Page 46 of OutFoxed

She wrinkled her nose and nodded. “Hooray, you finally remembered you were my boss. Fine. I will be there, but I can guarantee you that I am not going to be useful.”

“I expect nothing less.” Altar shook her hand.

Libby shook her friend’s hand. “Fine. But I am going to be a raging bitch.”

“If you think so. I know you can’t maintain it.”

“You don’t have to be mean.”

Altar chuckled.

The older woman came in and spoke to Altar who quietly replied with a gentle gesture toward Libby. The other woman smiled brightly. “Oh, thank you, Ms. Bright. He’s difficult to deal with, but he is suddenly so careful that it makes my head spin.”

“Ma’am, I have agreed to attend meetings.” She gritted her teeth, “And to represent the JN Foundation and its interests as well as the interests of the communities in which these playgrounds will be assembled. For five hours a week until the conclusion of the projects.”

The woman beamed. “May I call him up? He stayed in the lobby because he sensed you would be nervous if he were here. I swear, I have never seen my son give a rat’s ass for anyone’s comfort.”

“Uh, sure. You are his mom?”

The woman, who had to be Mrs. Mayhew, grinned. “Yes, I am.”

“How did he fit?”

The older woman laughed. “He was smaller at birth. Even I wince when I see him now. So, I can allow him up?”

Libby shrugged and said, “It isn’t my company.”

Altar snorted. “Please, Mrs. Mayhew. Elias is welcome here.”

“Excellent.” Mrs. Mayhew lifted her phone and pressed a single button. “There we go.”

Libby smiled and got to her feet, towering over the smaller woman and even Altar’s five foot eleven inches. “I had better get these notes transcribed.”

Altar snorted. “Wait for the elevator.”

“No, pretty sure I can make it up before the elevator gets here. Wouldn’t want to waste company time.”

She grinned and darted out of the conference room and was just passing the elevators when the door opened and Elias walked out. Libby brought herself up short on her toes to keep from slamming into him.

“Miss Baker, I thought you were in the meeting.” He looked down at her.

“I took notes. Meeting is over. I have to go and do my job now.”

“You will be with us on this project?” His dark eyes gleamed.

She stared up at him and noted that others in the open office were silent. She grimaced. “Let me show you to the conference room.”

“Thank you.” He chuckled. “You don’t want your coworkers staring.”

“I don’t want them crafting a new theory.” She turned and stalked back the way she had come. His long strides easily kept pace with her.

“You are taller than I thought.” His low voice caressed her ears.

“Your mother is smaller than I thought.”

“And yet, she is so sweet and gets her way all the time.”

She smirked. “Well, she is up to use her powers on your behalf.”

---