Читать книгу A Perfect Caress - Nana Prah - Страница 13

Chapter 4

The most recent meeting Lanelle had with the hospital board dragged on for hours as they’d discussed the issue of funding for the NICU.

During the first half hour, tempers rose as some of the board members’ anger about the lack of funds surfaced. Lanelle observed the discussion with a critical eye as she fumed. She couldn’t believe there were some who seemed ambivalent to the miscalculations. And yet she didn’t trust those being most vociferous in their outrage, either.

She ensured that her voice was calm when she said, “The best thing to do at this point is hire a forensic accountant to find out what happened to the money.”

Rather than the commendation she expected for her idea, the room went silent. After a few seconds, one of the ones who hadn’t seemed to care one way or the other said, “Forensic accountants are specialists who charge a lot of money for their work.” She raised her eyebrow in a condescending way that made Lanelle’s hand form a fist. “And who do you suppose should pay for it?”

Some of the others grumbled things Lanelle couldn’t hear, which made her angrier because they seemed in support of the older woman. “If money has been stolen, they’ve done such a good job of it that it’s probably not the first time. Wouldn’t it be better to invest in finding out if funds are being stolen from the hospital?”

A couple people drank from the glasses that sat in front of them, increasing Lanelle’s suspicions of some of their involvement.

“It’s just conjecture that the money has been stolen. Any number of things could’ve happened to it,” one of the others in the neutral camp said.

Incredulous, Lanelle calmed herself with a deep breath. “And that’s why we need forensics to assess the situation. We need to know for sure what happened to the money.”

The board’s treasurer straightened his stack of papers. “You have an excellent point. But the question remains about funding the fees of the accountant.” He paused as some of the members nodded. The smile, meant to charm her, didn’t work. “Can I suggest another fund-raiser to offset the remaining costs of this noble project you and your family have invested so generously toward?”

Lanelle’s heart beat double time and she struggled to keep herself from shouting out her wrath. It would’ve hindered rather than helped. They already saw her as an eccentric rich woman from the powerful Astacio family, so they treated her very carefully. No need to add crazy to the list. “I hope we revisit the idea of hiring the forensic accountant.” She settled her gaze on each of the board members as she vowed to discover the truth, even if she had to do it on her own. “My family would hate to think that their money has been allowed to be stolen due to...personal interests.” Turning the tables in a flash, she smiled at the treasurer. “A fund-raiser would be a lovely idea.”

Once the throat clearing, body shifting and water drinking settled down, they discussed the fund-raiser, which they all agreed Lanelle would chair and organize, as she’d expected. They’d hold the event in one month to try to keep on the building’s work schedule while giving them time to plan.

Other than her suspicions of the involvement of some of the board members in stealing the project’s money, the meeting went well once the tension dissipated. When it was adjourned, Lanelle had a clear plan in mind about both the fund-raiser and finding the money.

Grabbing her things, she left without making small talk with anyone and headed down to the hospital cafeteria for her favorite decadent treat. Her heart skipped a beat at the memory of meeting Dante the last time she’d gone there. She felt a niggling regret at not saying yes to his invitation. Recalling the children she’d always love but never hold and how she’d never put herself through that again, she knew saying no had been for the best.

* * *

Lanelle had been busy planning the fund-raiser with Toshia over the past couple weeks. Her friend had performed miracles to get the event organized.

At a meeting at Lanelle’s house, they arranged a silent auction to help bring in more proceeds.

“We’re ahead of schedule. Two more weeks and we can set this party off.” Toshia leaned her elbows against Lanelle’s desk. “So tell me what happened at the meeting with the forensic accountant.”

“You will not believe how much money those people make.” The quote had staggered her. “It will be worth it, though. I can’t stand when people get away with doing the wrong thing.”

“Not even your best friend.” Toshia waggled her index finger. “You’re not the one I’d ever call to help me bury a body. I’d end up in jail when you called the police.”

Lanelle laughed. “Good thing I know you’d never kill anyone.”

“If you say so.” Toshia finished her drink and quirked an eyebrow. “Did you set up a date with Mr. Afro for your fund-raiser?”

Something in Lanelle’s belly fluttered at the mention of Dante. He’d been on her mind every day since they’d met. He epitomized the phrase “tall, dark and handsome” and she liked the confident manner and sense of humor he’d displayed during their much too short time together. How could she miss someone she’d known for less than fifteen minutes?

“I haven’t seen or heard from him since the parking lot, so no.” Although she’d seen a lot of him in her fantasies.

Toshia clucked her tongue. “You are one hard-headed woman. You know you liked him. Why don’t you just get in contact with him? Brad thinks he’s a good guy.” Her face perked up. “I’ll call him for you and set up a meeting.” Her friend giggled. “It’ll be destiny.”

Lanelle gasped. She wasn’t sure if she wanted Toshia to go through with her idea or not. Then the fear overtook her desire to get to know the first man she’d been attracted to in years. “Don’t you dare, Toshia. Promise me that you won’t.”

Toshia pouted.

“Promise me.”

“Fine,” she said with more than a little petulance in her voice. “I’ve got to get going. I have a meeting across town in thirty minutes with a client. Get this—he wants to hold a five-story party with each floor having its own theme.” Toshia glowed. “It’s going to be my masterpiece.”

Lanelle smiled at her friend’s joy. “I’m happy for you.” She walked Toshia to her car and hugged her goodbye. Just as Lanelle stepped into her house, her cell phone rang. At the name flashing on her phone, she smiled and answered. “Hello.”

“Hi, Lanelle.” Then a pause. “It’s me, Vanessa.”

They’d spoken almost every day since they’d met. She’d even taken Vanessa out to dinner. Lanelle couldn’t understand how they’d become fast friends in such a short time. The girl’s intelligence, sense of humor and zest for life fascinated her, even though she found their connection disconcerting. The young lady had become the little sister she’d never known she’d wanted. “Why would you think I haven’t saved your number? How’d class go this morning?”

“I think I’m going to change my major.”

Having grown up with a business magnate for a father, one she’d emulated, Lanelle had known what she’d study long before she went to college. She’d never wavered in her decision and couldn’t understand how Vanessa had changed majors three times. “Again?”

“I’m having a hard time making up my mind.”

Lanelle had nothing scheduled for the day except her weekly video chat to keep in touch with her parents when they traveled. She could postpone it to the evening. For once they’d taken a trip to Jamaica to unwind, rather than for business.

She made a quick decision. Hanging out with Vanessa was like blowing bubbles: fun, light and easy. The young woman posed no threat. Her uncle, on the other hand...

“How about I pick you up for lunch and we’ll talk about it?”

“Sounds good. I’ll be waiting in front of the building with the golden dome like last time. Are you taking me to Azure again? Wait. How about I take you to lunch this time?”

“You’re a student. I’m not in the mood for Burger King.”

The harrumph of annoyance would’ve been more believable if not followed by a chuckle. “Goes to show what you know. I would’ve taken you to Wendy’s. Their value meals are better.”

“Since I invited you, I’ll choose the place.”

“I don’t care where we go—food is food.”

Said like a true college student. “I’ll be there in thirty. Bye.”

Every time she agreed to meet Vanessa, Lanelle wondered if Dante would show up. It unnerved her that she wanted to see him again. After two weeks, she hadn’t been able to get him off her mind. A man Vanessa adored couldn’t be a bad guy.

The thrill of awareness she’d felt when he’d touched her had been unparalleled. She sighed. Maybe if she’d met Dante before her life had gone to hell, something good could’ve come from getting to know him. At this point, she could let no man in, not even a handsome, muscular, charming one who’d stolen her breath and ingrained himself into her daily thoughts.

* * *

In the middle of picking out his tuxedo for a fund-raising event two weeks from Saturday, Dante’s phone rang. He excused himself from the tailor after looking at the screen.

He’d barely gotten out his hello when his niece shouted, “Get to campus right now. Lanelle’s picking me up in twenty-eight minutes.”

“What happened to not telling me where she’d be?”

“That was before I realized you’d be perfect for each other.”

Besides their initial two chance meetings, Dante hadn’t run into Lanelle again. He knew nothing about her other than that she possessed the wit and intelligence he’d observed during those brief encounters. Over the past couple of weeks, an image of her beautiful face would pop into his mind at random. When he remembered the spark in her eyes when they’d touched, his skin would get flushed. Not a day went by when he didn’t regret not pushing her for a date, but she seemed as stubborn as he tended to be tenacious, so he’d played the game by her rules. “What makes you think so?”

“I’m not going to say. I just know. Are you coming down?”

And have her call me a cheater and renege on the offer of a date? No. “I’m in the middle of a tuxedo fitting.”

“Can’t you do it later?”

The salesman tapped his foot as he leaned against the counter. “I’ll be out of town for a couple of weeks. I’ll be back just in time to attend a formal fund-raising dinner I’ve been invited to. If I don’t get fitted now, then I’ll be wearing a suit to the dinner.”

“Where are you off to now? I thought you gave most of your travel assignments to one of your executives.”

His niece had a knack for remembering things he’d never expect her to, especially when it came to his work.

“Is it Italy?” She sounded so excited Dante chuckled. “Can I go with you?”

Vanessa had been hounding him for a trip ever since she’d been a little girl. Maybe he’d have to make her dream come to fruition. After the cancer scare, he knew life, no matter the person’s age, could be gone in a moment. “Listen, I’ve got to go. Have a good time with Lanelle. As she said, if it’s meant to be, it will be.”

Vanessa sucked her teeth. “That philosophy is bogus. I like it better when you say that if you want something, go out and get it. What changed your mind?”

I don’t want to piss her off and mess up a chance to get to know her. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

Dante turned to the salesman. “I’m ready.”

Lanelle had starred in all of his fantasies since meeting her. It wouldn’t mean as much if they’d all been sexual. When he’d imagined them having a conversation over dinner, he knew she’d affected him more than a woman he’d just met should’ve. And yet he hadn’t made a move toward finding her. He’d give it more time. Maybe a month. If they didn’t meet by then, he’d do what was more in line with his nature and make it happen.

In the meantime, he’d focus on his business. The hospital project had fallen into his lap, the perfect way to try his hand at a new type of flooring. This contract marked the beginning of a new era in his company. Once they completed the job to perfection, the referrals would flood in. Then he’d be able to get the wicked and greedy Calvano clan off his back.

He ground his teeth at the thought of losing part of his business to them. A deep breath helped to clear the anger. With this hospital bid in his pocket, he no longer had to worry. He’d beat the deadline and maintain complete control of his company.

Perhaps the only thing that would rank with beating the Calvanos would be dating Lanelle.