Page 45 of OutFoxed

Libby pressed the button on her desk that told Merry she was needed at the door. “I believe you left something with her. Ah, here she is.”

Merry opened her door and grinned. The guys nodded to Libby, and she nodded in return.

Ula’s batch walked up next to her and was directed to Ula.

The do not disturb lights flared to life, and Libby smiled and sent for a desk filler for when she went to the meeting.

The moment that Aida arrived was not a moment too soon. “Hey, Aida. Both Merry and Ula are not to be disturbed. Their bondings are very new.”

Aida was a serious woman ten years from retirement, but she grinned. “How new?”

“Last week for both of them. They do have to do things at the same time.” She grabbed her tablet and stylus and smiled. “I have to head to the big conference room.”

“I will be here until four-thirty if you need me.”

“Thanks. Ignore any repetitive thumping from the offices, and the bathrooms were fully stocked this morning. They should emerge looking ruffled and with silly grins.” Her phone chimed. “Right. I have to go.”

“Have fun.”

“Ah, taking minutes is always delightful, not.”

She headed to the elevator and dropped a level.

Libby smiled at the assistants and workers in the office. She walked to the conference room and nodded to Altar while she slipped into a corner and got her tablet out and stylus ready.

Altar was speaking to some women and men in expensively stylish office attire. When she started to speak, Libby activated the recording and started to take notes on everything. The people were from Mayhew Venture and were offering to provide funding for a number of child-centric projects around the city. They needed plenty of consulting, plenty of input, and a liaison at the foundation.

Altar asked, “Libby, will you be our liaison?”

Libby looked up and smiled innocently. “I can think of seven members of staff who are better matches.”

One of the women, an older woman with elegant silver hair, replied, “You have been requested specifically.”

“That is unusual. I rarely have contact with corporations.” She looked at Altar with a bland expression.

Altar sighed. “Are you going to be difficult?”

“That is the trait I am known for.”

The older woman blinked. “Elias mentioned you by name, miss.”

“I am sure he did, but I was just innocently sitting while getting gently bodychecked by him. No flirting, no charm, and no chance.”

“Hm. Let me make a call.”

The woman got up and left the room while Altar walked over at Libby and glared down at her. “You can’t just agree to this? He doesn’t want to fuck you on a table; you just need to be our representative during the meetings.”

“I don’t want to learn all the zoning requirements of playgrounds. It is hard enough dealing with donors and angels.”

Altar snorted. “You would know.”

“Shut it, Madame.”

Altar narrowed her eyes. “Wait. You do know about kids.”

“Of course, I do. I have a bajillion nieces and nephews. I just don’t know about easements, legalities, distance of sidewalk to play area... any of that.”

“Fine. You are on assignment to this project series until its completion. Maximum five hours per week.”

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