Page 11 of Sassy Love
Jesus.
I run my hands through my hair as Nadia returns, still apologizing. She hands printouts to Carlie and me and sinks meekly into her chair with a side glance at Carlie, whose glare burns into me. It’s almost as if she’s scared of her. Smart woman.
Nadia’s focus volleys back and forth between me and Lamont. “I’m sorry, do you two know each other?”
“No,” Lamont snaps as I say, “Yes.”
Fair. That’s completely fair.
Carlie forces her focus from me down as she plucks the handout up from the desk with perfectly manicured pale-pink nails. Her brown eyes scan over the page.
Nadia clears her throat, and I remember the document in front of me.
Serenity House Mission Statement.
I flip to the first page and read it quickly.
It covers the founders, the goals, and the principles that guide the shelter and various community initiatives.
Everything looks great.
This is not my first time working for a non-profit, but it’s the first that hits home, bringing up the early days of Grace coming to work for Ma, taking care of Mack. I flip the page.
Figures cover the paper, the payroll, operating costs, contract settlement amounts and such.
An area of business I’ve been missing. I guess I’m more like my old man Harry than I give myself credit for. I huff as I scan the bottom line and find it much smaller than I expected.
“Something funny, Rawlins?” Carlie pins me with her browns.
I’m as far from amused as can be when I pull my gaze from the paperwork to meet hers.
Hell, it’s like having Ruby across the table from me. Luckily for me, I know how to wind up clever, fiery women.
“Not a thing, Lamont.” I hold her stare until she returns her focus to the page in front of her.
“These are the most recent figures. The next annual report is due around Christmas, and that will fall into your scope of practice. We don’t have the funds for an actual finance department,” Nadia says with a small tentative smile.
“Oh sure. Can’t wait to dig into the numbers for you.” I give her a megawatt smile. I’d bet my folks’ ranch that I can improve these numbers.
Turning back to the page, I catch Carlie’s eye roll. Pretty sure the Mars rover picked it up.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised... I find a gig that speaks to my soul and land the job despite my lack of recent business management experience, only to find myself stuffed in a tiny office with my newest archnemesis.
This is my penance.
Well-earned. But over hell’s frozen testicles am I bowing down now. From what Serelle told me, they need me here. Serenity is desperate for a turnaround before they end upanother organization that couldn’t make ends meet and every last woman and girl who relies on this place has nowhere else to go.
“Nadia, from a PR standpoint, which of these documents do I need to pay particular attention to?” the devil’s offspring says with a forced smile.
“Oh, the last four pages are related to our community efforts and exposure.”
“Wonderful,” she replies with the fakest damn smile, thumbing the last few pages.
I study the fine lines and angles that make up Carlie Lamont. If she wasn’t the world’s biggest bitch, she’d be the whole package. What does Rubes say?
She’s a ten but she’s got attitude.
Now, I do chuckle to myself.
