Tell Me Something Good (28 page)

“Really?”

He nodded. “My car turned down this street
and parked outside the gallery. I can’t explain it.”

“That is strange. You should get that car
checked out.”

“Nah, the car is just fine. It brought me
where I needed to be.” Noel sat down.

“I’ve decided to keep our relationship
strictly business.” Lyrissa lifted her chin when she looked at
him.

“Because of your professional reputation,” he
said.

“Yes.” Lyrissa turned away from his gorgeous
brown eyes.

“Is this a game?” he snapped.

“We shouldn’t have gotten carried away.”

“More than once,” he put in.

“Whatever. I realized what a mistake we were
making. That’s all.”

Noel leaned forward. “I wouldn’t call the way
we touched a mistake.”

Lyrissa gazed at him. The strong jaw and
beautiful lines of his face hypnotized her. Noel St. Denis inspired
lustful fantasies with just the lift of one dark eyebrow.

“The invitation is still open. I cook one
mean pasta dinner,” Noel said.

“I can’t. Really.” Lyrissa tried to ignore
the way her body craved him. If he’d just leave, she might get
through the day.

“We have to finish planning the show,
Lyrissa.” Noel frowned at her. “Your professional reputation is at
stake, remember?”

“I’ll iron out the details with Keisha.” She
stood her ground.

“No, you’ll deal with the boss.”

“Business only,” Lyrissa said firmly. She was
surprised when he smiled at her.

He held out a large hand. “Goodbye,
Lyrissa.”

She had no choice but to take it. Lyrissa
braced herself for the reaction. Still she tingled when his warm
flesh met hers. “Goodbye,” she said.

Noel started to walk out, and then turned to
face her again. “I have a feeling we’ll talk again.”

“You don’t give up.”

“Like you said, I’m used to having my way.”
He left.

Lyrissa had to admit his confidence aroused
her. “Lord have mercy,” she said in a shaky voice.

Noel rocked in his chair and tapped the tip
of his pen on the tabletop. Carlton, Julie, and two other employees
sat around the table in the small conference room adjacent to his
office. They gave their usual mid-week reports, a practice Noel had
started when he became CEO. Andre’s voice was only background buzz
to Noel’s thoughts.

Once again he wondered where Lyrissa was at
this moment and what she was doing. For the past three days he’d
thought about her at odd moments, suddenly daydreaming while stuck
in traffic or sitting in his office. Lyrissa Rideau had
accomplished a feat no other woman had before—she’d become a
distraction. Noel’s reaction swung between excitement, irritation
at himself, and anxiety that he was not in control.

“So that’s it. The micro-mall on Crowder
Boulevard is now at fifty-percent occupancy. We really need to
renovate to attract new tenants,” Andre said.

“Renovation might be an option. What do you
think, Noel?” Julie asked. “Noel,” she repeated louder when he
didn’t answer.

He glanced around them with a slight frown.
“What?” Carlton lifted an eyebrow at him. “We’ve been talking about
the mall on Crowder for the last fifteen minutes.” Noel smoothed
down his silk tie. “I know that,” he replied shortly and stopped
rocking his chair. “Thanks for the report, Andre.”

“And the renovations?” Carlton pursed his
lips. “Renovations?” Noel blinked at him.

“Yes, we were discussing the possibility of
attracting new tenants. Obviously your mind is elsewhere,” Julie
said in a tense voice.

“Andre mentioned it to me two weeks ago.
Excellent idea.” Noel nodded at the young man. “In fact I’ve
already talked to several contractors about bids.”

“I say we sell. The whole area has gone down.
Stats show that the upwardly mobile are moving to Chalmette and
Mandeville. Let’s follow the money,” Carlton said.

“We should help revitalize these
neighborhoods. The people who can’t move need drugstores, grocery
stores, and dress shops, too.” Noel looked at his cousin.

“That property isn’t profitable and won’t be
for years,” Carlton replied. “What we need is to increase income,
remember?”

“We will in other ways,” Noel said
evenly.

“A sale would bring a substantial infusion of
money to help cash flow,” Carlton persisted.

“We’re working to create an enterprise zone,”
Noel said. “In the short term we won’t make as much money. In the
long term the tax breaks combined with a vibrant community-based
economy will be very profitable.”

“Most enterprise zones don’t. Besides, we’re
a business, not a charity. I’m talking about the bottom line.”

Noel decided he’d been patient long enough.
“So am I, Carlton. As for the mall, the board agrees with me.” He
stood to signal the meeting was over. “Andre, Eddie has a list of
small business owners you can contact.”

“Yes, sir,” Andre said.

“Schedule appointments within the next two
weeks. Mention the renovations, too.” Noel glanced at Carlton’s
tight expression.

“Got it.” Andre made notes then left.

Carlton didn’t stand or follow him out.
Instead he stared at Noel. “You couldn’t at least pretend to
respect my opinion in front of the employees?” he barked.

“I’m tired of listening to you say the same
thing in every meeting. Same song, tenth verse,” Noel said
tersely.

“You mean I don’t agree with everything the
brilliant Noel says,” Carlton shot back.

“This train is pulling out of the station.
Ride or get off!” Noel wore a fierce expression.

“Oh, no. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here
right until the day they realize you can’t deliver,” Carlton said
coldly. He shoved back his chair, stood, and strode out.

“If he spent as much energy doing his job,
we’d all be richer,” Noel retorted.

“Maybe you should be nicer to him,” Julie
said. “Carl-ton might cause you real trouble one day.”

Noel waved a hand. “He’ll try to hurt me, but
not the business. I’m not worried about him.”

“People will do anything if they’re pushed
into a corner.” Julie gazed at him.

“Are we talking about Carlton, Julie?” Noel
studied her until she looked away.

“Of course.” She gathered up her copies of
the reports and a legal pad. “I’m just saying you shouldn’t forget
that family and friends are important, too.”

“Right. I’ll try to remember that.” Noel went
into his office.

Julie followed him and closed the connecting
door. “You seem out of it these days.”

“I’m juggling ten different business issues
on any given day. Guess I’m on edge. But I’m making progress, at
least.” He went to his desk and shuffled through a stack of phone
messages.

“I’m talking personal now. You put in long
days at the office.” Julie came around his desk and put down the
papers.

“Don’t worry about me.” Noel pinched the
bridge of his nose. “I know when to stop.”

“Do you?”

He glanced at her. “I’ve been taking care of
myself for a long time now.”

Julie smiled at him. “I know. Maybe you need
to get away for a while. This is the perfect time for a trip to the
beach. You know, I have a condo in Crystal Springs, Florida.”
“That’s nice of you to offer it to me, but I’m really too tied up
at the moment.” Noel pretended to misunderstand the invitation.

“Look, we could make a big push to prepare
for a weekend away and—” She massaged his arm as though to soothe
him.

“No,” he said gently.

She jerked her hand away. “Don’t make a fool
of yourself with that Miss Social Climber!”

“We’ve had this discussion about us.” Noel
stared at her steadily. “Let’s not have it again, Julie.”

“No, let’s not,” Julie hissed. She snatched
up her files. “I’ve heard the speech. So you’re sleeping with her.
You’ll get what you deserve, then.”

“Look, Julie, we’ve known each other too
long. Let’s not lose our friendship.” Noel realized instantly that
he’d poured gasoline on the flames.

Julie’s eyes flashed. “Perfect, I get the
‘Let’s be friends’ speech,” she yelled.

“I’m not...” Noel walked toward her.

“I’ll find a way to live without you, Noel
St. Denis.” Julie’s bottom lip trembled. “In fact, I plan to live
very well without you!” She spun and left, slamming his office door
behind her.

Noel groaned in frustration. “I’ll just fire
everybody and nm the damn place alone,” he muttered.

Minutes later his grandmother came in after a
perfunctory knock. “Hello, son. What did you say to Julie? She
seems upset.”

“Why assume I’m the cause?” he said
irritably.

“Because she came from your office and she’s
madly in love with you,” Miss Georgina replied in matter-of-fact
tone.

“I don’t think love enters into it with
Julie, Grandmother. I’m the perfect mating stock for her, that’s
all.” Noel got up and poured them both a cup of coffee from the
carafe on his credenza.

“I’ve told you what I think of that kind of
attitude. I don’t want to have the same discussion again,” Miss
Georgina scolded.

“Good, because I have it memorized.” Noel
took a deep breath and let it out. “Now, sweet lady, I’ve got a lot
of work today.” Noel used the same blunt manner she used.

“Then I’ll get right to the point. Stop this
exhibition. I don’t like it.” Miss Georgina folded her hands in her
lap.

“Lyrissa is doing a lot of hard work to make
it a class act. She’s got media interested and top art critics
excited about seeing the collection.”

“I don’t care. Cancel it.” Miss Georgina wore
an inflexible expression.

“Impossible at this stage. We’ve invested too
much and invitations have already gone out. We have a lot at
stake.”

“More than you know,” she replied
gravely.

Noel frowned at her. “Meaning?”

Miss Georgina did not answer him. Instead she
rose and went to her late husband’s portrait on the wall. She
studied it in silence for a time, and then turned to face Noel
again.

“How much does the family name mean to you?”
she asked.

“You know the answer to that, Grandmother.
But what does that have to do with the show?”

“We can make Tremé Corporation great again
without sacrificing family privacy. Lyrissa Rideau doesn’t
under-stand and never will. I don’t like the way she’s intruding on
us.” She lifted her nose in the air.

“Don’t be ridiculous. We gave her access to
the family archives. You knew she needed to search for information
on the collection.” Noel smiled indulgently. “Lyrissa has done a
fine job and she’s very discreet."

“I don’t agree on either count. I want you to
stop her,” Miss Georgina commanded.

“People will definitely talk if we cancel at
this point.” Noel got up and crossed to her. “Look, cher, a few
dusty old skeletons won’t matter.”

“Noel Phillip, you care more about an affair
with that woman than you do about my feelings.”

Noel wrestled with his temper for the third
time that morning. He swallowed a tart reply. “Grandmother, tell me
what this is really about.”

“I don’t know what you mean. And don’t try to
change the subject,” she said stubbornly.

Noel’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t about
Lyrissa. You’re hiding something. Don’t withhold information from
me, especially if it affects this company.”

“I don’t see why ancient slander should
matter, but...” Her voice trailed off as she twisted the leather
handle of her purse.

“Out with it,” Noel prompted.

“Some disreputable nobodies accused our
ancestors of being less than honest I don’t think digging up that
kind of unfounded garbage is necessary,” she said defensively.

He let out a short laugh that made her scowl
at him in disapproval, then went back to his desk. “Is that all?
Darlin’, I’m afraid no one will be shocked to hear those stories
again.”

“I don’t find anything funny about mud being
slung on our family reputation!” Miss Georgina said sharply.
“Be-sides, there are lurid details you haven’t heard. Lies, of
course—but all the same....”

“Such as?”

“Nothing was ever proved,” she blurted out.
When Noel continued to stare at her hard, she went on. “There were
stories that some of the art was not acquired properly.” “You mean
stolen,” he said dryly.

Miss Georgina pretended she hadn’t heard him.
“Then there was the matter of an affair your great-great-great-
grandmother had with—well, never mind who with. Her husband died
after a brief illness and there were filthy whispers. None of it
true, of course. And then—”

“Wait a minute!” Noel cut in. “How many
skeletons are we talking about here?”

“No one in our family has ever been to jail,”
she replied haughtily.

“Sounds like some of them should have been
tossed in prison. Damn!” He rubbed his jaw.

His grandmother sat forward with a grim
expression on her proud face. “All lies from jealous competitors.
There are still people who resent our status. Lyrissa Rideau
strikes me as one of those people. All this talk about art history
could be just a cover.”

“Lyrissa is only interested in doing research
on the art. Remember, we asked her to. She’s not planning to sell
our story to the tabloids!”

“Stop thinking with your hormones. That woman
has no loyalty to us. She’s gone way beyond doing an
appraisal.”

“You’re being silly about this whole thing.
Lyrissa hasn’t done anything without my knowledge.”

“Julie can handle the collection from now on.
She has the experience. She handled the estate sale when her
grandmother died. She says—”

“Julie. I should have guessed she had
something to do with this. She’s out of line discussing this with
you. I’m going to set her straight.” Noel glared at her.