He squeezed the phone in his hand and forced another smile.“If this is all you have for me today, I have something to deal with, so I’ll call my cab.That’s if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
After switching off the lights, she followed him out of the lab and led him to the front office.“You’re free to wait here until your ride comes.You can let yourself out.”
“Thanks.”His gaze softened as he continued, “I’ll see you on Monday.”
She hadn’t left reception before he swiped the screen, and his fingers flew over the keyboard while he frowned as though his life depended on sending that message.
The more she thought about it, she was sure the man wouldn’t last any time working for her.His temperament was a problem, and that message he received made her wonder if she’d opened her business to a kidnapper.
If she could believe the twins, he was a decent guy.As a matter of good order, she’d do her due diligence and check if he had a police record.The truth was, with anyone else, she’d have investigated his background before hiring him,butif her brothers had led her astray, she’d give them hell for putting her business in jeopardy.
Instinctively, she knew neither of them would do that.Zack had run her business while she was off the island, and hadn’t burned the building down or caused any disaster, except for a mishap with their parents’ dog and Luca’s mom, Gina, who’d be her sister-in-law in a couple of months.
She had more trust in Zack than in Eli, who had no clue how to handle children.He believed they were small adults who could be treated like grown people.
Situated behind the desk once more, she picked up the phone.Zack had never been able to deny her anything, so if Shomari had any deep, dark secrets, her brother would spill them if she pressed him hard enough.
Chapter 5
“So,whereisthishouse Chelle said you were building?Is that where you’re staying?”
Although Natanya had his attention, Shomari stopped listening to her.Mother’s question burned a hole in his chest, and he had no idea how to answer.
“Mommy coming soon?”Natanya asked, looking up at him.
He didn’t know, so he said, “I’m not sure.”
Mother leaned toward him, frowning.“I know you heard me, Shomari, so why don’t you answer?”
Because none of that is your business.The words hovered on his lips, but he wouldn’t say that to his mother, no matter that she’d never respected his boundaries.Worse, she’d never stop talking if she understood the gravity of his situation.
“You haven’t given me a chance, Mother.”
Her focus went to Natanya, who was playing with one of the buttons on his shirt.“How many ways are there to say that Chris … that girl took you for a ride?”
How did she know that?And if she knew, why was she asking about a house he didn’t have?
Shomari kept his business private, so only his sister, Rochelle, and the twins knew of his misfortune.He’d only told Chelle because she’d been in Florida a couple of weeks before he returned home, and they met for lunch.He’d been down in the dumps, and it hadn’t taken much prodding from her to pry the story out of him.The thing about his sister was that she didn’t understand their mother.
Monica Smithson had a low tolerance for men, and that included her only son.Since Shomari understood that, he never gave her ammunition to use against him.For the next twenty minutes, he’d be at her mercy.Earl had dropped him off and would return after he ran an errand.
The cheerful room did nothing to lift his spirit, so he planted a kiss on Natanya's forehead, then said, “I don’t want to talk about it.Now isn’t a good time.”
“And if I know you well, there will never be an opportunity to discuss this.”
He shrugged, hoping she’d change the subject.Instead, she went in another direction.“Do you need any help?”
“No.I’m fine.”
“How can you be, without money or a place to lay your head?”
Her concern would have meant more if he didn’t believe she’d poke holes in any explanation he gave.To stave off more questions, he said, “I do have some money.”
She didn’t need to know he only had enough to keep him for several months, if he was careful.The shock of how expensive things were since he left Jamaica was another matter.
She pinned him with a steady gaze.“And where exactly are you staying?”
