Love Me Now by Celeste O. Norfleet Page A

name?”
    â€œKenya Whitaker,” Trey said. “I already asked for a workup on her but I think I’ll—” Joshua started laughing. Trey looked at him. “What?”
    â€œTrey, man, you really are out of it today, aren’t you?” The expression on his face said it all—he was clueless. “Damn, man, what did she do to you already?”
    â€œWhat?” Trey asked, knowing he’d missed something.
    â€œTrey, you said her name is Kenya Whitaker, as in James Whitaker, Whitaker Real Estate Investment Company. It’s all in the file,” he offered, pointing to the paperwork on his desk. “James and Lynette, so that would make your visitor, more likely than not, his—”
    â€œDaughter. Interesting,” Trey said, smiling.
    â€œWhat’s interesting is that you didn’t make the more than obvious connection sooner.”
    Joshua opened his own folder and began scanning the information. “Here it is in his personal data, he has three daughters—Kenya, Asia and Sidney.”
    â€œWhat does it say about them, her?”
    â€œKenya is the oldest, twenty-eight years old, a graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York. Currently residing in D.C., and that’s all we have on her.”
    â€œThat’s all?” Trey questioned.
    â€œTrey, James and Lynette are our clients, not his daughters. We did a full workup on him and his wife. We only needed the daughters’ information for insurance purposes.”
    â€œKenya is James’s daughter. Interesting,” Trey repeated, touching his lips.
    â€œIs that all you can say? The man tried to scam you, and then he claimed that you took advantage of him. He threatened to file a lawsuit, claimed he wasn’t fully apprised of the ramifications of what he was doing. I was in the law library for two weeks preparing for that.”
    â€œBut he never filed. And now, months later, his daughter shows up on my doorstep. Yes, I’d call that very interesting.”
    â€œObviously she thinks she can get her father’s company back.”
    â€œObviously,” Trey said, half chuckling.
    â€œIf that’s the case then you can blow her off.”
    Trey smiled. “No, not so fast. It takes a lot of guts to standon a man’s doorstep with the sole intention of demanding retribution. I think I’m going to give her a bit of leeway.”
    â€œOh, man,” Joshua said, shaking his head, “I can see it on your face. You’re like a cat with a toy mouse ready to play.”
    â€œCome on, I seldom get to play with such a worthy and attractive adversary anymore.”
    â€œThere’s a reason for that—you don’t play fair.”
    â€œFair, what’s fair?”
    â€œWhy is she demanding the company back?” Joshua asked. “It makes no sense.” Trey shrugged. “Unless, of course, she doesn’t have the whole story,” he said.
    â€œI’m guessing not,” Trey said.
    â€œTrey, play nice, drop it now while you can. You don’t need drama and distractions right now,” Joshua suggested, knowing that he wouldn’t.
    â€œActually, there is a small snag.”
    â€œYou mean the fact that she probably most definitely hates you?”
    â€œOkay, maybe a couple of small snags. But the one I’m concerned about is Louise Gates.”
    â€œMamma Lou? What about her?” Joshua asked, looking suddenly stressed.
    â€œShe stopped by the house while Kenya was there. Mamma Lou assumed we were together.”
    â€œNow let me guess, you let her.”
    â€œI didn’t see any reason to disappoint her. I figured it was a way to keep her off my back.”
    â€œEnter drama and distractions.”
    â€œNot at all, I can handle Mamma Lou.”
    â€œFamous last words, man. One of these days that old lady is gonna have you cornered. And all the dancing in the world won’t get you out of it. She’s