LITMIR.BIZ

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was unable to accept it?

      Outside of Club 21, Darius took Courtney’s car keys from the attendant’s hand and then opened her door. “Thanks for meeting me here this evening. I hope you had as good a time as I did. That band is something else. I haven’t heard music played so well in a long time.”

      “Yeah, it was just great. They took us back to the days of our parents’ music, but I couldn’t even identify where all the sounds came from. There was a time it sounded like someone was whistling across the top of a soda bottle.”

      Darius laughed. “You picked that up, too, I see.”

      Courtney reached for Darius’s hand. She started to shake it, but instead, she lifted it up to her mouth and planted a light kiss on the back of it. “Thanks for a beautiful evening. Drive safely. Good night.”

      Darius’s words had been ambushed before they got stuck in his craw. Saying something clever would’ve been nice, but his brain wasn’t coherent at the moment. The kiss to his hand had completely stunned him, giving him an inkling of what might’ve happened had she kissed him on the mouth. The silly notion to never wash his hand crossed his numbed mind. No kiss had ever affected him the way Courtney’s had, a kiss lighter than a whisper.

      As Courtney’s car drove away, Darius stood stock-still for several seconds. When he moved toward his car, a snail could’ve bested him had it been a race. In less than two months, he had nearly become a fool over a woman. He shook his head to try to clear the cobwebs from his mind. He shouldn’t be thinking this way, but he had to find a way to keep their relationship from coming to an abrupt end on the third Saturday in May.

      If friendship was all they could have, so be it.

      Chapter 4

      Courtney and Monica hustled around the office, making sure everything was shut down and locked up for the evening. Courtney still had to stash in the floor safe the checks and cash she and Monica had just tallied. The company used spreadsheets and generated receipts electronically, but every now and then a handwritten receipt was given out for anything under fifty dollars.

      A bank run was only made once a week, normally on Friday afternoons. The Wells Fargo Bank branch the company patronized was located just a few doors down from the office. Courtney, Harrell, Alma and Monica were the only ones authorized to handle bank and credit union transactions. Courtney and her grandmother wrote and signed all company checks, while monitoring all incoming and outgoing expenditures.

      “Too many fingers in the pie could ruin it” was a motto both of them swore by.

      Courtney looked at her watch. They had less than an hour to make it to a special meeting Darius had set up. J.R. had been invited, too. According to what Darius had told Courtney, he wanted her and her friends to meet a man he was keen on doing future business deals with. He’d also said he had a proposition involving Courtney’s company, which he planned to discuss during the meeting. Darius led her to believe this was an extremely important get-together.

      “He didn’t give you any clue as to what this meeting was about?” Monica asked Courtney while shutting down her computer.

      “Just that it was important. I hope it’s something good for the company. I can’t get involved with just anything…and Darius is nothing less than extraordinary as a businessman. He has incredible visions for his company. If he wants to involve The Party People in something he’s doing, I’m willing to see if I can get behind his ideas.”

      “Girl, you’re just too savvy. Remember all those negative remarks about your visions? You certainly proved those naysayers wrong—and you did it in record time. Just think how far you’ve come this past year.”

      Courtney nodded. “It’s also hard for me to believe. I often think about all the bank managers who turned me down for a small business loan. Thank God for federal credit unions. If Papa Harrell hadn’t been a military veteran, I couldn’t have landed a loan there, either.”

      “You had strong, brilliant visions for the business and you already know I think your grandparents are the best visionaries around. They’re good to you and for you. As your employee and your friend, I get to cash in on the benefits, too. I love all three of you.”

      Courtney smiled. “I know how you feel about us. They do, too.” She frowned. “Do I look okay?”

      “You look beautiful, as always. For a girl who hardly ever worries about her attire, you sure have been overly concerned about it lately. What’s that all about?”

      Courtney rolled her eyes back. “I just asked a simple question about my appearance.”

      Monica gave her boss a slanted glance. “Your tan pantsuit hardly has that ‘off the rack’ look. The spicy-orange shell brings in just the right amount of color, along with the complementary juicy-fruit-orange leather pumps and bag. You’re a fresh breath of spring, looking as if you’re ready to get down to business. The simple but elegant diamond pendant and studs add more sparkle to the glow of your skin and personality. There!”

      “Thank you.” Courtney smiled softly. “Your kind but rather long assessment of my outfit put me at ease. I know I’ve been out of it lately. I’m almost ashamed to admit it. Looking good for an engaged man is absolutely insane. Yet, when I’m dressing, I often wonder what Darius would think of this dress or that suit.”

      “You and I both know that’s pitiful. You know exactly who you are, therefore the clothes you wear highlight your personality and spirit just right. Enough said?”

      “Enough said,” Courtney echoed, “especially if we plan to get out of here to be on time for the meeting. I’ll secure the safe and be ready to go in a couple of minutes.”

      “Sounds good to me. I’m going to hit the ladies’ room and freshen up my makeup. I also need to call J.R. back.”

      “He probably just wanted to remind you about the meeting,” Courtney offered.

      “You’re probably right. He’s excited about discussing business with Darius.”

      “I’m trying not to let it get to me. Excitement or dread, we’ll know after we find out what Darius has in mind.”

      Jasmine smiled. “Welcome to D.F. Film Productions, Inc,” she said to Monica and J.R. “It is nice to see you again, Miss Campbell. I’m glad you found time to take this last-minute meeting. Darius was really pleased all of you could make it. Have a seat. I’ll let him know you folks are here. Can I get any of you something to drink?”

      All heads shook in the negative, followed up by a No, thank you from each of them.

      “Okay, then.” Jasmine didn’t push the issue. Darius already had her phone in a nice-size spread from one of his favorite nearby eateries, Jacoby’s Deli.

      “Please feel free to have a seat. Make yourselves at home. Mr. Fairfax will be with you shortly.”

      Darius looked up at Meyer Chandler, CEO of See-Through Films. “The rest of the group has arrived. Do you have anything else you want to say before we convene in one of the conference rooms?”

      Meyer shook his head. “I’m sure I’ll have more queries after the next segment of our meeting.”

      “In that case, please come with me.”

      Darius got up from the table and walked to his office door with Meyer following along behind him. Darius opened the door and gestured for his guest to precede him. As he made his way to the reception area, he actually felt a little nervous. Knowing he’d soon see the lovely Courtney Campbell caused him to brace himself for the impact sure to come. Her mere presence hadn’t failed to level him yet.

      Smiling warmly, J.R. got to his feet, meeting Darius in the middle of the room. “Great seeing you again, man, but I didn’t know it’d be this soon. Both Monica and I were surprised by your invitation. We’re eager to hear what you have to say.”

      Darius

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