Page 69 of Second Time Around

“Your taco macaroni recipe was a big hit here. Felicia says you might have another dish for me,” Kyra said.

Davina nodded again. “My grandmother cooked for ten kids and passed her recipes down to me. I’m glad to share them.” She turned to Max. “I hear you got us the K-9 Angelz yard. Felicia sure loves that dog, so I have to thank you.”

“Emily had far more to do with creating the program than I did,” Max said. “But you’re welcome.”

“Ms.Emily makes a lot of things happen,” Davina said.

“She works hard because the kids are her passion,” Kyra said.

Max gave them the flashing smile that all the female staff members tried to elicit. It had less effect on her now that Will had claimed her thoughts but it was still gorgeous. Davina seemed dazzled by it, too, because she blinked a few times.

“Mama, will you come with me to put Shaq in his crate? You haven’t seen where he sleeps.” Felicia tugged on her mother’s hand.

“Sure, honey,” the woman said. She looked back at Max and Kyra. “Thanks for the party. Felicia loved the crab. That’s a real treat.”

Emily joined them as Davina departed. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you, Kyra. Farr Lange is coming tomorrow at three o’clock. I hope that works for you.”

Max looked surprised. “Isn’t he a trustee of the Thalia Foundation?”

Kyra noticed that he slipped his arm around his fiancée’s waist and drew her closer to his side.

“I forgot to tell you, too,” Emily said with a rueful smile, her face soft as she met his gaze. “I was so focused on the big event tonight. Kyra met him at a party and obviously impressed the heck out of him.”

“I went to college with Will Chase, who introduced me to Farr.” That sounded innocuous enough.

Emily’s eyes were dancing with amusement but she didn’t add to Kyra’s minimal description.

“It would be great to get more foundation money behind the center, since you insist on limiting what my Catalyst Foundation can give you.” Max’s voice held a touch of irritation.

“Your foundation supports many other very worthy causes that count on the money,” Emily said in a way that made Kyra think they’d had this discussion a few times before.

“I’m going to let you two duke this out alone,” Kyra said with a smile.

As she carried a stack of empty platters downstairs to the kitchen, her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She slid the dirty dishes onto the center island to read Will’s message:I’m free to pick you up any time now.

Pleasure hummed through her at his impatience. She glanced at the time and the state of the kitchen.I’ll meet you out front in an hour.

A gentleman always comes to the door,he texted back.

But she didn’t want people to see him. Max would recognize him for sure. That would require some awkward explanations. She’d just have to make sure to be outside already.

A gentleman is nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing,Kyra texted.

No argument here,he shot back.

She laughed and stuck her phone back in her pocket. She had a lot to do if she was going to keep everyone from seeing her golden lover.

Kyra was sitting on the front steps, actually enjoying the balmy spring evening, when the limo floated up the street, the glossy black paint catching the streetlights. She jumped up and ran down the steps and across the sidewalk before Will could do more than push open the door.

She pitched herself into the car’s interior, landing almost on his lap.

“I like an eager woman,” he said, pulling her in for a mind-bending kiss. “But I suspect I’m being kept away from the Carver Center.” Amusement and hurt colored his voice.

“I just needed some air and quiet after a crazy day.” True as far as it went.

He cradled her against his side, and she noticed that he wore jeans and a T-shirt, not a suit. “How does a hot Jacuzzi and a glass of wine sound?” he asked.

“Will you be in the Jacuzzi with me?”