She donated a good portion of her salary to charities, but only to the ones that she believed in. There were other agents who donated to the charities that they thought would have the best fundraising events. Better client meet-and-greets, they said.
“What’s going on tonight?” she asked Laura, a veteran of the real estate business and a good friend. She had three kids and five grandkids scattered around the country. Laura used to be a big player in the industry. But now she spent most of her time traveling and visiting her grandkids with her husband, who had retired five years ago.
“Nothing,” Laura scoffed. “Although, I’ve heard several rumors about you, my dear. Do tell!”
Naya ignored the jibe, suspecting that her friend was referring to the seminar earlier this week in which a very wealthy, very handsome construction tycoon had given her unwarranted attention. Preferring to misunderstand the question, she kept the conversation on business. “I haven’t had any big deals happen this week. Very frustrating,” she said and ordered a spritzed water with a lime wedge, mentally patting herself on the back. She needed something in her hands, but didn’t want the wine. Wine lowered one’s inhibitions, she reminded herself. All inhibitions needed to be high and strong tonight!
They talked about the various houses that were on the market currently, but Laura eventually got pulled into a conversation with another group.
“Naya Jefferson?” a female voice called out from behind her.
Naya turned, not recognizing the voice initially. But when she spotted the vivacious brunette, her polite smile turned to genuine happiness. “Marcy! It’s great to see you again! How are you doing?”
Marcy attended her gym and they’d started talking this week over cups of herbal tea and had done a good job at lunch the other day, both ladies ordering salads. The lovely, energetic woman was trying to get her figure back after having a baby, but Naya thought she looked fabulous already.
Marcy smoothed a hand down over her stomach and Naya understood the self-conscious gesture, having done it herself many times over the years. “My husband dragged me out tonight. He said I was hibernating and I guess he’s right. All I’ve done is go to the gym and yoga class.”
“And spending time with that adorable little boy?” Naya teased. Marcy had dozens of pictures of her infant son on her phone. And he really was cute, with dark hair and an adorable grin.
The woman’s smile brightened and a yearning look came into her eyes. “Yeah,” she sighed with happiness. “Hey! You should come meet my husband! He’s just over here with his brothers.”
Naya smiled back. “I’d love to meet your husband. I’ve heard so much about him, I’m not sure I can believe all the stories about this god you’re married to.”
Marcy laughed. “Oh, don’t you dare tell him that I brag about him. He’s obnoxious enough as it is.”
They were already walking towards a group of men in tuxedos with a couple of women mixed in as well. As they approached, Naya suddenly had a bad feeling. This wasn’t…no! Impossible! She’d been to dozens of these charity events over the years and she’d never seen…it couldn’t be…Oh please don’t let the man standing there with broad shoulders and black hair be Luke! She’d been ignoring his phone calls and not replying to his text messages. Over the past three days, he’d asked her to dinner and lunch several times, but she hadn’t even responded, not trusting herself to say or type a negative response. Better to just ignore them than risk it.
When she was only two feet from the group, listening to Marcy discuss something that her son had done earlier in the day, Naya knew that she was in trouble. Feeling like a lamb being led to the slaughter, she dragged her feet, unable to explain to her new friend why she was slowing down.
And then he turned! Those green eyes widened slightly in surprise and then narrowed.
The surprise she could handle. The narrowing…oh, he was so dangerous.
“Um… Marcy, I don’t think…”
“I promise he won’t bite,” her friend was saying.