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  He leaned forward. “I believe the trip will provide us with an opportunity to evaluate several suggestions Mr. Landmark has and to come up with a few of our own. Another team from our West Coast office is being assembled to ultimately take over the handling of this project, but right now they need us to fly out there and smooth things over with Mr. Landmark.”

  Sage nodded. She had heard through the grapevine that Denmark had gotten a nice contract with Landmark Industries, a company known for its upscale industrial parks and shopping malls. And if she wasn’t mistaken, she recalled reading in Black Enterprise magazine that the construction company awarded the contract to build the resort was owned by two black men from Detroit. That in itself was impressive.

  “I’d love to attend the seminar, Mr. Poole.”

  “Good. I’ve also invited Rose Woods to represent our advertising department. The meeting is next week.”

  Sage nodded. She liked Rose and considered her a good friend as well as a coworker. They were the only two sistahs with management positions within the company. Occasionally, they got together after work for drinks and to talk. In a company like Denmark where competition was the name of the game, it was important that they maintained a clear head, kept their feet level with the ground, stayed in constant prayer and watched each other’s backs. “Thanks, sir. Is there anything else?”

  “No, Ms. Dunbar, that will be all. Again I want to commend you and your staff on a job well done.”

  She smiled as she stood. “Thank you, Mr. Poole.”

  “Girl, I can’t believe Stephen Poole is taking the both of us, two sistahs, with him to that meeting in Alaska. You should have seen Grace Holder’s face when he announced it this morning in our weekly staff meeting. She thought that she would be the one going with him.”

  “Grace thought she would be going?” Sage asked after taking a large sip of iced tea. They had met after work at a soul food restaurant they frequently patronized. “Why would she think that? You have more seniority with the company.”

  Rose grinned. “I think mainly because the two of them have been sleeping together.”

  Sage leaned back in her chair, shocked. Grace had begun working for the company right out of college a little over a year ago, and Sage thought Grace had a steady boyfriend. “Grace and Mr. Poole? You got to be kidding.”

  “No, I’m not, although I admit he’s been more discreet with her than the others, probably because of their ages, but I know for a fact something is going on. Last month I came back to the office one night after remembering I had left something. It was late, way past eleven o’clock, and I ran into them coming out of his office.”

  “That late at night?”

  “Yes, and it was evident from the looks on their faces that they had been caught doing something. And although Grace had tried putting her clothes back on straight, it was obvious she had been out of them.”

  Sage’s eyes widened. “But what about her boyfriend? The one who lives in D.C. and works for the government. The last I heard they were talking marriage.”

  “They broke up a few months ago, and she was all shook up about it. I guess with Stephen Poole’s help, she’s gotten over him.”

  Sage shook her head, shocked at the number of women in the office who were or had been involved with Mr. Poole. She couldn’t help wondering what was going on with him. He was taking affairs in the workplace to a whole new level. “What is it with him?” she finally asked Rose. “Hasn’t he heard of sexual harassment in the workplace?”

  Rose grinned. “I guess in his estimation, it’s consenting sex and not harassment. From what I’ve heard, he makes it understood that sleeping with him isn’t a guarantee of any special treatment or advancement within the company. In other words, any woman sharing his bed is wasting her time if she thinks she’s banging her way to the top.”

  Sage shook her head. “Then, why do it?”

  Rose chuckled. “I guess some of them get off at the thought of sleeping with the boss. But then, Sage, you have to admit he’s pretty good on the eyes for an older man, suave and sexy. Hell, he could pass for Richard Gere’s twin, and that’s saying a lot.”

  Sage did have to admit the man was good-looking, but he just didn’t do anything for her and told Rose as much. But from the way Rose’s eyes were sparkling, evidently he did do something for her. “But don’t you think he’s too old for Grace? She’s only twenty-three.”

  “That’s for Grace to decide if he’s too old for her. Besides, age is nothing but a number,” Rose said, grinning. “And in some situations, experience counts, trust me,” she continued with a smirky grin on her face. “And to come to Mr. Poole’s defense, it’s not uncommon after a divorce or the end of a long-term relationship for one or both parties to start engaging in safe sexual marathons. Especially if there was a lack of sexual satisfaction in the prior relationship.”

  Rose leaned in closer to whisper, “While a senior in high school, I dated the same guy exclusively for a year and not once experienced an orgasm until after going off to college and sleeping with older, experienced guys. Then I was pissed to find out what I’d been missing out on.” She inhaled deeply before continuing. “As far as Mr. Poole goes, I’ve seen his wife the few times she’s come into the office, all prim and proper acting and who don’t look the type to do the nasty for fear of getting her hair messed up. Now he’s like a kid set free in a candy store. He intends to sample all the treats he’s been missing during his twenty years of marriage. Pretty soon he’ll develop a stomachache from overindulging and settle down with just one treat—or in his case, one woman. And if he’s as good in bed as the rumor mill claims, he won’t have a problem finding a woman with a robust sexual appetite to match his own.”

  Sage said nothing in response to Rose’s summation. She couldn’t help but wonder what Rose’s reaction would be if Mr. Poole were to hit on her. Had he already? Had Rose’s name been added to the list of women who were enjoying whatever it was Stephen Poole was dishing out? A part of her wanted to ask but quickly decided it really wasn’t any of her business. Rose was twenty-eight, two years older than she was, and could definitely take care of herself.

  Besides, she had been friends with Rose long enough to know she had a thing against a committed relationship with a man. She enjoyed engaging in affairs, which was basically the very thing Mr. Poole was doing.

  She had once asked Rose what the advantages of affairs versus committed relationships were. Rose had been quick to tell her it was a sure way not to get hurt by love, and for someone who’d been severely burned twice, Rose had no intentions of letting her heart rule her mind again.

  When Sage got home later that evening and played back her messages, there was one from her mother asking her to call back as soon as she got in.

  “Mom, you wanted something?” she asked after placing the call. For years her mother had worked as a sales clerk for one of the major department stores and had recently gotten promoted to manager of her department. Her mother was a person who embraced life to the fullest and was quick to give a helping hand to others. Sage didn’t know of any other person with such a strong constitution who proved there was such a thing as super-woman. Sometimes she wondered where her mother got her energy.

  “Yes, sweetheart? How was your day?”

  “Busy as usual. Mr. Poole wants me to go out of town with him next week to Alaska.”

  “Alaska? This is rather sudden, isn’t it? And how long will you be gone?”

  “Yes, it’s unexpected, and I’ll probably be gone for at least a week.”

  “Well, we need to get together before you leave to start planning your wedding.”

  “Mom, this is September. The wedding takes place in June. By my calculations I have nine months,” Sage said. She could see it coming. She had told her parents that she wanted a small wedding, but knowing her mother, her words had gone in one ear and had come out the other. There was no doubt in Sage’s mind that Delores Dunbar intended to give her just the
opposite of what she’d asked for. Her mother had waited a long time for her only child to finally decide to get married, and she planned to do it up in style whether she wanted her to or not.

  “Nine months will be here before you know it, Sage. If you don’t believe me, just ask any woman who’s had a baby recently.”

  Sage knew to argue with her mother would be pointless. In the end she would get her way regardless. Besides being superwoman, she was also super stubborn. Her father had told her long ago he had learned to just let her mother have her way and be through with it. “All right, Mom, how does your schedule look on Friday?” she asked, knowing although that was her mother’s day off from work, she probably had a zillion and one things lined up to do. “If you’re free, we can do lunch.”

  “Friday is a good day for me, and lunch sounds like a wonderful idea. Maybe we can talk your father into joining us.”

  Sage chuckled. “I doubt Dad will want to sit through lunch while we make wedding plans, not even with the enticement of a free meal.”

  “Yes, but we should ask him anyway. I’m concerned about him, honey. He’s been working a lot of late hours at the office. Inviting him to have lunch with us will be a way of getting him away from work for a while. And he’ll do it if you were to ask him. That man will do anything for you, and you know it.”

  Sage smiled, knowing that was true. She was definitely her daddy’s girl. Always had been and always would be. “Well, then I’ll ask him, but he’ll be bored silly. You know Dad. He’ll prefer letting us plan things and just give him the bill. But I meant what I said, Mom. I don’t want you and Dad paying for anything. I can afford to pay for my own wedding. And that’s one of the main reasons I would appreciate it if you kept things within the budget I’ve established.”

  “We’ll talk about that at lunch.”

  Moments later, Sage sighed as she hung up the phone after finalizing the lunch plans with her mother. She couldn’t help but smile as she began taking off her clothes while walking toward the bedroom. When it came to her parents, she really felt blessed. They were the greatest. Being the only child had had its advantages … as well as its disadvantages. The advantage was that she was very close to her parents, especially her father. Her fondest memories while growing up were of the times she had spent with him. If Charles Dunbar had preferred a son rather than a daughter, he had never let on and didn’t try making her into something she wasn’t. He had not encouraged her to play sports like some fathers with only a daughter would have, especially a man who was as involved in sports as he was. He loved football, baseball and basketball…. If there was a ball involved, he was hooked. And although he had taken her to a lot of games while she was growing up, it had been because she had wanted to go and not because she felt she had to grab some of his time or attention. And he had spent just as much time at the dance studio, hair salon, and Girl Scout meetings with her as he had his other activities. He had done all of it while working his way up from a bank teller to branch manager and to his present position of bank executive. She was proud of him because she knew in his day that moving up the corporate ladder in the financial arena hadn’t been easy for a black man.

  Erol came home just as she was stepping out of the shower. Over dinner she told him about her trip to Alaska.

  “How long do you think you’ll be gone?” he asked as he dug into his meal. They had a rule that the first one home would start dinner. She had cooked a skillet of stir-fry vegetables with chopped chicken breast and white rice. She had also made a pitcher of iced tea and had stopped by the bakery on her way home and had purchased a couple of slices of carrot cake.

  “Probably a week. Why?”

  He looked up at her and smiled. “I was thinking that if I could get away, I’d love to join you. I’ve never been to Alaska, and I think it would be nice for us to spend some time together away from Charlotte. I can definitely use a break from work.”

  Sage nodded, again wondering if something was going on at work that Erol wasn’t sharing with her. She decided not to say anything. She had to believe that if it was something she needed to know, he would tell her. “I think that would be a great idea. What are the chances of your being able to do that?”

  His smile widened. “There’s a pretty good chance if I can finalize the Rollins deal next week.”

  Sage nodded. “Well, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything will work out and you’ll be able to join me.”

  Erol reached across the table and took her hand in his. “Thanks, babe, I need all the support I can get because I really do want that contract. This is a big job, and it will bring in a lot of money up front and in the long run since it includes continuous maintenance of the property. If Rollins is pleased with the way I do things, he might refer me to other companies. His contacts are enormous. I’m thinking about expanding the business on a regional or maybe even a national level if things work out. That’s why I’m working my butt off to get this one. Competition is tight.”

  Sage smiled. “Yeah, but if they do their homework, they’ll see that your company is the best.”

  That night while Erol held her in his arms, she closed her eyes and said a silent prayer that he would get the contract that he so desperately wanted. She had never known him to get this worked up over a business deal before. Even when they had made love tonight, although he had pleased her, she could tell his full concentration hadn’t been into it as it usually was.

  She snuggled closer to him, thinking that she and her mother were thinking on the same wave length because it seemed that their men were working too hard.

  With an inward sigh, Sage decided that if Erol was not able to join her in Alaska, she would make plans for them to go away somewhere for a weekend when she got back, even if it was a short trip to New Orleans.

  Sage looked over at her father the moment her mother left the table to go to the ladies’ room. As always, she thought he looked extremely good for his age and appreciated that he cared enough to stay in shape. So had her mother. Delores Dunbar had also managed to stay healthy. Sage thought she had swell parents who still looked good together even after thirty years.

  “You didn’t really have to come, Dad, you know,” she said after noticing the many times he kept looking at his watch.

  Charles Dunbar smiled. “I didn’t mind. Besides, listening to you and your mother make those plans really hit me that you’re going to do it. Getting married is a big step, and I’m glad you decided it’s what you want. I have to admit that for a while there I was beginning to wonder.”

  Sage couldn’t help but return her father’s smile. “Yes, and for a while I was beginning to wonder, too, but now I’m sure. Erol is good to me and he’s good for me. I don’t think I could ask for any more than that.”

  She studied her father for a while, then asked, “What about you, Dad? You don’t seem relaxed today for some reason. You aren’t letting work stress you out, are you?”

  Charles Dunbar reached across the table and captured his daughter’s hand in his. “No, sweetheart, work is fine. I’ve just had a lot on my mind lately, but things will be all right.”

  Sage nodded. “Mom’s worried about you, you know. She thinks you’re working too hard. I guess she’s not used to you keeping such late hours at the office.”

  “No, I guess she’s not.” After a few brief moments, he opened his mouth to say something, then suddenly closed it.

  Sage’s dark brows furrowed. “Dad? What were you about to say?”

  He tightened her hand in his. “Nothing that was important, sweetheart. I guess your old man is getting caught up in the fact that his little girl is not a little girl anymore.” He smiled wryly. “Do you know the highlight of my day was coming home knowing you would meet me at the door every evening with a huge smile and a big hug?”

  Sage chuckled, remembering those times. They had been the highlight of her day as well. “Yeah, and you always brought a gift home for me, even if it was something as simple as a rubbe
r band.” She lovingly met his gaze. “You spoiled me rotten, you know.”

  He laughed as he released her hand. “Yeah, I know, but I don’t regret a day doing so. I think it was well worth it. I’m proud of what you’ve become.”

  Sage’s eyes became misty. “Thanks, Dad, and I’m giving you and Mom all the credit. The two of you were and still are super. I love you.”

  He leaned over and reached across the table and tweaked her nose like he used to. “And I love you, too, sweetheart.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Gabe gave his construction foreman a serious yet teasing look. “I know you’re miserable, but do you have to look it?”

  “Sorry,” Parnell Cabot said, grinning sheepishly, taking a leisurely sip of wine while glancing around the crowded room filled with immaculately dressed attendees. “It’s just that I’m not comfortable being at these type of affairs.”

  Gabe nodded. He knew Parnell preferred being surrounded by steel beams, concrete and cement versus exquisite china, crystal-stemmed wine goblets and expensive-looking furnishings. Soft music was coming from a live band that was set up on the other side of the marble-floored ballroom. The crystal chandeliers that hung overhead illuminated the tables that were filled with appetizers and pastries while waiters were busy carrying trays of champagne around the room.

  They were attending a party hosted by the mayor of Anchorage in honor of the city’s newest employer, John Landmark. There wasn’t any doubt with the extravagance laid out that the city’s officials saw the wealthy tycoon’s latest business venture as a definite boost to their economy. New jobs would be created as well as an increase in tourism once the resort was completed.