North Star
Page 23
“Yes, I want to hit the ground running when our plane lands back at Newark. There’s only so much sightseeing a man can do.”
“I was under the impression that a honeymoon was about something more that taking pictures and shopping for souvenirs.”
A deep chuckle came from the phone. “Yeah, you’re right, but at the moment we’re just getting checked-in so I wanted to make sure we were on the same page before I get lost in that beautiful wife of mine.”
“Speaking of Caresse, how did you get past her with this phone call?”
“Oh, she’s headed upstairs to unpack while I’m meeting with the concierge about arranging a romantic dinner for two in town. So, what’s on your agenda today?”
Gray glanced over his Outlook calendar on his computer screen. “Not much, just working on a new proposal to run by you next month.”
“I’m glad you’re proactive on the marketing front but I’m beginning to think I created an unbalanced worker. On the day I choose to close Psyche and give everyone an extra day off, you decide to work instead of snuggling next to some cutie?”
“Hey, don’t start. If I was next to a woman, I wouldn’t have been able to take your long-distance call.”
“That’s what voicemail is for, my friend. You need a vacation.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll take one once your sister gets back to work. Lord knows I’ll be so tired of seeing both of your vacation pictures and hearing your travel stories that I’ll be begging for time off.”
“You have a point. I’d better get back to my honeymoon before the little lady comes looking for me. Later.”
When Graham disconnected, Gray thought about his own dreams of settling down. He was so tired of the type of ladies he was encountering each week. They were nice enough, and pretty enough, but since they weren’t Laila, his interest faded pretty fast. He wanted her. There was no doubt about it. But did Laila want a life with him?
She was still in her party stage and a sudden trip to South Beach had shattered any hope that her latest heartbreak would make her want the stability of a lasting relationship. Part of him wanted to stroll onto whatever beach she was sunbathing on to show her what a real man could offer. He knew he had a body that could outshine those young beachcombing playas because his defined muscles came from years of helping his uncles on their construction site. And if he had to defend Laila’s honor it wouldn’t take much to swat some leeching gigolo who tried to spoil her relaxing vacation.
Gray took a long sip of his cooled coffee and returned staring at his computer screen. He reduced the proposal file and opened his pictures folder. On the subfolder marked ‘LS’ he clicked his cursor and watched twenty photos of Laila display across his screen. He clicked on the one of the first weekend they met. She stood in front of his towering body and smiled as he helped place her jacket around her shoulders. The photo had been captured at the end of the Psyche anniversary luncheon by Kathy, Graham’s assistant.
At first, Gray had been annoyed at the intrusion but when Kathy had placed an apology card in his mailbox with a CD of the photo file all was forgiven. The CD revealed a look on Laila’s face that showed complete happiness and security and he knew their conversation had had something to do with it. He remembered remarking that she seemed to be too much of a woman for a nickname like ‘La La’.
And she’d responded, with a sexy smile, You’re right. I’ve outgrown the moniker but family members have a hard time separating the little girl from the grown woman. Since you see the woman, please call me Laila.
He found himself looking at the photo whenever she was away from the office. It made him feel better somehow. Part of him wanted to call her but without a work-related reason to interrupt her fun, he dismissed the thought. She’s partying in South Beach and, knowing the men down there, it’s only a matter of time before she’s forgetting about her heartaches in some guy’s arms, he thought as he lowered the screen.