Lauren put a baking sheet in the oven with the cauliflower, and set the pan on the stove to simmer. She picked up her wine glass and leaned on the counter across from him.
“It’s probably nothing. Someone made a mistake, or missed something.”
“But you’re worried about it?”
Lauren nodded reluctantly.
“Then it’s not nothing,” Hakim said firmly.
She took a drink from her glass, then said. “Kayla said there was something ‘wonky’ with the books. Our numbers are off, but there’s no clear reason why.”
Hakim nodded, thinking. “You’re going to have someone outside the company take a look at them to confirm?”
“Yes,” Lauren said. Just hearing her thinking coming from someone else made her feel a sense of relief. “We’ve got an accountant that both Kayla and I trust, so we’re asking him to do an independent audit.”
“Good. That’s the right thing to do.” He sounded so certain that Lauren relaxed a little bit.
“Is there anything else I can do right now?” she asked earnestly. “I can’t fix things until I know what the problem is, but I hate to just let it go while Greg does the audit.”
“Kayla is looking through things, too?” At Lauren’s nod, he continued. “You can dig through the books yourself, but that may not be the best use of your time.”
“I thought I might go over some contingency plans, play out a few scenarios. It’s still probably nothing more than a simple error, but if it’s something worse, I want to be ready.”
“Good plan. Do what you can, don’t worry about the rest until you know more.”
Lauren took another sip of wine, and then wrinkled her nose at him. “Thank you. I’ve been fretting over this all afternoon. I appreciate your advice, especially since, you know…”
Hakim laughed. “Since I bought you at an auction and declared my plan to take down your mother? No problem. I’m glad I could help.”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “Thank you.”
Still laughing, Hakim said, “Not to poke at the situation, but why didn’t you call your mom as soon as you found out there was a problem?”
Lauren shrugged and winced a little. “I’d rather not have to call my mommy when I have a business issue. I’m supposed to be smart and independent.”
“I can understand that.”
Lauren suddenly felt like she had to defend her mother. “I do ask for her advice, though. She is the best in the business, after all.”
Hakim gave her a pointed look. “Thanks.”
“It is what it is. You may be good, but she’s been doing this a long time.”
“Fair enough,” he laughed again.
Lauren checked on dinner, still smiling at how easy it was talk with Hakim. When she’d tested things and decided they had five more minutes, she turned back to him.
“You said the baby is your sister’s first child?”
Hakim nodded. “And in addition to being thrilled for her and my brother-in-law, I’m delighted because it takes a tiny bit of the pressure off of me.”
“Oh, yes. Now your parents have a grandchild, so they’re happy,” Lauren toasted him with her wine glass.
“I give it, two, maybe three weeks before they start asking me again when I’m starting a family.”
Lauren laughed. “At least that’s one thing I don’t have to worry about with Patricia. She’d rather see me spend all my time at the company.”
“Wanna trade parents?”
Lauren almost spit out her wine laughing at that remark. “Oh, yes, let’s. That would go over so well.”
“I know my parents want the best for me. It’s just that their expectations contradict each other. I’m supposed to be a successful businessman, but also have time for a family and to fly back and forth to see them all the time.”
“It’s a lot, isn’t it? Sometimes I wonder how I manage to get through the day without falling flat on my face. I can’t imagine adding a spouse and kids to the picture.”
“You don’t want a family?” Hakim asked.
“Yeah, of course I do. One day. Maybe even one day soon. But first, I should probably find time to date.”
Hakim gave her a sly look. “I don’t know. You could just auction yourself off.”
“Very funny.”
The oven timer buzzed, and Lauren raised an eyebrow at Hakim. “How about setting the table, oh my master?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Hakim grabbed plates and flatware and took them into the dining room.
Lauren turned off the oven and the stove burner, and put the food into serving dishes. She found spoons and stuck them into the side of the dishes, then carried everything into the dining room, where Hakim had turned on some music. He poured them both another glass of wine as Lauren set the dishes on the table.