Page 119 of More Than Pen Pals

“Good. Then I know it will be excellent.” He lets go of her hand, sits back, focuses on Leslie, and says in English, “Hit me with it, Lady Leslie.”

* * *

When Diego and Bobby leave the room several hours later, tears are glistening in all three women’s eyes, and I feel a pricking behind my own. Diego has agreed to it—all of it—and has more ideas than we proposed.

George says, “I’ve never seen the likes of what just happened in this room. Well done, all of you. Countless lives will be changed because of what you’re creating here.” Then he shakes all our hands and leaves us in our shell-shocked states.

I decide in that moment I want to be like George. I want to create and leave a legacy like what he’s doing here at Carter-Jenkins, not to mention what Diego is doing. Not once during the entire meeting did Diego or anyone else refer to how this foundation could affect his standing in the world—for betterorfor worse. It’ll bring some very positive press, but not all of it will be. Some people won’t like what he’s going to do. However, the man doesn’t seem to care about any of that.

Carmela worked overnight and then came straight here afterward, so I know she likely hasn’t slept in more than twenty-four hours. She must be exhausted, but she was full of energy throughout the meeting. She filled in gaps, added her thoughts and opinions, and dared to challenge Diego on a few issues.

When our eyes meet, tears stream down her face. “He is going to help us,” she says. “He really is.”

Leslie moves to Carmela and wraps an arm around her. “Yes, and it’s in no small part because of you.”

Wendy takes a turn hugging Carmela, and Leslie mouths to me while pointing to Carmela, “He’s going to hire her.” Then she points at me and smiles, kicking my heart into overdrive. “And you.”

fifty-seven

Iwant to throw my arms around Ash so badly I physically ache. To distract myself, I offer to walk Carmela out.

“We have a car coming for her,” Ash says. “Let me call and tell them she’s ready.”

He makes the call from the phone in the corner of the room, and I can’t keep my eyes off him.

Carmela whispers in my ear. “You love each other, don’t you?”

My head snaps around to face her. “Wh-what?”

“I can tell,” she says.

I close my eyes, internally groaning at how obvious we must have been, though we avoided looking each other in the eyes as much as possible.

“Do not be ashamed.” She places her hand on my arm, and I open my eyes and turn to fully face her.

She says, “I do not think the men could tell. But I saw the way you looked at each other when you thought nobody else was looking. The pride on your faces—it made my heart smile. Mr. Hamilton deserves a good, smart woman like you.”

My face heats, and I look at the floor. “I care for him very much. We … it’s complicated.” And I’m not sure I’m ready yet to admit to myself that I love him.

“Can you make it not complicated?”

“We’re working on it.”

Carmela can’t be more than a few years older than me, but she seems much older and wiser … and stronger. Not being able to spend time with Ash this past week has been brutal, but I’m sure it’s nothing compared to what she’s feeling.

“I can’t imagine how hard it is for you to be apart from your husband.” I hug her again. “I admire your strength.”

“Me, strong?” She laughs. “No. I cry every day. Many women are much stronger.”

“You cry because you miss your husband and maybe because you feel powerless,” I say, “not because you’re weak. I saw today how strong you truly are. You asked a very rich and powerful man for what you need and what many in your community need. That’s not for the weak of heart.”

“It’s not,” Ash says from my side. “You were impressive, Carmela.” He smiles at her and then turns his gaze on me. “As were you, Leslie.”

Heat rushes up my neck again, and Carmela giggles. Ash looks back and forth between the two of us, no doubt wondering what’s going on, but we don’t enlighten him.

“You ready to go home?” he asks Carmela. “The car will be here in a few minutes. I’ll walk you downstairs.”

Carmela says her goodbyes to the rest of us and the two of them leave the room.

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