Chapter 10
There was pep in Trey’s steps as he walked down the halls of McKinley Black on the way to his office. The weekend had brought with it blessedly cooler temperatures, and not only that, his former college buddy and current tennis partner, Josh Meyers, had given him excellent news when they’d met on the court. His dad’s firm had checked out MB and was going to be calling this week to set up a meeting. Solomon Meyers was a fifth-generation Jew whose grandparents had fled their beloved Poland during the Hitler era and arrived on Ellis Island in 1944. He’d landed in the banking business before expanding to real estate, while his brother had taken a more nefarious route, making millions in Vegas and Atlantic City before venturing into politics. Now a family to be reckoned with, their children wanted for nothing. Josh was privileged, but he wasn’t spoiled. He and Trey had met during their freshman year and hit it off right away. It was a connection that would continue to pay off for the rest of Trey’s life.
And not only that, but Trey was in love. He wasn’t ready to voice these words aloud, could barely believe it himself. Before meeting Choice McKinley, he would have said he didn’t believe in love at first sight. But ever since meeting her, he’d thought of no one else. He’d only been in love one other time, and after that heartbreak, which had tragically ended when his fiancée drowned, Trey swore he’d never fall again. But fall he had, and he was in deep. The funny thing was that Trey had no desire to get out. Choice had come in and rocked Trey’s world and now he couldn’t see it spinning without her in it.
“You’re here early.” Remington stood in Trey’s open doorway. Trey had been so deep into working that he’d not heard Remington walk up.
“I like to get a jump on the day.”
“Any progress on the Ground Zero project?”
“I’ve got some irons in the fire this week. When anything breaks, Charles will be the first to know and then it will be his call to disseminate the information to appropriate personnel.”
Aside from a slight narrowing of the eyes, Remington held his cool. You sanctimonious asshole. You’d better hope you close this deal so that you can live off the commissions while you’re unemployed! Remington didn’t know how it would happen, but he was sure that Trey’s stay at MB would be short lived. He would see to it. The guy was a liar and too suave for his own good. Get the Ground Zero project, get rid of Trey. In that order, and hopefully with one event quickly following the other. “Do I recall from your resume your having worked for a financial institution?”
“No,” Trey answered without looking up.
“Hum, so you’ve never been involved in banking or credit unions or anything like that.”
Aw, hell, not this again. Trey had dealt with an ongoing problem for five years and was hoping the worst of it was behind him. Obviously not. “My work history is detailed on my resume. Would you like another copy?”
“I’m standing right here. Why don’t you just tell me?”
“Because I have a meeting with Charles in one hour and I’d like to be prepared. So if you’ll excuse me, Rem, I’d really like to get back to work.”
Rem? Remington kept his face neutral while his mind whirled. Everybody in the office called him Remington; only Choice called him Rem. Which meant that Trey had seen her, and they’d discussed him. Remington gave a curt nod and left. He headed to his office to make some calls and come up with a game plan. If Trey thought he was going to waltz in off the street and take a Black property, he’d better think again. It had taken Remington years to realize that Choice was the woman for him, and now that he’d made that decision, he fully intended to make her his wife. He’d just have to work faster than he planned, and slow another brothah’s roll.
At exactly nine am, Trey walked into Charles McKinley’s massive corner office. The near floor-to-ceiling glass offered stunning views of the George Washington Bridge and the midcity skyline, and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean sparkled in the distance. Charles’s décor reflected the man: strong, solid, and simple yet refined. Charles stood from behind his desk and motioned Trey to join him in a sitting area at the other end of the room.
After trading a bit of small talk about the lingering effects of the blackout, the cooler temps, and the upcoming U.S. Open, Trey got right down to business. “I have good news, sir.”
“Oh, yes?”
“Yes. I got a call from Solomon Meyers and we’ve scheduled a meeting for this Thursday. He expressed a desire for you to also attend that meeting. I told him I’d have to check your schedule, but—”
“I’m already there,” Charles interrupted, excitement dancing in his eyes. “I’ve got to tell you, Trey, this is some kind of business you might bring to the firm, less than two weeks after being hired.”
“It’s why I got the job,” Trey replied matter-of-factly. “You wouldn’t have hired me if you didn’t think I could deliver.”
“You’ve got to have inside connections. My network in this city runs pretty deep, and I’ve only been able to ripple the waters around this site.”
Trey told Charles about Josh Meyers and their ongoing friendship. He also mentioned his contacts at the city council, and his personal relationship with Mayor Bloomberg, who was also a tennis fan. “There’s a rumor that they want to finalize this portion of the deal before the year is out,” Trey finished. “Which is why we’re moving so quickly. Plus, I’d already done my homework, had been scoping out this property and possible contracts months before being hired here. I actually started baiting this particular hook a year ago and told Josh that when I got hired here, I was coming after a chunk of that construction deal.”
Charles reared back in his chair, respect for this young man growing with every conversation. “You were pretty sure of yourself then.”
“I was hopeful,” Trey replied. “I knew that I was qualified for the job, and that if given the chance, I’d do everything in my power to convince you of this fact. Plus, my mom is big on that whole positive thinking, visualization stuff. Drummed it into me from the time I was a child. A little of that rubbed off on me. I’ve seen myself working here for a long time.”
Charles’s phone rang. He reached for the extension on the table next to where he sat on the love seat. “Yes, Remington.” He paused, looked at his watch. “Why don’t we make it twelve thirty and meet for lunch.” Another pause. “Fine, I’ll see you then.”
As Trey walked back to his office, his cell phone beeped. He smiled when he saw that it was a text from Choice.
Can you meet me at the warehouse around 6:30?
For a fitting?
Trey reached his desk and typed in his reply.
Sure, I can’t wait to have your hands all over me.
But make it 7.
He clicked on his laptop to check e-mails while he awaited her answer. It came within seconds. 7 is cool. Come prepared to take your clothes off.
Trey laughed and typed. You too?
Almost a minute went by, and then came the response. We’ll see.