Page 41 of With Wine Comes War

“Hi Alex. What can I help you with?”

“Does Roman have any time next week to do an interview?”

“With you?” she questioned. I laughed.

Why does everyone think I need a job? Or that I would ask Roman of all people?

“No, with Darius Jackson to learn construction stuff.”

“I just sent out an email to create a board to put together a training facility, but it won’t be ready for months.”

“Hmmm… do you have any ideas where Darius could get started in the company?” I have a really good feeling about this young man, and I want to get him something sooner than later so that he doesn’t end up getting in trouble in that neighborhood.

“Let me talk to Roman. We could at least get him in here and show him what we do and get him familiar with all the divisions until thetraining is up and running. You know, see if it’s something he’s truly interested in.”

“That would be great. Thanks Amelia.” I laid the phone down and continued getting all these meetings and phone calls logged. I still needed to call Matt and Darius when the elevator door opened and Roman appeared.

“I couldn’t wait for you to come to the lobby, I needed to see you and make sure you were still here.”

Control freak much?

“I’m still here. I’ve been busy. I’ve got two more phone calls to make and some searching to do over in Matt’s district. I may take a ride over there next week and do some scoping out.” It was nice to have something productive and helpful to focus on again.

“You seem pretty excited about doing this, I’m happy for you.” He leaned on the counter next to me and smiled as he reached over and brushed his knuckles over my shoulder, lightly.

“Yeah, I do feel kind of bad how I left things with everyone.” I shifted slightly so his hand was out of reach and I watched his eyebrows rise and fall as he pulled his hand back shoving it in his pocket.

“Even me?” He said standing up shifting his body slightly so it was a bit further away.

A light bulb went off in my head when he said that. I jumped up to get a bottle of water from the fridge.

“That reminds me, I need to call your mother and schedule a session,” I announced as I whipped my head around to make eye contact.

He laughed and said, “Damn, talking about me reminds you that you need therapy. I love it.” He turned and walked toward the fridge, and I grabbed another water, handing one to him. He accepted with a smile and a brush of his fingers over mine.

“Where do you want to go for lunch?” I ignored his previous comment, so we didn’t get into an argument and pretended I didn’t just get turned on by one touch of his hand.

“Can we get Mexican food?” That’s literally the first thing that popped into my head and I blurted it out to move on.

He said, with a bit of irritation, “Sure, anything you want.” I guess he was mad I didn’t comment or because he thought I needed therapy because of him. I’m sure I just need therapy because of me.

“Thanks for the water.” He pecked my cheek with his lips the way you’d kiss a relative.

“Let’s go to lunch, then you can finish your calls. Amelia said you spoke to her about scheduling an interview for Darius.”

He’s good at fixing awkward moments, I’ll give him that; even if he is the one making it awkward.

“Yes, but I’m thinking more about what he can do right now, I guess. Amelia said you haven’t put that division together yet.”

“No, we haven’t, but maybe you can use him to scope out the areas and as soon as we get that training division started he can get into it. I’ll even put him on my payroll to help you.”

That would work but…

“What would he do for me?” I don’t want to put the responsibility of paying Darius on Roman when he’d be working for me. I don’t want to feel like I owe him, either. We’ll definitely be discussing this.

“Just get him familiar with real estate. See what kind of ideas he’s got for finding his new neighborhood. You said he’s got leadership skills, let’s see where he can lead you.”

Yes, perfect.

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