Page 74 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

She shook her head adamantly. “No. It’s yours. It’s in your name.”

She went on tell me how much my trust paid the company as I tried to wrap my mind around what she’d revealed. I’d meant to talk to my mother about the trust, but I never got around to it. She also explained how the trust was set up under an exemption clause that allowed new money to be added to it without taxation or penalty.

“I was shocked to see that sort of account. I’ve only heard about them. In 2066, they’re basically nonexistent.”

After dinner, since we’d spent the majority of our date talking shop, I asked her out again.

“Okay, why not?” she said with a shrug.

That was on Monday night. That was before Lark Davenport. Lark’s scent. It drives me crazy. Her sultry eyes are why I remembered her from the Golden Grand Luxe Hotel.I know I’ve been close to her before, but where and when?

Suddenly, Lilith plops down in the chair across from me. She’s wearing the same pantsuit she had on at the office. And the chill from outside, mixed with her anxious energy, is emanating from her as she takes off her coat.

“So sorry I’m late. I had a doozy of an ending to my day.”

I raise my hands, palms facing her. “It’s fine.”

She heaves a sigh. “Mason’s really fighting for Lake’s job,” she says, hanging her coat on the back of her chair. “He wants to withdraw the extra money we added to Lark Davenport’s salary. And…” She smashes her hand on the tabletop. “He said Lark may be willing to hold off on taking a salary at all.”

“What?” I ask, shocked.

“Apparently, she lives off of a trust fund.” With one last relaxing sigh, Lilith settles into her seat.

Lark Davenport has a trust fund?My instincts constantly tell me that I know her from somewhere other than running into her at the Golden Grand Luxe. She’s rich. Maybe I ran into her at a party or something.

But… could she be…?

No way. She can’t be Paisley Grove.

Lilith’s smile wavers as I force myself back into this moment. “Have you ordered yet?” she asks.

“No,” I barely say as I recall a recent photo of Paisley I found on the Internet last night. I could only find one. It was from the end of last summer. She was on a yachting trip with her family, sitting next to Max Grove, smiling like it hurt. I wanted to fix whatever made her unhappy. Just like in high school. Her hair was still long and curly and pulled into a ponytail that lay across her shoulder. Even though she wasn’t standing, I could tell she had the same sexy curvaceous body that made me grow a boner whenever I paid too much attention to her. Lark has a sexy body, too, but her curves are more athletic. Paisley was softer and more sensual…That kiss.

“Hercules, is everything okay?” Lilith asks.

I force myself back into the moment. “Yes. And about Lake Clark—let’s keep her on payroll. If she’s that important to Mason and Lark, then she stays.”

“But her production report…”

“She stays.”

Lilith presses her lips together as if she’s reluctant to relent. “Okay, then. I’ll figure out something else.” She seems huffy as she lifts a hand to capture the waiter’s attention.

And she’s right to take that attitude. We carefully combed through the numbers. To keep our heads above water for the next two fiscal quarters, we’ll have to make cuts. But what I saw today from Lark and her team may save us from having to let anyone go.

“We’ll focus on the perks for now,” I add.

“I’ll redraw the impact reports without the layoffs,” she says before the waiter is standing at our table.

I order the rib eye and she the filet mignon. I also ask for bottles of the best red and white wines.

Once we’re alone, Lilith leans toward me. “So, Hercules, what are we doing here?”

She’s cutting to the chase of why we’re together tonight. I think I’ve always liked that she’s not afraid to be blunt.

“Having dinner for now, but…” I study her with one eye narrowed.How can I tell her that it’s date three and we still lack chemistry?Maybe if Lark hadn’t shown up, we could have made a go at something nice. But not anymore. And I'm not in the business of leading women on.

“Listen, Hercules. You’re a handsome man, and if you ask any girl out, she’s going to say yes. But I like to feel the fireworks and butterflies and all that good stuff. Don’t you?”