Deborah Fletcher Mello - Truly Yours

“Family usually is. Trust me when I tell you that the work I’ve done isn’t all that impressive, either. However, to hear my daughter tell it, you’d think I’d built stairwells past the moon and straight to heaven.”

A soft voice echoed from the entrance behind them. “Actually, Father, I tell people you’ve built stairwells past heaven and into the stratosphere.”

Darryl turned toward the entrance and stared. There was no missing the familial resemblance between Mr. Charles and the young woman entering the room. Without realizing it, Darryl found himself holding his breath. The stunning beauty had commanded his full and undivided attention.

She shared her father’s warm chocolate complexion and large dark eyes. He assumed that the full lips and pouty mouth that begged to be kissed had been inherited from her mother. In the tailored navy skirt and ruffled white blouse she wore, there was no denying the woman had a figure that could make even a strong man beg for her attention. She was curvaceous with a full bustline, whisper-thin waist and pleasingly thick hips. As he stared, Darryl suddenly felt weak, his legs feeling like jelly. He had to fight to shake the unnerving sensation. He took a deep breath and held it.

Mason laughed. “That’s right! Give credit where credit is due!” he said as he moved to wrap the young woman in a quick hug. “How are you, Camryn? It’s good to see you again.”

“I’m doing very well, Mason. It’s good to see you again, too. And congratulations! Father tells me you recently got married!”

“Yes, I did.” Mason grinned. “I hope to introduce you and your father to Phaedra in the very near future.”

The young woman smiled sweetly. “I can’t wait to meet her. It looks like marriage is serving you well.”

“It definitely is!” Mason said, nodding his agreement.

“Camryn, come say hello,” her father interrupted. “Darryl, this is my daughter, Camryn. Cam, this is Mason’s brother Darryl Boudreaux.”

The young woman tilted her head in greeting. There was no missing the good-looking man who’d caught her eye when she’d entered the room. Darryl Boudreaux was quite the male specimen. Standing tall and lean in a black silk suit, white shirt and red necktie, he had distinctive features that hinted at an African-Asian ancestry. He boasted slightly angular eyes, a thin nose, a high cheek line and full, pillow-soft lips. His complexion was a rich, deep umber and Camryn felt her heart quicken a beat or two as she met his intense gaze. “Mr. Boudreaux, it’s my pleasure.”

Still in awe, Darryl stared, his eyes wide, his mouth agape. “You’re Cam Charles?” he questioned as he took her extended hand, her palm gliding like silk against his.

The beautiful woman laughed lightly. “Is that a problem?”

Darryl shook his head, cutting an eye in Mason’s direction. “No, I just wasn’t expecting—”

Mason laughed heartily as he interrupted. “Sorry about that. I think my brother thought you were a man.”

Camryn nodded ever so slightly. “That happens often, but I’m very much a woman,” she said with a soft chuckle that made Darryl smile. She pulled her hand from his, acutely aware of the hold he had on her fingers. The two were still studying each other intently.

Darryl finally shook the daze that had consumed him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Charles,” he said.

“Please, call me Camryn,” she said, “or Cam.”

Darryl nodded as he pulled a chair out for Camryn and gestured for her father to take a seat. He caught his brother’s eye and nodded. “Shall we get down to business?”

Hours later, Darryl pulled at the necktie around his neck. Like his brother and Kenneth Charles, he’d tossed his suit jacket aside some time ago. The back-and-forth banter between the two companies was beginning to take its toll on all of them.

“I don’t agree,” Darryl was saying. “You have to keep the safety factor first and foremost in the design.”

“I’m fully aware of that,” Camryn responded, clearly perturbed by his insinuations. “However, the aesthetic value of the building and how it will complement the landscape is equally as important.”

Darryl shrugged his broad shoulders as he tossed his ink pen to the tabletop. He took a deep breath, totally annoyed that Camryn Charles was challenging him.

“I’m sorry, but what actually will your role be in this project?” Camryn suddenly asked. She was staring directly at Darryl, the two having already butted heads over more than that one issue.

Standing, Darryl leaned over the table, his weight resting on his arms. “Pro-ject man-a-ger,” he replied, uttering each syllable distinctly. “It’s my responsibility to see that this project comes in well within budget, to our exact specifications. I will be accountable for every single detail, including the specifics of the final design.”

Camryn rolled her eyes. It hadn’t taken long for her to realize that Darryl Boudreaux was going to be a royal pain in her well-rounded behind. The man had criticized, critiqued and questioned every suggestion and comment that she’d had. With the way he’d been hammering her, you would have thought that she’d had no previous experience in the design and building industry. Clearly, the man didn’t have a clue and she didn’t appreciate him being so confrontational. She also didn’t have a problem letting him know how she felt.

Camryn came to her feet, as well, crossing her arms over her chest as she met his gaze evenly. Annoyance tapped the toe of her leather pump. “And tell me again what makes you qualified for the job, because from my perspective our firm is more than capable of meeting your brother’s wish list without outside supervision.”

Darryl bristled. “Perhaps, but my brother would be unwise to not have a system of checks and balances. You don’t build a multimillion-dollar office complex by putting all your eggs in one basket. And as far as my qualifications go, I have a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and I’m a licensed building contractor. My forte is my penchant for details. All aspects of the details. So I am more than capable of overseeing this project and you.”

Both Mason and Kenneth leaned back in their seats, obviously amused by the standoff. Mason chuckled softly. “I think this is a good time to call it a day,” he said calmly. He cut his eye toward Kenneth. “We can pick this back up tomorrow, same time.”

Kenneth nodded. “I agree. But I’m also thinking that it would probably be a very good idea for Camryn and Darryl to get to know each other better, especially since they’re going to be working so closely together.” He picked up his iPad and typed into the keypad. “Do you eat seafood, Darryl?” he inquired. His gaze never left his device. “And sit down, Camryn!” Kenneth commanded.

“Yes, sir,” Darryl answered, still squared off against the man’s daughter.

Camryn huffed as she finally dropped back into her seat. Darryl followed, each still eyeing the other warily.

Kenneth continued. “Camryn loves seafood. My secretary will make reservations for you two for dinner. You don’t have anything planned, do you, Darryl?” he said, finally lifting his eyes to look at the young man.

Mason interjected. “No, sir. Darryl has no plans whatsoever. He’s here to work, no matter what that might entail. Isn’t that right, Darryl?” he said, answering on his brother’s behalf.

“Good,” Kenneth said, nodding his head. “Camryn is free, as well.”

“Father!”

He ignored his daughter’s treaty, dropping his gaze back to his electronic device. “You two kids have seven o’clock dinner reservations at The Bourbon House. Take the time to ask whatever you need to ask each other so that we can finalize the details of this project when we meet tomorrow. Is that clear, Cam?” he said firmly.