only for Brice to wind up in Naomi’s classroom when she returned to her real life as a professor at Atlanta College. Ever since Naomi had married Brice and moved away, and continued to regale her with the wonders of marriage and now motherhood, she found herself wondering if she would ever find that kind of happiness, that all-consuming love that lit up a room. Every now and again she thought it might be Ian, but that spark never quite reached that level of intensity.
On the other hand, there was never a shortage of men in Alexis’s life. If anything there was always a surplus with one in the wings. Things slowed down when Ian moved into the picture. But...
“You call me when you get to New York,” Naomi was saying.
Alexis blinked back to the moment. “Of course. As soon as I touch down. Not sure when I’m going to get back to see you and my goddaughter.”
“Don’t worry about us. You just go to New York and kick ass.”
Alexis chuckled. “I plan to. Listen, give my baby a kiss and one for Brice, too.”
“Gonna miss you, girl.”
“Same here. But that’s why we have planes and Skype and FaceTime.”
They laughed.
“True.”
Alexis could hear the baby crying in the background. “Go take care of April. I’ll call you.”
“Safe travels, sis.”
“Thanks.”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Alexis hung up the phone with a soft sigh. She looked around her bedroom. She’d had some pretty happy times in here, she mused wryly. She zipped up her last suitcase just as a car horn honked out front.
She walked to the window facing the street and pulled the curtain aside. Her cab was out front. Thankfully, she’d shipped the majority of her belongings a week ago, leaving her with only one suitcase, her carry-on and her purse. She checked to make sure she had her ID, credit cards, cell phone and laptop. She took one last look around, turned off the lights, grabbed her bags and left her old life behind.
Chapter 2
Alexis had to give props to R.E.A.L. The organization—Realize Excellence Achievement Leadership—had arranged to have her furniture and clothing moved, they’d found her an apartment in New York and they’d gotten her a first-class ticket. She could easily get used to this kind of treatment.
The moment she stepped off the airplane and into the JFK terminal she could feel the energy that always seemed to hum beneath the surface in New York. It was hard to explain to anyone who had not experienced it, but it was similar to turning up the volume on your life or walking into a dark room and someone flipping on the bright lights.
She rode along with the other arriving passengers on the down escalator to baggage claim. As soon as she stepped off of the escalator she was stunned to see a navy blue suited young man holding up a sign with her name on it. She grinned. R.E.A.L. was pulling out all of the stops. She was totally impressed.
She walked up to the driver.
“Hi, I’m Alexis Montgomery.”
“Ms. Montgomery.” He gave a short nod. “Michael. I’m your driver. I’ll help you with your bags and then I’ll go and get the car.”
“Great. Hopefully it won’t take too long.” She headed in the direction of carousel three with Michael at her side.
“How was your flight?”
“Very nice, thanks to a first-class ticket. The organization treats its employees very well.”
They stopped in front of the carousel that had already begun to fill with luggage.
“Yes, it does.”
Shortly her bags came around on the belt. Michael took them and walked to the exit. “If you wouldn’t mind waiting a moment, I’ll bring the car.”
“I can walk with you to the car.”
“No worries. I’ll be right back.”
She inwardly shrugged. Fine with me. She walked over to a nearby bench, sat down and watched arriving travelers run into the arms of waiting loved ones. She experienced a momentary twinge of melancholy, knowing there were no open arms to greet her, just a furnished apartment in an unfamiliar city. She sniffed, opened her purse in search of her cigarettes and then remembered that she’d recently quit and suddenly wished that she hadn’t and took out a stick of gum instead. She glanced around, took in the sights and sounds. Although it was early May, it was a balmy seventy-five degrees. Almost like home, she thought.
Just then a black Lincoln pulled up in front of her and Michael quickly got out. He reached for her carry-on and opened the passenger door. Alexis slid into the roomy interior and gasped in alarm.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Please. Sit.”
Alexis’s pulse raced. She settled herself opposite her surprise guest.
“Graham Stone.” He extended his hand.
Her eyes widened. “Graham Stone, CEO of R.E.A.L.?” Her hand, of its own volition, found its way into his. His long fingers wrapped around her hand and it was as if he’d cut off the oxygen to her brain.
He grinned and even in the dim interior she could see his eyes sparkle. Her stomach fluttered. She pressed her knees together to silence the lady that had jumped up and started to purr.
“Guilty as charged. My flight from London came in just before yours. I told Michael to find you. Much more efficient for him to take the both of us than to have you take a cab in a strange city.”
“I...appreciate that.”
Graham leaned back against the plush leather of the car. His steel-gray suit was in that new slender cut and it clearly outlined the long lean lines of his body. He looked her over in slow motion. “I have to apologize for this impromptu meeting,” he said, and she caught the barely there British accent. “It was unfortunate that I was out of town when you came in to meet with the board last month. And that we couldn’t ‘meet’ on the conference call.”
“I was beginning to think that maybe you were only a voice or a figment of everyone’s imagination.”
Graham chuckled, the kind of deep robust sound that made you all warm inside.
“Not the first time I’ve heard that. Unfortunately, my focus is on building the organization and getting the kids of the inner city into the kind of schools that they deserve. I don’t always have time for the elbow rubbing and schmoozing. I prefer to remain behind the scenes as much as possible, in addition to which the work involves a great deal of travel.” As he spoke he stared directly at her, never averting his gaze. It was mesmerizing as much as it was unsettling.
Alexis cleared her throat. “And that’s why you hired me?”
“Yes.
