This Time for Real (12 page)

“M
alik.” Richard shook his hand when he arrived at the center on Monday to go over the details of his contribution.

“Richard.” Malik shook his hand. He was surprised to find that King had come alone, without any of his advisers. “Let's talk in my office.” Malik led the way. “Please have a seat.” Malik nodded to the small conference table.

“I have to admit I was surprised when Avery told me that you'd reconsidered,” Richard said as he unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down.

“Quite frankly, Richard, I realized what a disservice I would be doing to the center by turning down your offer. I can't make this personal. I have to do what's best for HCC.”

“Well said.” Richard was ready to let bygones be bygones if Malik was willing to move forward. “What do you have for me?”

Malik opened a manila folder and handed Richard a list. “My staff and I have compiled a list of the more pressing items that we would like to attend to first, and I've prepared a budget of the costs.” Malik hoped Richard didn't get sticker shock at the final total.

“Updating the administrative offices is at the top of the list, I see,” Richard commented, “and much needed.” Richard glanced around at the peeling paint and worn carpet in Malik's office.

“I couldn't agree with you more. I've wanted this for a long time, which is why I already have schematic drawings.” Malik pulled out the pages and handed them to Richard.

“You do?”

Richard sounded surprised that Malik was on top of things. “Yes, we hired an architect several months back when I proposed this idea to the CAN board, but we didn't get the green light. It's mostly painting and flooring. The main renovation is expanding the kitchen, which would require knocking down some walls and adding some cabinetry.”

“This is excellent,” Richard said as he perused the layout. “I'd like to fast-track this. I took the liberty of contacting a contractor whom I've used in the past, and I was going to suggest an architect—but I see you've already done your homework. My contractor may be able to get an early start permit while the drawings are being approved.”

“How long do you think that'll take?”

“A couple of weeks.”

“That quickly?”

“I know a few people. So everything should go smoothly, provided the drawings meet current building codes.”

Malik grinned from ear to ear. “That's great.”

“I'll set up a meeting with you and the contractor and you can discuss a schedule.”

“You'd like to be a part of this?” Malik raised a brow. “I just assumed that you would pass this off to one of your subordinates.”

“I came here alone, didn't I?” Richard asked. “You underestimate me, Malik. I gave my word to Avery, so I'm one-hundred-percent committed to this project.” Richard popped open his suitcase and handed Malik an envelope.

“What's this?” Malik inquired.

“It's a check. It's small for now, but it'll allow you to get started right away ordering the necessary furniture, computer equipment and supplies, or whatever else you need. Once I review your budget, I'll deliver another check.”

Malik was stunned and stared into Richard's green-eyed depths. It was then that Malik realized that maybe he'd been wrong about King. “Thank you.” Malik shook his hand.

Richard rose and shook his head. “As long as you stay within this budget, you don't need to contact me about each penny you spend, Malik. Let's just plan on sitting down every couple of weeks and going over the numbers. If there's a problem, we'll tackle it then. Sound good?”

“Yes, that's fair.” Malik was amazed at how reasonable Richard was being.

“I really must be going. I have another meeting to attend to.” Richard buttoned his jacket.

“Thank you for
personally
stopping by.”

“You're welcome,” Richard replied, and left the room, leaving a stunned Malik in his wake.

Theresa walked in shortly afterwards and found Malik with a befuddled expression on his face.

Theresa glanced around the room. “It looks like the office is still intact,” she teased. “So? What did Mr. King say about the budget?”

Malik shrugged. “Nothing.” He couldn't understand it. “He basically gave me carte blanche to spend his money.”

“I'm sure our budget is chump change in comparison to the deals he makes everyday.”

“So true, so true.” Malik jumped out of his seat and flew over to grab the older woman off her feet and swing her around. “We did it, Theresa! We did it!”

“Put me down,” Theresa yelled and patted his hand. “Otherwise you're going to break your back.”

“Oh, please.” Malik set her to floor. “You're as light as a feather.” Malik kissed her on the cheek. “And you know it.”

Theresa blushed. “I haven't seen you this happy, this content, in a long time.”

Malik turned and stared back at Theresa. She was right. He couldn't recall when he'd been this happy. Everything was going right in his life. His career was flourishing. He had a beautiful woman like Peyton Sawyer on his arm. Everything was right with the world.

 

“How's the situation with Kendra?” Amber asked Peyton after her last class.

“Not good.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Well, I went over to her apartment to find out why she missed class and found her boyfriend had struck her. I was encouraging her to leave when he came home.”

“Tell me you're joking?” Amber asked. “Peyton, I warned you that you were entering dangerous territory with this girl. And now look.”

“Nothing happened.”

“Nothing?” Amber asked, staring at Peyton. She was sure there was more to the story.

“Nothing.” Peyton stated this more firmly, so her friend would believe her. “Her boyfriend told me to stay out of his affairs, but I can't do that, Amber. The girl needs help, which is why I convinced Malik to talk to her and give her some information.”

“Do you think that helped?” Amber asked. She'd had a similar incident happen herself, in one of her women's studies classes. She'd see the girl come to class with a black eye, which her makeup had failed to disguise, or wearing a turtleneck in the middle of summer. When she tried to approach her, the girl had gotten angry and told her to mind her own business. Since then, Amber had resolved to stay out of students' affairs.

Peyton shook her head. “Can't say. I just hope that Kendra takes his advice.”

“Did something else happen?” Amber wondered what Peyton wasn't saying.

“Yeah, sort of,” Peyton replied. “Malik hinted that he would know about the sort of thing that Kendra's going through.”

“Do you think there's something that Malik isn't telling you?”

“Maybe. He hasn't talked a lot about his past.” Their conversation always touched upon her or their shared interests, but she knew nothing about where he came from. He'd only briefly mentioned that his mother had been a single mother before something bad happened. All she really knew was that the center had been like a second home for him and his friends. She just assumed that he'd meant as an afterschool hangout. But now she wondered if there wasn't more to the story.

“Don't make more of it than it really is. Sometimes it's hard for men to open up, and, you know, show vulnerability.”

“I suppose you're right.” Peyton's brow furrowed. “Maybe there's nothing to it.” She resolved to bring up the subject with Malik again and this time she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

 

“Sage, sweetheart, where have you been?” Malik asked when she walked in with briefcase in tow to Dante's after work. He and Peyton were taking the night off so he could spend some quality time with his family. “It feels like I haven't seen you in ages.”

When Malik kissed her cheek instead of pinching her nose, Sage knew something wasn't right. “What's going on?” she asked, looking back and forth at Quentin and Dante. “I know I've been busy on this big case, but I've never seen this one—” she pointed to Malik “—so happy. What happened to the brooding man I've come to know and love?”

“Replaced by a sappy guy in the throws of a committed relationship,” Dante answered.

“No!” Sage said, and then took off the jacket that went with her pinstriped pants suit. “First playa—playa Quentin has a girlfriend and now Malik? What is the world coming to, Dante?” She turned to her best friend. “Are you starting to feel as left out as I am in this scenario?”

“C'mon, Sage, it's not like that,” Malik said. “We're just dating. We're not a couple like Q and Avery.”

“Have you not been seeing the woman at every possible occasion?” Quentin asked.

Malik thought about it. He had been seeing an awful lot of Peyton. They'd gone to a New York Knicks game, the Culture Fest in Battery Park and Caroline's Comedy
Club. But that was normal in the early dating stages. He didn't see anything unusual about it. Actually, the more time he spent in Peyton's company, the more he realized how truly fantastic she was. His desire for her had grown with each passing week; she was everything he wanted in a woman and more.

“Yes, but—”

“But nothing,” Quentin interrupted him. “You're a couple.”

“Well, maybe.” He wasn't ready yet to swear off his bachelorhood. “But I am still the same Malik.”

Sage peered at him. “Umm—no, I don't think so. Pretty soon the dreads and sexy five o'clock shadow will be gone and replaced with a sleek haircut and a clean jaw.”

Malik laughed. “Never!” His dreads were a part of him. He'd been growing them for several years, and the thought of shearing them would be like shearing off a part of himself.

“You say that now,” Sage teased, “but something tells me there are more changes to come.”

 

“C'mon in.” Malik waved Peyton in with some tongs when she arrived at his brownstone the following evening for dinner. “I was just grilling us some steaks outside on the terrace.”

“I brought the wine.” Peyton held up a bottle of red wine and leaned over to brush her lips across his.

“Hmm,” Malik moaned. “Hold on to that thought. I have to check on the steaks.”

Peyton followed him through the foyer and into the kitchen. When Malik went on the back deck, Peyton noticed he had the makings for a tossed salad assembled on the granite countertop. So she rolled up her sleeves and began cutting up the vegetables.

“What are you doing?” Malik asked when he came back inside. “I'm supposed to be making
you
dinner.”

“I know,” she said as she smiled, slicing the tomatoes. “I just thought I'd help you out. Is that a problem?” Peyton's eyes grew wide.

“Of course not,” Malik replied. He took the knife out of her hand and pulled her into his arms. “Now, how about we pick up where we left off?” Malik's lips swept down on hers. He covered her mouth hungrily with his and his wet tongue dipped inside to taste her—and he wasn't disappointed. She tasted as sweet as honey.

“If you don't stop that,” Peyton rasped, “Our steaks will be burned.”

“Hmm,” Malik moaned. “But you taste so much better than steaks.” Malik nibbled on an earlobe.

Peyton pushed against his rock-hard chest. “How was work?”

“Work was fine,” Malik said, trailing a path of wet kisses down her neck. “We're just waiting for the green light.”

“Didn't you have a meeting with Richard?” Peyton inquired.

Malik lifted his head. “It went surprisingly well. Richard showed up alone, without his advisors, and we discussed the budget that I'd prepared.”

“And?”

“And nothing,” Malik said, shrugging. “He gave me a check and basically gave me carte blanche to do whatever was needed, provided I stay within budget.”

“That's fantastic!” Peyton slapped his shoulder.

“Can you believe it?” His voice rose slightly. “He even has a contractor already lined up. The man sure didn't waste any time.”

“See?” Peyton slapped his shoulder again. “I told
you everything was going to be fine. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You can help Theresa select the paint, carpeting and tile. I'm color-blind when it comes to decorating. An interior decorator did my brownstone.”

“I'd be happy to.”

“I'd better go check on those steaks.” Malik headed for the back door while Peyton put the finishing touch on their tossed salad by adding cucumbers and mushrooms. When she was finished, she mixed it and set it aside. She opened the oven and checked the potatoes. Satisfied they were ready, she took them out of the oven just as Malik returned, carrying a platter of rib-eye steaks.