event date. Eight or so is when I’d like to get to there. They go on at nine, but I always like time to unwind. They’re performing at Club 21.”
“My employees and I drop in there after work from time to time. Let me look at my calendar and get back to you.”
Unprepared for the jagged disappointment sluicing through him, Darius winced. He was used to women telling him they were available at his beck and call, though it wasn’t something he encouraged, desired or demanded. Courtney, on the other hand, made it seem as if she wasn’t the least bit interested in him on a personal level—and he was more than bothered by that. She was a true enigma, and he actually liked that about her. Generally speaking, figuring out someone instantly wasn’t very challenging or exciting to him.
Getting to know Courtney Campbell outside her corporate persona was a challenge Darius wished he could meet head-on. The lady was so intriguing that it was hard to keep his mind fixed on one of the finest engagement receptions he had to pull off.
Monica was the first employee to pop into the conference room. Dressed in pink designer jeans and a fashionable top in a dark shade of coral made her look cool and comfortable. She smiled as she rushed by Courtney, who was still on the phone, to claim her favorite seat at the table.
“Say, Darius, our staff meeting is about to start. I need to end this call. I promise to try to get back with you before the lunch hour is over. Is that okay?”
“It’s fine. In fact, let’s discuss the reception some more over lunch. I’ve been given a Web site for the band. I’ll check it out and print the important criteria to bring along.”
Sucking in a deep breath, Courtney mentally wrestled with her reluctance to accept Darius’s invitation versus her desire to be near him. It’s only lunch. You do have to eat. “Where would you like to meet for lunch?”
Deep regret assailed Courtney’s common sense the same moment the words left her mouth. Being alone with this irresistible, engaged man was dangerous. The riotous feelings he evoked inside her should serve as a serious warning: Danger dead ahead.
“Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles on Gower and Sunset is the first place I thought of. If Monica is free, please invite her, too. She kept us laughing at brunch. I like both her and J.R. I get the feeling they’re very genuine, down-to-earth people.”
“You nailed that right! They’re the most sincere people I’ve ever met. I’ll share your invite with Monica and see if she can make it. Does twelve-thirty work?”
“Perfect. See you then.”
Wanting to hear his last breath, Courtney kept the phone up to her ear until he’d clicked off. As she looked around the room, it appeared that almost everyone was present. There were a few staffers missing, mostly part-timers, but she expected them to skid into the room any minute now. Everyone knew tardiness was a major pet peeve of hers.
Courtney smiled brightly as Alma and Harrell Campbell came through the door. Her grandmother had said she wasn’t sure if they’d make the meeting or not, but Courtney was pleased to see them. As her grandparents took seats, Courtney blew kisses their way, showing exactly how she felt about Grammy Alma and Papa Harrell. Love was written all over her face and it shone brightly in her eyes.
After demonstratively greeting her family members, Courtney made her way over to them, gave out warm hugs and planted kisses on their cheeks. Smiling with contentment, Courtney watched as Monica dashed around the room to get coffee for the elder Campbells, whom Monica loved as if they were her own kin. Once she filled the mugs, she came back to the table and handed the dark, hot liquid to Alma and Harrell. Monica then returned to the counter to pour a cup of coffee for herself.
Courtney walked over to the podium and opened her manila folder. Another quick glance around the room confirmed that everyone was present and accounted for.
“Good morning to all of you. It’s nice to see your sunshiny smiles. The uplifting weekend zipped by us with the speed of lightning. Now we’re here to share in our Monday morning blues session. Hopefully, we won’t have any.” As Courtney pulled a comical face, everyone laughed. Her sense of humor made the staff meetings fun.
“We’ll discuss old business first and then go over the items we’ve yet to complete. I hope all of you have evaluated the events you’ve worked. Writing reports can be tedious, but it helps us pinpoint our strengths and identify weaknesses. Cheryl, let’s start with you. How did the Bevins’ twenty-fifth anniversary party go?”
Cheryl Dawson, an attractive, fair-skinned female, tall with a slender body, stood up and approached the podium. She was a genius with numbers. Everyone called on her after receiving a final head count for the events they worked on. She almost always suggested just the right amount of food items and beverages to order.
Cheryl smiled warmly. “The Bevins’ event was a big success,” she said into the microphone. “We know how hard it is to pull off surprise parties, but the family members in charge managed to keep the couple totally in the dark. No one could’ve faked their reactions. Everyone who responded to the RSVP showed up. We succeeded in all areas. The handling of the event received an A+, according to the feedback surveys.”
The staff clapped in response to Cheryl’s positive report as she sat back down.
Courtney moved back to the podium. “Congratulations on the hard work to Cheryl and her great team! We wish every event earned such high marks. An A+ is rare.”
For the next hour, Courtney sat and listened to the other staff members’ assessments of the events they had handled. Not a single one was a disaster, but neither were any as perfect as Cheryl’s. There were several B grades and a couple of Cs. The staff discussed in depth things that had and hadn’t run smoothly.
Taking thorough notes helped Courtney identify problem areas with an event, which gave her an opportunity to make improvements. Working out all the kinks was a job she relished and also paid very close attention to.
Courtney smoothed a hand down her white dress slacks before slipping back into the matching suit jacket. The lavender silk shirt was a great color to complement her complexion and it beautifully offset the white Evan Picone crepe pantsuit.
Standing in front of the mirrored dressing table, she refreshed her makeup and tended to her full lips, brushing on a clear gloss. Combing her hair back in place came next. Satisfied that she looked her very best, she left the bathroom and headed back to the front of the restaurant to wait for Darius. Monica had already made other plans for lunch and her grandparents had had to leave immediately after the meeting adjourned.
The moment Darius spotted Courtney he couldn’t help smiling. She hadn’t seen him yet, so that gave him a few seconds to indulge himself in a bit of girl-watching. He loved the outfit she had on and he also thought the lavender color complemented both the stark white material of her suit and her warm skin tone. He noticed that the lavender shoes she wore had low heels, as opposed to the stiletto styles a lot of women preferred. She walked with confidence; he noticed how high she held her head.
What was going on inside her mind was only one of many things he’d love to explore about her. What made her tick? Who was the woman beneath the business persona? What would make her smile the brightest and bring her the most pleasure? What kind of man turned her on? What did Courtney Campbell want out of life and love?
So many intriguing questions without answers. Darius vowed to find out everything about the mysterious Courtney. She seemed to have a lot going for her. It was important for him to know her
