Deborah Mello - Stallion Magic

The man continued to extol Noah’s virtues and the benefits of working for a private firm as opposed to his current government job. Then he made note of the starting salary and Noah’s eyes widened.

“We have some negotiating room if you demand more,” Frederick said. “Management is looking to take the company public so we can negotiate stock options and a host of other benefits, including a company car and free air travel. You’ll be based here but we’ll require some of your time in our New York and Atlanta offices, so you’ll have to travel. I really believe you would be a great asset to our organization or I wouldn’t have recommended you.”

Noah’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “You recommended me? I’m surprised.”

“Don’t be. I actually ran into one of your brothers and he told me what you did. After a little research I knew you’d be the perfect fit.”

“I’ll need some time to think about it,” Noah said, his mind beginning to race.

Frederick nodded. “You’ll receive a formal offer from us in the next forty-eight hours. Then I can give you another seven days to mull it over. But after that I’ll need an answer.”

“I appreciate that,” Noah responded.

“So, are you going to the class reunion?” Frederick questioned, changing the subject. He leaned back in his leather executive’s chair, folding his hands together in his lap.

Noah shrugged, his full lips pulling into a warm smile. “I’ve been thinking about it. It’ll be good to see everybody again.”

“I was thinking the same thing although I’m not sure that I’ll be in town that weekend. But if I can work it into my schedule, I think I might stop by. It’ll be good to pound fists with the guys again.”

For a few brief moments the two men walked memory lane, recalling their days together on the football and track teams. Both were laughing heartily when Noah glanced down to his wristwatch.

“I hate to do this but I need to get back to the station. It was good to see you, Frederick. I appreciate you offering me this opportunity,” Noah said again. “I’ll be in touch.”

Both men came to their feet and shook hands. “I really hope you’ll come on board,” Frederick reiterated. “I promise that working here will be quite the experience.”

“You’ll hear from me soon,” Noah promised.

Walking to the elevator, the old acquaintances were still knee deep in conversation when the door opened on the conveyor. Noah stopped short when he caught sight of the beautiful woman from earlier. Once again she was lost in the digital screen of her electronic device.

* * *

Catherine Moore stepped out of the elevator. She came to an abrupt stop as the two men moved in front of her. She took a quick glance one way and then the other before settling her eyes on Noah Stallion’s face. A bright smile widened across her own.

“Why do you look familiar?” she questioned, eyeing Noah curiously.

“We did just run into each other. Literally,” he said, amusement crossing over his expression.

She shook her head, tossing Frederick a brief look. “No, we’ve met before. I’m sure of it.”

Frederick laughed. “Noah Stallion, allow me to introduce you to Cat Moore, CEO and owner of Fly High Dot Com. Catherine Moore, this is Noah Stallion. You probably remember him from Bountiful High School. We all graduated together.”

Noah’s eyes widened, surprise registering on his face. “Catherine Moore? Head cheerleader, Catherine Moore?”

“Now that was a long time ago!” Catherine laughed. She repeated his name once and then a second time, hesitating briefly as she tried to put more familiarity to the face. She finally nodded. “Noah Stallion. Our senior year you played football for the Bountiful Braves, second string quarterback, right? Everyone used to wonder how you made the team.”

“I was quick and fast on my feet, that’s how I made the team,” Noah said as he shook his head.

Catherine nodded, the memories coming back to her. “Actually, you were really good. People wondered why you didn’t play before senior year. So, why didn’t you play before then?” she asked.

He smiled. “Family obligations.”

She nodded, studying the look that glistened in his dark eyes. “You were kind of nerdy with glasses back then. And really thin!”

Noah laughed. “I was not that thin.”

Her eyes skated the length of his body, and she thought that he’d definitely filled out quite nicely. She bit down against her bottom lip, her eyes glistening as she lifted her gaze back to his. “Didn’t we have a class together?” she asked.

“We actually had two classes together. Biology and Spanish. You sat two rows behind me in Miss Garcia’s Spanish class.”

Catherine’s smile widened. “Miss Garcia! I did not like that woman!” she exclaimed.

Noah chuckled with understanding. “I don’t think many of us did. But that was a long time ago.”

Catherine extended her hand to shake his. His grip was strong, his palm and fingers warm and soft. His touch was electric, sending a shiver of heat down her spine. She took a deep breath before speaking again.

“Well, it was nice to see you again, Noah Stallion.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Catherine,” he answered, his smile warm and endearing.

Frederick patted him on the back. “We’ll talk soon, Noah,” he said.

Catherine and Frederick both stood watching as the elevator doors closed on Noah’s exit. She then turned her gaze toward Frederick. “Catching up with your old pals now?”

“Something like that. He was interviewing for the security position.”

She nodded, finding that tidbit of information interesting.

“Are you going to the high school reunion? Noah was just saying that he might go and I was thinking about it.”

Catherine shrugged her narrow shoulders. “I really hadn’t thought about it. Too much on my mind with the IPO process. Speaking of, how are we doing with all the reports the underwriters need?”

“Still on schedule.”

She nodded, then without another word, headed in the opposite direction.

Behind the closed doors of her office, Catherine moved to the window, hoping for one last glimpse of Noah Stallion as he maneuvered through the parking lot to his car. She caught sight of him just as he reached his vehicle. She stood staring as he removed his suit jacket and laid it on his backseat.

Gone were the wire-framed glasses, and there was nothing nerdy, thin or awkward about the man. The former high school jock had blossomed nicely, she thought, her gaze following as he slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Seconds later he pulled into traffic and disappeared from sight.

Catherine moved to the bookcase behind her desk, searching the tomes that lined the shelves. Her friends had sent her a package recently, trying to entice her to attend their high school reunion. When she finally found what she was looking for, a copy of their high school yearbook, she pulled it into her hands and placed it on top of the desk. She flipped through the pages quickly until she found Noah’s yearbook picture. There had been no change to his smile and the shimmer in his dark eyes, both just as they’d been when he’d been a teen. Catherine felt herself grinning foolishly as she flipped from one photo to another: Noah and the football team, Noah running track, Noah on stage in a theater production, Noah’s senior portrait.

She reached for her cell phone, hitting the speed dial for her best friend Camille Trent. “Hey, do you remember Noah Stallion?” she asked immediately when the line was answered.

Camille laughed. “Yeah, he’s a police detective now. One of his brothers plays professional football and the other is a doctor. And he has two sisters. Why?”