CHAPTER NINETEEN

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ADAM DOUBLE CHECKED his schedule. Jam packed, he had just enough time for a quick bite to eat before he zipped across the Queensboro Bridge. After a non-stop morning crisscrossing Manhattan, then back again, the one thirty meeting would take the better part of the afternoon.

Some days he spent more time in traffic than interacting with clients.

Not that Adam had any complaints. Business was so good, he was ready to expand his workforce. He should have made the move months ago. Another body, or two—maybe three—made perfect sense.

The problem? Right now, he controlled every aspect of his one-man operation. Adam had to learn the art of delegation.

"You're killing yourself." Melvin tossed Adam a sandwich. "You know a million people. They know a couple million more. Somewhere in the pool of friends and acquaintances must be someone who you trust to take on some of the load."

Adam could name a dozen off the top of his head. Good men and women. Hardworking. Capable. Reliable. All he had to do was make a few calls. Whenever he tried, he suddenly lost his ability to dial.

"I'll get there." Eventually.

To save wear and tear on his suit, Adam leaned against the side of his newly hand-tooled car. Melvin, dressed in his usual paint-splattered coveralls, lounged on a pile of cinderblocks. The job—arranged by Adam—was huge. The newly constructed home needed a lot of paint.

Melvin and his crew were almost finished inside. Adam took a tour before they settled down to eat. The exterior was up next—as soon as landscaping and general cleanup were completed.

"Tamara has a cousin."

"Ah, Tamara and her endless supply of relatives." Adam bit into the ham and cheddar. Good sandwich.

"You can scoff. I know what you're looking for. Reggie meets all your qualifications. And more. He's super organized. A wiz with computers. He—"

"Tell him to email me his resume."

"Really?" Melvin did a sitting happy dance, arms and legs waving in the air. "I had a long, step-by-step argument ready. You saved me a lot of words, buddy."

"What are friends for?"

"Coffee?" Melvin held up an oversized thermos.

Adam shook his head.

"I'll stick to water."

Adam's timing wasn't coincidental. He could have stopped by the site that morning. Or later in the day. Tamara was a great cook and always packed more than her husband could eat. Melvin was happy to share. Adam was happy to accept.

More than food, he enjoyed the company. They ate in companionable silence. When Melvin pulled out two thick slices of cake, Adam wondered why he didn't join his pal for lunch more often.

"Banana spice with cream cheese frosting." Melvin took a huge bite.

"Delicious." Adam chewed slowly, savoring the tender goodness.

Melvin let out a hefty sigh as he wiped his mouth.

"I guess I'll have to ask."

No need for Adam to respond. Eventually, Melvin would get to the point. He emptied his water, tossed the empty bottle into the trash. And waited.

"Word on the street is you have a new woman in your life."

Ah, gossip. Adam had planned to mention Calder. No reason not to have a little fun first.

"Why are you hanging out on the street? And does Tamara know?"

"You're funny. Hilarious. If you don't want to tell me, just say so."

Adam's lips twitched. He could always rely on Melvin to give him a good laugh.

"I don't want to tell you."

"Fuck you." Melvin jumped to his feet. Before he could storm off, Adam relented.

"Her name is Calder."

"Holy shit, holy shit. Holy. Shit." Eyes wide, Melvin slapped Adam on the back. "Calder Benedict? Super rich? Super connected? Super out of your league? That Calder?"

"Calder is the most down to earth person you'll ever meet. As for out of my league? You're right. Luckily, she doesn't agree."

Melvin let out a low whistle.

"Did you meet before or after my crew did the job at her place? Shit, man. The woman lives in a freaking castle."

"We met during. As for where she lives? So what?"

Adam wasn't after her money. Still, he wasn't blind to the differences in their lifestyles. The less impressed he acted, the sooner the feeling would become reality. He hoped.

"Over a month and you haven't said a word. No wonder you didn't have time to come to dinner. I was going to suggest you bring your new lady. But Calder Benedict?" Melvin cleared his throat. "Bad idea."

"Why?"

"Tamara and I live in a one-bedroom walkup. The house will be ready to move in next month. Even then? She can afford the Ritz. The closest we ever get is the cracker."

Adam laughed. Good joke. Except Melvin was dead serious.

"Calder doesn't mind a few flights of stairs. And she likes crackers."

"Adam…"

"At least meet her before you pass judgment."

"I'm sure she's great. But—"

"Are we invited, or not?"

"Sure. What the hell?" Melvin threw his hands up in defeat. "Friday work for you?"

With a glance at his watch, Adam realized he better get going, or he'd be late. Behind the wheel, Adam started the car.

"Unless you hear different, we'll be there."

"Tamara will kill me," Melvin muttered.

He had good friends, Adam thought as he drove away. Calder would love them. And, despite Melvin doubts, he knew they would love her.