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Regret was like a dog whistle cutting into his fragile peace. As Leela Ingram passed him, the thoughts that had been swirling around in his head were halted by her scent...mangoes or passion fruit...something that grew in the heat. Why did women choose to smell like a delicacy you could eat when they knew most men were hungry?
Kiefer couldn’t help but check out the view. Again. He raised a hand to rub the back of his neck. Lord, have mercy. The body was crazy.
He let the door go and slipped next to her, hoping he didn’t come across as too eager to try to hold her attention. If absence made the heart grow fonder had some motivation, he’d found it in her eyes.
Without hesitation, Leela walked straight to his car. She probably recognized his Navigator with its midnight blue and silver two-tone paint. There weren’t any around like it. He’d had it custom built in a color that was only sold in China.
Leela frowned. “Isn’t he hot?”
Tail wagging, Bailey panted like her concerns were well-founded. They were not. “My car has pet controls. The backseat is set to cool and cold air intermittently blasts to keep him from getting overheated.”
A single, perfectly arched eyebrow went up. Leela’s big brown eyes told the story. She’d never heard of such a thing. “Is he friendly?”
Bailey perked up even more. His black tail wagged more enthusiastically. Kiefer found it curious, considering that his dog was like him...wary of strangers.
“He had surgery yesterday,” Kiefer said, clicking the key fob. He opened the door and put his food on the front seat.
“Is he all right?” Leela asked, genuine concern in her eyes.
He appreciated that she cared. “So far so good. Bailey, meet Leela.” To his surprise, Bailey immediately warmed to her, nuzzling against Leela’s outstretched hand.
“Hi, beautiful boy,” Leela cooed, scratching behind Bailey’s ears. He watched, fascinated by the instant bond forming between them.
“He likes you,” Kiefer remarked, still amazed at his dog’s reaction to Leela. “He’s not usually so open to new people.”
“Maybe we’re kindred spirits,” Leela said. Her mouth parted, enough to release a chuckle, and more than enough for him to see how moist and sweet her lips were.
A moment of awkwardness settled between Kiefer and Leela, both seeming reluctant to walk away from each other. The air was thick with unspoken words as they stood beside his car.
“I better go,” Leela said. “I want to catch the library before they close.”
“The library?” Kiefer asked, surprised by her plans.
Leela pointed across the street to the brick building adorned with tall windows. “That’s it over there.”
“Are you picking up a book?”
“That’s what they have inside,” Leela teased.
Embarrassed, he looked down at his sneakers and then back up at her. “So you enjoy reading?”
“Almost as much as I like chocolate cupcakes,” Leela replied, her eyes lighting up. “The library keeps me from breaking my budget on books. If I love something, I buy it for my collection. I read about four novels every week.”
“Four? That’s impressive,” he said, genuinely amazed. He’d never read like that and was always blown away by the fact that other people could.
Leela smiled, but a hint of sadness tinted the pride shining through. “It’s my escape from reality. There’s something about getting lost in another world...in someone else’s story.”
“Does that mean you only read books with happy endings?”
She chuckled and tossed her braids over her shoulder. “Mostly, but a little literary fiction here and there is good for deeper exploration into the human condition.”
Kiefer liked the way she said that. He’d never found that kind of pleasure in books, but he always wanted to. He found his enjoyment in films.
As Leela turned to walk away, a surge of boldness rushed through him. “Wait!” he blurted out, his heart pounding in anticipation. She stood there, her big brown eyes irresistibly wide with interest, waiting for whatever it was that he was going to say. He hesitated, feeling rash and out of control for calling out—for thinking what he had in mind was a good idea. The longer it took him to speak, the more their eyes connected, which helped with his confidence. “Would you like to be my plus one at a theater-in-the-park event?”
The words tumbled out fast, devoid of any cool, and he worried that she might say no. “It’s tomorrow in Jackson. Butts county’s amphitheater.” Hoping to sweeten the deal, he added, “I can introduce you to the person who manages events for the theater company.”
Leela hesitated slightly before nodding. “That sounds fun.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a business card. “Text me the details.”
Kiefer looked down at the card, glad to have her number and feeling foolish for never getting it the first time. “I will.”
“Great.” Leela’s tone was light and warm. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She turned and as luck would have it, didn’t have any traffic to stop her from crossing. Her hips did what they did and swayed with every move of her legs in those sexy shoes. Again, he was reminded of Angelou’s words...the stride of her step. Once she reached the other side of the street, she turned and looked back at him. The whoosh of her long braids was subtle. The bend of her hair. Leela disappeared into the library.
“Phenomenal,” Kiefer whispered.
He climbed into the driver’s seat and let out a deep breath. He couldn’t deny that she set a fire inside his chest. What was I thinking telling her I wanted to be friends?
Bailey groaned. Kiefer looked back at him. “What? You’re in love too?” He turned facing forward. Leela had been out of his presence for less than five minutes, and he was already looking forward to tomorrow.
***
THE EVENING SUN CAST a warm glow over the brick facade of Dream Events’ office building as Kiefer pulled up. He stepped out and opened the passenger side door. He’d had the car detailed so it gleamed like a new dime, especially the silver paint. Leela emerged from the entrance of her building, locked the door, and walked toward him. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. She was wearing a graphic t-shirt and fashionably ripped jeans. As his eyes traveled down, he noted sandals on her pretty feet. He fought letting Maya Angelou’s words enter his brain because if he didn’t, he’d be in love by sunset.
She walked toward him; her cocoa brown eyes sparkling...matching her pretty white smile.
Bailey barked like he had a new girlfriend.
Leela slipped into the passenger seat and turned to pet Bailey behind the ears. “You’re hanging out with us. I know you’re glad you don’t have to stay home alone.”
Kiefer started the vehicle. He couldn’t help but grin at the interaction, still finding it endearing how easily Leela connected with Bailey. As he drove, he stole glances at her, admiring her grace and poise.
“Tell me why you’re so great with dogs?” he asked.
Leela shared that she had a dog from the time she was two years old. “We always had dogs when I was growing up. My ex-husband and I shared one too. Ebony was a wedding present from my him, but he kept her after we divorced.”
“He took back your wedding present.”
“Punishment for taking back my name,” Leela said. “But that’s a story for another day.” Kiefer noted a little sadness around her eyes, but she didn’t linger on whatever the thought was that inched through her emotions. “I also wanted to be a vet, but there was no way I could afford vet school, so instead I worked in a vet’s office all through college.”
Kiefer’s interest peeked. “Doing what?”
“Walking dogs, feeding them, giving them meds and whatever. It was the best job.”
“You seem like such a...” he struggled with words.
“Such a what?”
“You’re so fashionable. I don’t equate stilettos with dog walking.”
Leela laughed. “Fashion fits my business and half of what I wear, I borrow out of Harper’s closet. I worked for the wildlife commission in Florida before moving here. I wore jeans every day and loved it.”
Kiefer nodded. “Okay. That’s drastic. From wildlife to event planning.”
“I was in HR, employee relations. I handled all the employee events for the whole state, plus I’m super organized. That’s half the job and Sienna trained me well.”
Kiefer’s eyes left the road and glanced at her for a second. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” Leela said, a genuine smile came through with her words. “It’s given me work that I look forward to every day.”
He understood. That’s how his job made him feel...most of the time. Kiefer pulled off the highway and drove the short distance to the road that led to the amphitheater.
“Here we are,” he announced as they turned into a private parking lot. They exited the car with Bailey. As the vet predicted, Bailey had already adapted to moving on three legs. Kiefer led Leela to a door and after showing his ID to security, they were led through a discreet side entrance that opened directly into the venue.
“Wow,” Leela murmured, taking in the grandeur of their surroundings. The amphitheater buzzed with anticipation, people milling about as they found their seats. An attendant ushered them to Kiefer’s premium private box. They had the space completely to themselves which allowed him to bring Bailey.
“I didn’t know we’d have an exclusive box,” she said as they settled into their plush seats.
“I prefer privacy,” he said. “I hope you brought your appetite like I told you. I ordered everything they had on the menu.”
As if on cue, a server arrived with a tray of drinks and a wooden cheeseboard laden with gourmet cheeses, sausage, fruits, and crackers. He was followed by another server rolling in a cart with silver domes and glasses and water bottles and a coffee carafe. Kiefer lifted one of the domes and checked out the steak, lobster, and shrimp dinner. “Everything looks good,” he said to the server.
The man opened the wine and poured it in their glasses. After which he said, “Please ring if you need anything, Mr. Bennett.” He pointed to a button on the wall and left them.
Leela reached for a glass of wine and took a sip. “This is good.”
“Only the best when it comes to my plus one,” he replied with a wink.
As the show began, Kiefer noticed how intently Leela watched the performance, her face illuminated by the stage lights. Beside her, Bailey had settled comfortably at Leela’s feet, looking equally entranced.
“Bailey seems to like you,” Kiefer observed.
Leela looked down at the dog, her hand resting on his back. “I told you. I’m a dog person. Bailey is such a sweetheart.”
Kiefer didn’t want to wait to hear the dog story, so he said, “Tell me how your ex stole your dog.”
Leela took a sip from her wine glass. He was intruding, but he could see she’d made up her mind to tell him. “He took Ebony from our groomer’s house. The groomer didn’t know we were separated. But he knew from the calendar that she was due to be groomed, so he went and got her and wouldn’t give her back to me.”
Kiefer rubbed his hands down his pants leg. He could only imagine how hard it was to get away from someone who would do something like that. “You couldn’t get her back?”
“I tried, but the judge let him keep her. He worked from home every day, if you can call a failing YouTube channel work.” Leela rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I had a long commute. I was away for long stretches.” She sighed, her beautiful eyes were sad and lonely. He could sense her frustration.
“I know the judge was right. I couldn’t afford a dog walker or dog daycare, so it was better that she wasn’t alone all day, but Brad didn’t have to do that to me. He wouldn’t even let me visit her unless I came to his apartment.”
“The judge didn’t order visitation?”
She shook her head.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Would you get another?”
Leela laughed. “I’m poor and technically homeless. That’d be like bringing a baby into a bad situation. I’m not ready.”
They returned their attention to the show with Kiefer feeling badly about bringing it up. During intermission, he introduced Leela to the events manager, and the two exchanged business cards. “We’re big donors,” he said. “You can expect to gain them as a client.”
They ate some more and talked while they waited for the show to resume. He told her he was originally from Charleston, hence his desire to come see this performance of Porgy and Bess. “I moved to Houston after college and lived there until I moved to Forest Hills last November.”
Leela nodded. “Other than here, I’ve never lived anywhere but Orlando.”
Kiefer sipped his drink and leaned on the armrest they shared. “Why’d you leave Orlando?”
Leela hesitated, her expression clouding over. “I needed a change, I guess.” She offered a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Sometimes you need to leave the past behind.”
Kiefer sensed her reluctance to continue down that path. He’d already pushed her on the Ebony story, so he steered the conversation elsewhere. Besides, he was glad she was here. He didn’t care about her ex. He took the woman’s dog.
“How are things at Bennett Television,” Leela asked.
“Busy. Maybe busier than they need to be for me. I’m not quite sure I’m fitting in with the culture.” He inserted a but with his finger. “Yet. And that might be my fault. I’m a bit of a micromanager.”
Leela raised an eyebrow. That didn’t fit his personality. “Why are you micromanaging people?”
“Because I don’t know who I can trust. I didn’t clean house when I came in like most folks in my position would have. I let my enemies stay.” He took a sip of his drink. “We’ll see how that works out. Anyway, I think most of it is struggling to balance everything.” He shrugged, not wanting to burden her with too many details. “There are a lot of politics. I’m the guy who got the job no one knew was even available.”
One of Leela’s eyebrows hitched. “What do you mean by that?”
“There was no VP of programming. There was a group of self-managed executive producers. They packaged everything and made presentations to the programming team. Now I sign off on all projects and the budgets.”
“Oh,” Leela said, recognizing his dilemma. “You completely changed how they were operating.”
“Yep,” he said, glad to have someone understand what he was dealing with without minimizing it because he was the boss. Bosses had to lead people to get things done. That wasn’t always easy when they weren’t on your team.
“Why didn’t you clean house?” Leela asked. “If that’s the way it’s typically done?”
He shrugged. “I don’t like firing people.”
Leela nodded. She seemed to appreciate that answer.
“So,” he asked. “What about your business? Things thriving?”
Leela clenched her hand into a fist, answering his question before she even opened her mouth. “With the economy the way it is, business is slow.”
“Are you still living with Harper and Logan?” Kiefer asked thinking family would be a safety net.
“Yep,” she nodded. “But it’s time to find my own place. Even a big house can get crowded.”
“For obvious reasons, I’m not an expert on the area. Is it hard to find a rental? You look stressed about it.”
“Forest Hills is expensive. So is Stockbridge and all the other towns within driving distance to my office.” She added, “I want to be in my own space before the baby comes.”
Kiefer frowned, recalling the last time he saw Harper. She’d had a baby bump in February. “Isn’t that any day now?”
“Three weeks,” Leela said. “I’ve been looking.”
The lights lowered and the show started again, but now Kiefer was distracted from his favorite play. He noticed Leela’s eyes were glued to the stage, but her hands were glued to his dog. By the time the show ended, he’d decided he had a solution to both their problems. Once they got in the car, he turned to Leela and said, “I have an idea. It’s going to sound...crazy but hear me out.”
Leela pulled the strap of her seatbelt, snapped it in, and gave him her attention. Nerves gathered in his gut, but he was not one to shy away from pitching an idea. He’d built his entire career doing that.
“Would you be interested in dog sitting for me? At my house. For a while.”
Leela frowned and he continued.
“I have to go back to Canada in a day or so. I can’t take Bailey in this condition, but I need someone to take care of him.”
She folded her arms over her chest and looked at him quizzically. She seemed to be chewing on the decision like he’d asked for a kidney. Her delay sucked all the air out of the car. He wanted to hear her say yes, so he sweetened the offer. Sweetening an offer seemed to work with her. Offering up a catering connect had gotten her to agree to be his plus one tonight.
“I’ll pay you well.” Begging was never cool, but he was desperate. He needed a dog sitter. Immediately.
Leela dropped her arms. Her expression indicated she was still letting it cycle. She looked back at Bailey and then turned her eyes to his. “Sure. I’d keep this sweet dog for free.”
Kiefer released his breath, slowly and easily like he hadn’t been holding it. “I’m sure you would, but maybe the money will help you to be able to afford an apartment.”
A little grunt escaped her lips. “You’re paying that much?”
“Bailey is important. Plus, he loves you, which mystifies me based on how he treats everyone else,” he chuckled. “And you know how to give medicine.”
Leela agreed.
A load lifted off Kiefer’s shoulders. He started the car and took her home.
Once they reached Harper and Logan’s house, Leela swiped her gate card. He pulled his SUV into the porte-cochère. The glow from the elaborate outside string lights spilled onto the circular, red brick driveway and made the house look even more like a baller’s spot than it did in the daylight.
“Where’s your car?” he asked, glancing at Leela as she looked out the window. He’d picked her up from the office.
“Being serviced,” she replied. “Logan will take me to pick it up tomorrow morning.”
They sat there for a moment, the hum of the idling engine filling the silence between them. Kiefer could sense Leela’s thoughts swirling.
“I was only planning to be gone for a week, but now I’ll probably stay longer. I want to iron out some issues that are going to take time. With you moving in, I can do that.”
“You mean like move my stuff, not just bring a suitcase for the time you’ll be gone on this trip?”
“You said you wanted out of their house. My house isn’t as big as Harper and Logan’s, but you’d have it to yourself,” he said. “These trips pop up all the time for me. I usually take him, but he doesn’t like to fly, and he hates getting used to a new place. I’d love it if I didn’t have to take him.”
“I had no idea TV execs traveled so much.”
“Well, many don’t, but like I said, I’m micromanaging right now. I’m keeping an eye on everything that’s being filmed and stepping in on budget issues in real time.”
Leela looked from Harper’s house to Bailey, who wagged his tail in response. Her eyes met Kiefer’s, uncertainty flickering in their depths before a slow smile spread across her face. “All right. Text me your number and I’ll plan to move tomorrow night.”
“Great.” Kiefer got out and walked around to open her door. Relief washed over him as he watched her enter the house. This time when the words of Maya Angelou’s poem came to him, he let them settle in his mind and heart. He couldn’t deny offering to let her move in wasn’t just about Bailey.