence, as Lisa had claimed? Avery knew this was something she had to find out...and soon.
* * *
She didn’t see much of Cayden for the next two weeks. Most of his time was spent in New York. Avery set up a website and planned for the clients she’d already booked—a bachelorette party and a woman celebrating the big five-o. Both were in December, with holiday themes. When Cayden invited her to meet him on Friday, at what sounded like a quaint cabin in the midst of a forest, she actually got goose bumps. Cayden said he was excited, too. The time spent apart gave them time to miss each other. Plus, she’d finally get to ask him about those embezzlement charges and why they were dropped.
They spent that Friday night and most of Saturday in bed. That afternoon, they channeled their inner B. Smith and tackled a dinner that included a blueberry cake. The dinner digestif, a Drake Wines pecan and vanilla-flavored liqueur that Donald had sent him, was enjoyed during a bubble bath in a high-tech spa tub with built-in sound, colored lights and silent jets.
“Let me taste it,” Cayden said, making lazy eights across Avery’s stomach and easing farther down.
She snuggled against his soapy chest. “You’re drinking the same thing.”
“I want to taste it on your lips.”
He did, for about five minutes.
“I didn’t know whether or not I’d like this,” Avery cooed, spreading her legs to give Cayden easier access
. “But you’ve made me a believer.”
Much later, they lay in bed completely satisfied. Cayden lazily stroked Avery’s hair as they stared out of the glass ceiling above the floating mattress.
“I have an idea.”
“Hmm.”
“The chamber of commerce is giving me some type of award for the AI Interface invention and the Society’s ongoing contribution to fighting and preventing cancer. Come to the dinner with me.”
“Really, Cayden? Congratulations!”
“So you’ll come?”
“Sure, why not?”
Cayden turned on his side and pulled Avery against him. “You’re starting to grow on me, you know that?”
“I do now.”
Cayden slid his tongue in her mouth and a finger down the crevice of her backside. His ardent lovemaking made her forget all about the embezzlement question, and everything else.
* * *
That Saturday evening, Avery pulled into the drive of the Point Country Club behind a line of limos and luxury cars. The initial plan had been for her to meet Cayden at his house but a busted pipe in the condo above hers leaked water into her unit, requiring a plumber and delaying her plans. She’d phoned Cayden, explained what happened and said she’d meet him there.
It was her first time on the club grounds since being terminated. Almost immediately, she ran into Maggie, who seemed genuinely glad to see her. Cayden was standing with a group of guys, looking GQ in a steel-gray tuxedo. He broke away as soon as he saw her and walked over. The hug was brief, his body rigid.
“Are you all right?”
“Better now.” He reached for her hand and managed a smile. “Come on. There’s some people I want you to meet.”
He placed her arm in his and walked back over to the group of men. Three were Eddingtons—Derrick, Dwight and Jake. The other was Bob Masters, who she remembered from Cayden’s fundraiser. The subdued gentleman before her was nothing like the gregarious man she’d met that night. Did Bob have something to do with Cayden’s tense demeanor?
