Love Me Now by Celeste O. Norfleet

winner.”
    â€œWhere does he get all this information on Caine? Look, I know we want to set up our own fund and I agree it’s the next logical step. But this is too pat.”
    â€œHe’s good at what he does.”
    â€œI hope you’re right. Whatever. Speaking of which, Cedric Caine should be here in a few minutes.”
    Trey nodded. “Good.”
    â€œWe’re in the final stages of preparations. But to tell you the truth, I’ll be glad when this deal is done. There’s something about a man who’s too eager to sell his family’s company that worries me.”
    â€œIt’s a sweet deal,” Trey said, still impressed that the perfect deal had come along at exactly the right moment.
    â€œToo sweet if you ask me.”
    â€œCome on, Joshua, no risk, no gain. It looks like hiring Calvin Potter was a good move after all.”
    â€œYeah, but looks can be deceiving.”
    Trey laughed, remembering earlier that morning and the would-be nanny. “Tell me about it.” Trey glanced over to see Joshua’s expression. “Come on. Don’t tell me you’re still skittish. We checked, double-checked and triple-checked. As far as we know, and a few things we didn’t know at the beginning, Caine Enterprises is a viable business.”
    Joshua nodded his agreement. “Where’s he getting his intel on this?”
    â€œPresumably the same place we get ours. He studies the market. He’s a go-getter. He saw a good deal so he jumped on it and since Cal is the one who initially put the whole thing together, I think he should be in on the next meet.” Joshua nodded. “It’s a good deal no matter how we stack it. There’s no soft edge.”
    â€œI agree, on paper it looks great,” Joshua said. He was all for the merger at one point. But soon after he began delving into the company, his gut feeling soured.
    â€œBut,” Trey prompted curiously, “you think we should consider pulling out?” Joshua nodded slowly. “It’s the same thing Regina’s been saying. But I’m not convinced. I’ve been looking for a deal like this for years. It’s perfect, exactly what we’re looking for,” Trey said.
    â€œAnd it’s too perfect. Maybe that’s what concerns me about the whole thing. It’s too pat, too effortless. Nothing handed to you is ever that easy.”
    â€œOur job is to stay one step ahead. We need to know what our competitors know before they know it.”
    â€œExactly, so either he’s psychic or he’s getting some outside or inside help.”
    â€œI’ll tell you what, why don’t you add a couple more checks to that. Better safe than sorry.”
    â€œAgreed,” Joshua said.
    â€œHave Cedric chill when he gets here. I’m gonna hit the nursery again.”
    â€œOkay, that’s it. What’s going on with you?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œI get the twins and the nanny distraction, but this is different, the vague expressions, complete disinterest in business. Cool I get, even detached, but, man, you’re damn near mellow. What’s with you, or better yet, who is she?”
    â€œShe?” Trey asked.
    â€œDon’t even think about trying to fool me. You and I go back too far for that. Women come and go. I’ve only ever seen you this distracted once before.”
    Trey shook his head. He knew deceiving Joshua would be impossible. They were too much alike. “I’m not distracted, exactly. It’s nothing really. It’s just that this woman was at the house this morning. At first I thought she was the nanny I asked Kelly to hire for me, but I found out she wasn’t.”
    â€œWell, who is she, what does she want?”
    â€œSomething about her father, I think he needs a job or something.”
    â€œWhy would she go to you, at your home?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œWhat’s her