“So, my cousin tells me you all have an idea to run by me?” Alex was saying as he settled into one of the armchairs circling the coffee table.
Redmon Cowan cleared his throat. “That’s right, Alex. Because of the Queen City Happening’s relationship with the city’s African-American community, we’ve decided your publication would be the perfect venue for what we have in mind.”
Alex tugged on his earlobe. “And that is?” he asked, studying the older dark man with cool interest.
“We’d like your paper to begin a series of articles that spotlight local African-American entrepreneurs.”
“A different one each week,” Martin Cramer added, leaning forward to rub his chubby hands together. “In addition to congratulating these successful people, we’ll also be informing the community about the very strong presence of black-owned businesses.”
“Mmm, not to mention promoting the patronage of those businesses,” Alex mentioned.
“You sound interested, Alex,” Josie noted.
He favored her with a knowing grin. “I am. Tell me more.”
The group discussed the idea in greater detail. Alex thought it had extreme promise and was a bit peeved that no one at the paper had suggested it before. Still, he informed the council members that he would discuss the matter with his managing editor and president and they would all agree to meet again.
“I’m out of here, De.”
“You can’t go now,” DeAndra argued, her light hazel eyes widening in despair.
Alex shook his head. “I can’t take it anymore. I accomplished what I came here to do, thanks to you.”
The comment pleased DeAndra tremendously. “I’m glad their idea appealed to you.”
“Very much,” he said, leaning down to plant a kiss on her cheek. “Good night.”
“De?” Josie Sharp called when the cousins parted ways. “Will Alex be joining us for dinner?”
DeAndra folded her arms across the front of her severe suit and sighed. “I’m afraid not. It was all I could do to get him to even attend the party. Oh well, at least he’s interested in the entrepreneurs’ spotlight.”
Josie appeared crestfallen anyway. “Yeah, at least,” she remarked.
DeAndra finally realized how taken the woman was by Alex and decided to probe a bit. “So I guess my cousin made an impression?”
“Definitely.”
“Are you speaking professionally or personally?”
Josie’s glossy berry-red lips pursed. “Come now, DeAndra. I know the man’s your cousin, but do you really need clarification on that? He’s absolutely devastating. Is he seeing anyone?”
DeAndra’s oval, vanilla-toned face expressed pure cunning. “Oh, he’s about to be,” she said, believing she had finally found the perfect woman for her cousin.
“What do you think?”
“Sounds like you need a radiator flush, you may even have trash in your gas tank,” Topaz explained, straightening up before the hood of the tan Mercedes. “That could account for the jerking you feel when it changes gears.”
Jesus Jiminez shook his head, his pitch-black gaze narrowed in admiration. “You are incredible,” he breathed. “When can you look at it for me?”
“Well, I’m leaving now,” Topaz was saying as she rubbed her palms together. “Would you follow me?”
“I’d follow you anywhere, bonita,” Jesus declared and kissed her cheek.
“Save the charm, J.J.,” Topaz playfully advised. “Meet me at the shop in half an hour,” she called as she headed off in the direction of her own car.
Halfway there, she ran into Alex along the walkway. He was checking his pockets and hadn’t noticed her. Topaz smiled when she felt her heart jump to her throat. She was around gorgeous, sexy men every day. What was it about this one that made her feel ... so strange?
“Alex?” she called, having shrugged off the question. “Are you finally leaving?” she asked when he looked up.
“You better believe it,” he wholeheartedly confirmed. “I thought you’d be gone already, though.”
Topaz glanced across her shoulder. “I was looking at a friend’s car,” she told him. “What?” she asked when Alex grinned and shook his head.
He wouldn’t answer. Inwardly, he was thinking how incredibly different she was. There was far more to the stunning goddess than her outward appearance revealed.
“Well, again, Alex, it was very nice meeting and talking with you. I hope we see each other again soon,” she said, then turned to walk away. Clasping her hands to her chest, she prayed he would stop her.
“Topaz? How would you feel about talking more, over drinks?” he suggested.
“I’d like that,” she accepted, just before her expression clouded. “Only, I already made an appointment to look my friend’s car over at my shop. Um ... can I have a rain check?” she softly requested.
Alex closed his eyes and nodded once. “Sounds good,” he coolly accepted.
