A Miami Affair

“In case you haven’t done the math, it should have taken me forty-five seconds to name all nine luxury cars in the lot, but you and I both know it didn’t take that long to walk into the restaurant.” Becca took another sip of her water. “And there’s no need to tell me that you’re impressed because I can read it in your eyes.”

Her satisfied smile was wide and it caused him to smile right back. Everything she’d said was right. He was impressed. More than he had been in a very long time.

Chapter 5 (#u42905be2-67c9-5cfb-bc84-c1149c3daa96)

“Earth to Josh? Are you going to stare at that basketball all day, or are we actually going to hoop with it?”

Josh turned to face his youngest brother, Logan. “The others aren’t even here yet.”

“Exactly. Which means we can practice until they get here.”

Josh threw Logan the ball. At least twice a month, Josh met up with his three younger brothers for a two-on-two basketball game in the outdoor court down the street from their childhood home, before they all headed to their mother’s house for Sunday dinner. As usual, his brothers Ryan and Sebastian were late.

“Is everything going okay with work?” Logan asked. “You’ve seemed distracted since you got here.”

“Work’s been crazy.” Josh rebounded for Logan as he shot from the free throw line. “Do you remember that tech company I was telling you about?”

“The one that you just had to do a massive layoff for?”

“Yes, that’s the one.” Josh and Logan switched places so that Josh was the one shooting. “Most of the employees loved the management team, so letting go some of the key players wasn’t easy. I’ve been in numerous meetings with the remaining management staff trying to defuse the situation. The culture of this company is great and I really don’t want to change it. Unfortunately, the staff don’t understand my decisions yet and until they do, there are a lot of growing pains ahead.”

“Don’t sweat it, big bro. You’ve had to make some difficult decisions throughout your career, but you’re doing what’s best for the company.”

“I wish they saw it that way, because right now I feel like I’m demolishing dreams and breaking what was otherwise a close camaraderie between colleagues.” And turning friends against each other. Just this morning he’d had one of the executives call him to rat out one of his friends and fellow executives who he believed had been secretly stealing money from the company years ago. Josh had his team investigating the situation, and he had a feeling the outcome wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Hey,” Logan said, getting his attention. “Do you remember when I was ten and you were fifteen and you walked me to my friend’s house because he was moving after his dad lost his job?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“When we arrived at their house, we walked right into an argument. My friend’s dad was trying to explain to his wife that some investors had just begun cleaning house and laying people off without even meeting with the staff first.”

“That’s right.” Josh went for another shot and missed. “He also mentioned that the main investor was a corporate raider who didn’t give a damn about anyone or anything as long as he was making money.”

“And after that conversation you said there was no way you’d ever become a corporate raider and change the course of someone’s life without giving your decisions a second thought.”

Josh stopped shooting the ball. “And lo and behold, I became the exact person I claimed I would never become.”

“No, you didn’t,” Logan said. “Bro, despite what some of those articles may say, you actually care about what happens to the companies you invest in. True, you’ve had to be somewhat ruthless to get where you are today, but that’s just the nature of the business. For years, you’ve managed to maintain your dignity while also keeping your emotions out of the situation. Don’t start doubting yourself now that you’re at the top of your game.”

Josh let Logan’s words sink in. His brother had basically summarized all the fears he had in that one statement. “You’re right. I need to get out of my headspace.”

“Better yet,” Logan said, “maybe you should find a sweet honey to help you get out of your headspace.” Josh’s thoughts immediately went to Becca, as they had a lot lately.

“Are you sure you’re not the older brother?” Josh asked, finally landing a shot without even hitting the backboard.

Logan pretended to smooth out his hair and T-shirt. “I’ve been trying to tell you for years that I’m the most fly DeLong man in the family, but y’all don’t want to listen.”

“That’s because you’re too full of yourself,” Ryan said as he walked onto the court with Sebastian. “Men who really have swag don’t need to vocalize the fact that they have swag. They just exude it.” All four brothers dabbed fists and prepared to start the game.

“I just have to make a quick call.” Josh walked over to his gym bag that he’d placed on the steel bleachers and pulled out his phone to call Becca. She answered on the third ring.

“Hey, Josh.”

For a second, Josh soaked in her warm voice. “Hey, Becca. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Just busy as usual. How are you?”

“I’m good, but I’d be even better if you’d accompany me to an exclusive black-tie movie premiere at a waterfront estate in the North Bay Road neighborhood on Tuesday.”

“A movie premiere? So it wouldn’t be for business?”

“It would be great for networking and spreading the word about The Aunt Penny Foundation,” Josh said, although he hadn’t been thinking about business when he’d decided to invite her. He’d simply wanted to spend some more time with her. He really liked her. However, he wasn’t sure if it was just the challenge that amused him, or if it was more. He needed to find out and the more time they spent together, the quicker he’d figure it out.

“Also, the host of the movie premiere is a business associate, so I have to make an appearance. I’d be honored if you’d attend with me because I really don’t want to go stag.”

Since he couldn’t see her in person, he couldn’t gauge if she was leaning more toward saying yes or no. His brothers motioned for him to join the game and he waved them off.

“Okay, I’ll go with you,” she finally said.

“Great,” Josh said with a big smile. “I’ll email you the details. Would 6:00 p.m. work?”

‘‘Yes, that’s fine.”

Josh disconnected the call and joined his brothers on the court. Now that Becca had agreed to accompany him to the movie premiere, his week was already looking better.

* * *

Becca tried her best not to elbow the strangers who were rudely pushing past her in the crowded sandwich café as she and Haley made their way to the table where Leanna was already seated.

“Jeez,” she huffed when they sat down. “Why is it so packed today?”

Leanna laughed. “Well, besides the fact that it’s lunchtime on a Tuesday, they’re also handing out free red-and-blue sandwiches in honor of Independence Day this week.”

“Ew,” Haley said. “That sounds disgusting. I’m afraid to even ask what’s in it.”

Leanna took a sip of green tea. “You’ll see for yourselves when they bring ours to the table. When I ordered our usual, they asked if we wanted to try the sandwiches and I agreed.”

“If you two don’t like them I can bring them to Stacy.”

“So you went from being ready to fire her to bringing her sandwiches?” Leanna asked. “I must be working at my salon too much, because last time I was in the office, Stacy wasn’t doing much work.”

Becca shrugged. “She’s growing on me. When I called the temp agency, they mentioned this job would be her last strike, and by the end of their apology I was telling them we would keep her on.”

Becca still needed to have a serious talk with the teenager about her work ethic, but she was hoping after that conversation Stacy would work harder.

“Okay, so enough about that.” Haley clasped her hands in front of her. “Are you going to tell us more about this event that Josh invited you to tonight?”

Becca knew the minute Haley asked if she wanted to meet Leanna for lunch that they would ask for details about her conversation with Josh. “Since I had a feeling you both would ask me a ton of questions, I printed out the event invitation he emailed me.”