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      Chapter 2

      “Boudreaux Towers is a multilevel office complex the likes of which has never been seen in New Orleans, Louisiana.” The comment came from Kenneth Charles, renowned architect and owner of the design firm Charles & Charles Architecture. “This will be a magnificent partnership for us.” He and his daughter were riding in the company limo to their meeting. He lifted his gaze from the iPad he was making notes on to stare in her direction.

      Camryn Charles eyed her father back. “And we’ll be working directly with Mason?” she asked.

      Her father nodded. “I don’t know if you’re aware or not but he sold off his hotel business. This is a new venture for him and I’m honored that he wants us to design the building. He has a brother that will be working on this project, as well. I haven’t had the opportunity to meet him yet.” Kenneth paused as he leaned forward in his seat, passing a prospectus to his daughter. “And this is going to be a great opportunity for you, as well, Camryn. I’ve given it a lot of thought and I want you to take the lead on this project. Mason and I have agreed that you should head the design team.”

      Camryn’s eyes widened as she took the documents from her father’s hand. “Really?”

      The man’s salt-and-pepper head moved up and down. “You’re making a solid name for yourself in the industry, independent of me and the business. It’s been impressive, and I think if you design the newest skyscraper in downtown New Orleans, it will take both you and the business to a whole new level.”

      The young woman smiled warmly. “I appreciate the confidence, Father,” she said, flipping through the documents in her lap.

      Camryn fought to contain the excitement that sizzled in the pit of her stomach. Although she’d been eager to work on a new project with her father, to have him hand her the reins of one of the company’s biggest contracts was a big deal for the both of them. Determined to prove herself worthy of his trust, Camryn couldn’t wait to get started.

      As their driver stopped the car in front of the Roosevelt Hotel and moved to open the door for them, she turned to her father. “How much creative control do I have?” she asked.

      The man eyed her teasingly. “How much do you want?”

      She grinned. “Why doesn’t that sound promising, Father?”

      He chuckled warmly. “As far as I’m concerned, Camryn, you have full and total creative control. However,” he concluded, tossing her a wink of his eye, “you’ll have to negotiate the specifics of that with our client.”

      “I hope our client is an old softy like you, then!”

      Her father laughed. “There’s nothing soft about your old man, Camryn Charles. Not one single thing.”

      Camryn laughed with him. “So there’s hope for Mr. Boudreaux, is that what you’re saying?”

      Kenneth grinned. “For some reason, I think the Boudreaux family is in for more than they bargained for.”

      * * *

      The two men sat at the large conference table as Mason detailed the budget for his new multimillion-dollar building. Darryl listened intently, digesting the details like a good meal. He’d been inundated with information since he arrived, his brother’s excitement fueling his own. Adding to that exhilaration was discovering that Mason had hired Kenneth Charles to work on the architectural design.

      Kenneth Charles was one of his idols, having won numerous awards for his work. He was considered an architectural genius amongst his peers, and Darryl was excited about the prospect of working with the legend. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the conference room door, the entrance swinging open easily.

      Both Darryl and Mason came to their feet as Kenneth Charles made an entrance. “Mason, how are you?” the man said, extending a large hand as the two old friends greeted each other warmly.

      “It’s good to see you, Kenneth.” He gestured behind him. “Let me introduce you to my brother. Darryl Boudreaux, this is Kenneth Charles. Kenneth, my brother Darryl.”

      “It’s an honor to meet you, sir,” Darryl said, his eyes wide with awe.

      “Your brother speaks quite highly of you, Darryl. I understand from Mason that you are quite talented in your own right. Is that true, son?” Kenneth asked.

      Darryl shrugged ever so slightly. “I think my brother is a bit biased, sir.”

      “Family usually is. Trust me when I tell you that the work I’ve done isn’t all that impressive, either. However, to hear my daughter tell it, you’d think I’d built stairwells past the moon and straight to heaven.”

      A soft voice echoed from the entrance behind them. “Actually, Father, I tell people you’ve built stairwells past heaven and into the stratosphere.”

      Darryl turned toward the entrance and stared. There was no missing the familial resemblance between Mr. Charles and the young woman entering the room. Without realizing it, Darryl found himself holding his breath. The stunning beauty had commanded his full and undivided attention.

      She shared her father’s warm chocolate complexion and large dark eyes. He assumed that the full lips and pouty mouth that begged to be kissed had been inherited from her mother. In the tailored navy skirt and ruffled white blouse she wore, there was no denying the woman had a figure that could make even a strong man beg for her attention. She was curvaceous with a full bustline, whisper-thin waist and pleasingly thick hips. As he stared, Darryl suddenly felt weak, his legs feeling like jelly. He had to fight to shake the unnerving sensation. He took a deep breath and held it.

      Mason laughed. “That’s right! Give credit where credit is due!” he said as he moved to wrap the young woman in a quick hug. “How are you, Camryn? It’s good to see you again.”

      “I’m doing very well, Mason. It’s good to see you again, too. And congratulations! Father tells me you recently got married!”

      “Yes, I did.” Mason grinned. “I hope to introduce you and your father to Phaedra in the very near future.”

      The young woman smiled sweetly. “I can’t wait to meet her. It looks like marriage is serving you well.”

      “It definitely is!” Mason said, nodding his agreement.

      “Camryn, come say hello,” her father interrupted. “Darryl, this is my daughter, Camryn. Cam, this is Mason’s brother Darryl Boudreaux.”