Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Keyes raised a single eyebrow and hesitated on the offering. “We’ve still got another twenty minutes. I don’t need the screen. Dev printed the presentation. Let’s just talk it out.” Dev fully understood that Alec didn’t want to hear another word. Apparently, Keyes hadn’t gotten there yet.
Man, they must have really tanked to have someone as devoted as Alec, preferring to ditch his mister than hear more.
Probably something they should work on.
Or not.
When were they ever going to need this skill again in their lives?
Whatever.
“You convinced me and I’m in. Good job,” Alec said with a smile, lifting a hand for a high five. “Now kiss me goodbye. I have a long rest of my day. I might be late getting home if I don’t get going.”
Keyes didn’t relent and left the high five hanging in the air. “You’re the one who said we’ve gotta find our professional voice. We’re tryin’ to do that. What if we have to find another investor? We gotta know what to do.”
“That was a solid first try, but I’ll handle any future financial presentations. I’ve met a venture capitalist in Dallas who invests in green projects. He’s interested if we need him. We’re not there yet. I want to fund us for as long as I can. You watch my dollars closer than I do so we should be fine.” Alec explained, glancing over at Dev, including him in the conversation.
“Why didn’t you tell me we had someone else interested?” Keyes asked.
“Because we agreed that I handle the finances. We each have a job. Yours is to build, Dev’s is to design, and mine is to manage the finances. We stay in our lanes of responsibility. It’s also the best approach to handling such a partnership to keep the infighting at bay. It’s how business works best,” Alec explained, taking a step back to ensure he saw both his and Keyes’s nods of acceptance. “Now kiss me. I’m feeling insecure. Every time you walk into the building, everyone stares. Kiss me to help my insecure heart.”
Keyes barked out a harsh laugh right in Alec’s face. “They’re not into us. They’re wonderin’ why the poor side of town showed up on their doorstep and what violence we brought with us.”
Dev huffed out a bark of laughter because Keyes was dead on.
Alec shook his head, disagreeing, and puckered again. After a short pause, Keyes finally bent to place his lips on Alec’s. They didn’t linger. Thank Buddha.
“I can see you still have more to say, and I want to hear it. Let’s do it tonight when I’m in the right mental state to listen. I’ll click the button for Dev. It seemed his only participation.”
Dev barked out a laugh at the truth of Alec’s words.
“You’re gonna listen to me while you’re runnin’ on that machine or when you’re cookin’ our dinner,” Keyes said doubtfully.
“It’s called a treadmill, and it’s good for my heart and the housekeeper’s making dinner. I’ll dedicate all night to listening to you,” Alec replied.
Keyes smirked, Alec smiled, and Dev bounced off the table to his feet. Something was happening between the two that he might be unable to scrub from his memory. Those two did that cuddled-up shit all the time.
Dev cleared his throat to gain their attention. “I’m out. Get your crap, Dixon, and meet me in the car. Five minutes max or you’ll have to take Alec’s car home. See you, Alec.” He tossed the deuces over his shoulder as he went through the conference room door.
He felt the success of their new venture in his bones, but he had a thriving business of his own already. A new tattoo parlor where he was booked solid with appointments from now until he died. He had to head back to the parlor so he could finish and get home to his family early tonight.
Chapter Two
Cash
“Daddy’s home,” Mae squealed. The high-pitched frequency she achieved when excited skated along Cash’s nerves until a full-body shiver followed.
Tonight was Cash’s scheduled evening at home. With their busy calendars, they’d had to devise a plan so someone was always home for the girls. He’d been sitting at the kitchen table with Mae and Abi, an iPad in his hand. He read a case file while the girls did their homework. All was forgotten as the distinct sound of Dev’s motorcycle pipes grew louder as he drove up the driveway.
Cash’s own excitement had him getting to his feet.
Where Mae leaped off her seat in a dead run toward the kitchen door, a sedate Abi stayed in her chair, pretending to continue to study. The indifference was a veneer. Something she did to Dev all the time. She had mastered a way of keeping Dev on his toes, making him work for her attention.
Cash was more in line with Mae’s side of things. But before he left the table, he asked Abi quietly, “Do you need a refill?”