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  Naomi stood and started to clear the dishes.

  “I’ll get those.”

  “Hey, it’s my turn. When I get back home, there won’t be anyone serving me or washing my things.”

  The silence dropped, heavy and intrusive. Naomi gritted her teeth at how insensitive she must have sounded. And hopefully not desperate. She noticed that Zack paused in helping to take up the dishes, but didn’t say anything. Didn’t ask anything.

  Switching subjects, she asked, “Um…is everything straight with your partners?”

  “No. I’m working on dissolving the partnership. May cost me in more than one way.”

  Naomi’s head snapped up. “What happened?”

  “Not sure yet.”

  “Don’t do this.” Naomi set down the plates on the counter. She faced him with her hands on her hips. “Don’t retreat. I’m really interested in what’s going on.”

  “One of the men that is entangled in this has a shady reputation. Pushing him out may not be nice and tidy.”

  “Can you pay him to leave?”

  “He’s not a partner, so I don’t have to pay him. I do, however, have to get rid of the person who was partnering with me on this project.”

  “Why don’t you get your father’s help? He’s got the reputation and clout to step in on your behalf and get these men to back off.”

  Zack tossed the dishcloth into the sink and uttered a disgusted grunt. Then he leaned against the sink with his shoulders hunched and head bowed.

  Naomi noted that this man’s pride could cripple his success.

  “I can hear you call me names, even though your mouth isn’t moving.”

  “Good.” Naomi crossed her arms, glaring at his profile.

  “I’ll talk to him.”

  Naomi tapped her foot.

  “Today. I’ll go to my father today.”

  “Talk to me about what?”

  Naomi jumped. She hadn’t heard Zack’s parents return. Zack looked equally surprised and uncomfortable, since he had no choice but to continue with the conversation.

  Naomi patted Zack on the shoulder. “I’ll let you two talk. I have to prepare for my new career.” She left the kitchen despite Zack’s protests. This conversation between father and son had to be done. She saw Zack turning to his father for help as a milestone needed to aid in the conflict that appeared to exist between them.

  In the meantime, she hurried through her morning therapeutic exercise routines and then settled on her bed with laptop and pen and paper. While Zack dealt with difficult issues, she had her own challenges. She had to take her own advice and place the necessary call.

  “Hi, Coach.”

  “Naomi, how are you? Everything okay? I’m heading down to the lobby for breakfast and then we’re on the move for the final game in San Diego.”

  “How have things been going? Has the fan turnout been good?”

  “It’s been fantastic. Good to see so many young girls with mothers and even fathers come out. Many of the players have diehard fans that keep track of them online. It’s all pretty cool. So many girls asked about you.”

  “That’s sweet.” Naomi missed this part of the professional business. She always looked forward to talking with her young fans. “I miss everyone.”

  “Is that the reason for the call?” Her coach probed. “Are you still in Seattle?”

  “Yes. I’m…well, I’m going to model.”

  “Model?”

  “I got offered a contract for a photograph layout for a sports magazine.”

  “I suppose wearing next to nothing.” Her coach’s disapproval came through loud and clear.

  “Lingerie.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s time for me to look at other options.”

  “How about a news broadcaster, assistant coach and just a basketball player with another ten years in her?”

  “You ever wanted to be the sexy girl?”

  “Who says I’m not that now or never was?” Her coach chuckled.

  “This is a legitimate avenue for me to pursue. I can model, endorse some items, maybe create my own things. I want more than basketball.”

  “I presume that your agent doesn’t know you’re calling me.”

  “Of course not, we’ve always dealt directly with each other and let the suits do what they have to do. Nothing has changed.”

  “I appreciate it, even if I don’t agree.”

  “This project will let me know if I’m excited about the career or just the thought of being on a magazine cover. I’ll get back to you.”

  Her coach sighed. “Let me know what’s happening.”

  Naomi hung up and stared at the animated screensaver on her laptop. She suspected more people than her coach would be disappointed with her choice. The one person who really mattered was the last to know. She took a deep breath seeking courage from deep within herself before placing the next call.

  “Grandma? Hi, it’s Naomi.”

  “Calling with good news, I hope.”

  “Good news? I think so. Did Frannie tell you?” Naomi had hoped she could break the news to her grandmother.

  “All Frannie said was to let you tell me. I’m so happy and proud of you.”

  Naomi exhaled, trying to eliminate the nervous knots. Her grandmother’s support was important. “I’ll be gone for a few days next week. I’m not sure what issue it will come out.”

  “Gone for the engagement? I don’t understand.”

  “Engagement?”

  “To Zack.”

  “Frannie told you that I was getting engaged to Zack?”

  “Well, no, just that you would have something to tell me. She sounded happy. I just assumed.”

  “It’s not about Zack.” Her pulse, which had spiked at the thought of Zack proposing to her, returned to normal. “I’ll be modeling.”

  “Well, that’s another big surprise.”

  “How do you feel?”

  “Honey, I’m behind anything you want to do. If modeling is what you want to do, then I’m all for it. You are a pretty girl. Look just like your mother.”

  “I’ll be modeling lingerie.”

  “And you’ve got the body to do it. You’re a grown woman, and I’m sure you’ll handle yourself with class and dignity.”

  “I wish you were here so I could hug you tight.”

  “I wish that I was with you, too.”

  Naomi caught up on her grandfather’s health. She wanted to ask about her mother but fought the urge. She hated feeling the need to know how she was doing when her mother didn’t inquire about her. But she wanted her mother to know that despite her absence, she’d done well. Her grandparents had stepped in and provided the love that she needed. Her grandmother had taught her all about being a good woman.

  “Well, I’ll talk to you later. Got to take your grandfather to his doctor’s appointment. Don’t forget to tell me all about it when you get back.”

  “I will. Love you.” Naomi hung up with her grandmother.

  Now that she’d talked to her coach and her grandmother, she felt much better. Their opinions did matter, but she still had to make up her mind. Once she’d committed to working with Brent for her new modeling career, she felt sure that she’d made the right decision.

  A new challenge, a new life possibly awaited her. She ran toward it with open arms. All she wanted now was for Zack to be there in front of her, ready and waiting. She knew that she loved him. But to hear her grandmother mention engagement and all that came with it like a wedding and life happily ever after, Naomi wanted that more than ever.

  However, she couldn’t honestly say that Zack felt the same. She felt as if she’d only been able to penetrate the first inches of his shell. She could offer him much, but trust was something that he would have to feel and believe. Without trust, they had nothing between them. This momentary beginning to something pure and sincere couldn’t live without trust.

  Naomi pushed the thoughts aside. Instead she focused on where
she might want the next phase of her career to go. Brent requested the information, suggesting that she needed to think, focus, write it down and then make it a reality. She’d never done anything without giving it every ounce of her effort. Going off to be a model seemed like a viable option.

  “Dad, I need your help.”

  “You’ve got it.” His father raised his hands. “And with no strings attached.”

  Zack nodded.

  “It may mean that you have to give up on the project. The council will simply withdraw the permit.”

  “What about the audit? I don’t want any stains on my reputation.”

  “I couldn’t stop it. That would have raised a lot of questions. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Considering that they don’t audit companies that are okay, this action puts a certain stigma on my name.”

  “Not true. My company has been audited because of the amount of work I’ve done. It also happened when I was relatively new to the business. It’s one of those painful exercises that must be done.”

  Zack nodded. “Okay, this will work.”

  “I’m glad Naomi encouraged you to come to me. I’ve been dying to help.”

  “I know, Dad.” Zack scooted to the edge of the chair, bringing him closer to his father. “Dad, I need to tell you something else.” He paused.

  “Go ahead.”

  “I’m going to come out and say it.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve been thinking about my birth mother.”

  His father’s hand paused in midair as he was about to stroke his head. Then he lowered it, resting one hand in the other. Finally he looked up at Zack.

  “I’m thinking about going to Haiti.”

  “Could you slow down for a second?”

  Zack paused. He felt himself getting defensive. His father’s knitted brow and tight-lipped expression told of his real feelings.

  “Do you have information to locate your birth mother?”

  “No. Not yet.”

  “I told you everything I knew.” His father cleared his throat. “You know, I don’t want you to go to your mother with this news.”

  “I don’t think it’s right to keep it from her.”

  “It was her one fear.”

  “Finding my mother?”

  “Losing you.”

  Zack stood, opting to pace in the confines of the office. “Mom can never lose me.” He chose to address that concern rather than the other topic of him going to Haiti to find his mother, maybe even his family.

  “Nevertheless, I’ll tell her.”

  “I’d love to hand over the responsibility, but I can’t. This is something that Mom and I have to discuss. You can have a separate conversation with her.”

  “Do you know when you’re going?” his father inquired, seeming more unsettled than usual.

  “I don’t even know if I’m going. The subject has been on my mind. I wanted to let you know.” How could he explain the dreams that he had? Some were bits and pieces of intense recollections as a child in his homeland. Other scenarios were of a future event when he reunited with his birth mother.

  “I’ll have to wrap my head around this. But I want you to know that I support you.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  His father hugged, then released him. Clearly his thoughts now took over and their conversation was complete. Zack took the opportunity to leave. He’d hoped his father would be more enthusiastic. Yet he understood the older man’s fears. At some point, sooner rather than later, he had to tell his mother.

  “Zack, when are you going to make me happy?”

  “Uh?” Zack halted in surprise.

  “You know.” His mother pointed toward the ceiling. “Naomi.” She mouthed. Her eyes lit up with a heady grin. “Come on, don’t play shy with me.”

  “Gosh, Mom, you can’t rush things.”

  “Look, at my age, you stop trying to take things slowly.”

  “You’re beautiful regardless of your age.”

  “Keep the compliments coming. Your father could stand to learn a thing or two from his son. By the way, glad to see you two talking. He’s so proud of you.” She hugged him. “I’ve got to run, there’s a sale at my favorite boutique.”

  He kissed her cheek. “See you later.”

  “Next time, it’s my turn to have a chat with you. I want you all to myself. You can fill me in and tell me how much you love Naomi.” She patted his cheek before walking away.

  Chapter Eleven

  The photographer and his small crew followed in a van. Naomi sat back in the SUV while Zack drove away from the city into the mountains. They passed large evergreen trees rooted into the ground like sentries guarding the land. An early-morning misty rain enveloped the vivid green landscape, making the area seem touched by faeries.

  Later they passed vacation homes that peeked through the trees. The large windows caught the glint of the afternoon sun. Despite the dipping temperatures, the bright sunlight made it look like a summer day. She might not know a thing about photography, but she did know that a sunny day with few clouds couldn’t be a bad thing.

  “Here we are.” Zack turned into a driveway and drove straight to the attached three car garage.

  “Wow.” Naomi’s admiration waffled between the property or specifically the house.

  Zack stuck his head out the window. “You can park here.”

  The photographer and his crew parked next to their vehicle. Their muted music blared when they opened the side door. Four men and a woman, the makeup artist, emerged.

  “Let’s head into the house.” Zack led the way.

  Naomi stayed behind for a few seconds to enjoy the large wraparound porch. She investigated all around, noting that each side of the house had a door that led onto the porch. The rocking chairs and swing chair added coziness to the setting. She imagined Zack and Chantelle coming here for family vacations. The house seemed like the perfect place for a family to enjoy.

  “Hey, are you going to join us? Or are you waiting to meet some of our furry friends?”

  Naomi screamed and ran toward the door. She punched Zack in the arm when he laughed at her.

  “Lorenzo, you and your crew will be staying at the guesthouse in the back.”

  Naomi headed to the back of the house and almost gasped. The guesthouse was a duplex that could sit on any city block for young professionals. “I’m falling for this place hard.”

  “Thank my dad. He’s a whiz at real estate and getting fantastic deals.”

  Naomi turned from the window. “You are too.”

  “Not lately.”

  Naomi didn’t continue the conversation with the crew present. But she need not have worried, because the crew were equally wowed by the guest quarters and had gone through the back door.

  “So where are you staying?” Naomi slid her hand against the high-end marble counter in the kitchen area.

  “Don’t even play with me. I’ve had this planned to snatch you away and have you for myself.”

  “Ooh, my alpha man, are you going to throw me over your shoulder and take me to your cave?”

  “When the sun sets, you just wait.”

  Naomi giggled. She had missed his body covering hers and his attention to her every need. By her watch, she had a couple of hours before dusk.

  The crew noisily entered through the back door. The five people talked at the same time, exclaiming about the place and their new home for the next several days.

  “Can we get started now? I want to do some test shots,” Lorenzo asked. “I won’t take all night.”

  “Do I have do makeup, hair and all that?”

  “No. Since we still have light, I want to go explore for good locations. If you’re with me, I can also take a few shots to see if it works.”

  “Okay.” Naomi didn’t mind getting to work right away. She looked over to Zack to see if he minded.

  “You go, earn a living. The other guys and I will make dinner.”

  “
I’ll go with them,” Martha, the makeup artist, said.

  “Cool. Let’s go.” Lorenzo jangled his keys.

  “By the way, if you want to ride horses, there’s a stable a mile down the road.”

  “Don’t even think about it. My last horse ride was on a merry-go-round.” Naomi shook her head.

  “You don’t have to ride, just pose.”

  “On a horse? You want me to break my neck. Zack, call my superagent.”

  “No, because I don’t want Brent camping out.”

  “Okay, how about posing in front of the horse,” Lorenzo asked.

  “How about finding a log in the woods and I just stand and pose?”

  Lorenzo shook his head. Armed with his camera, he headed out of the house. Naomi and Martha trailed as they chatted about the healthy condition of her skin.

  “We’ll head down to the end of this road, as Zack suggested.” Lorenzo drummed his fingers along the steering wheel. “Are you excited about this?”

  “Kind of. How about you?”

  “I’m stoked. You’ll be awesome. When I looked at the photos from the fundraiser party, I had that feeling that I normally get when I discover a rare beauty.”

  “Pressure!” Naomi wished she could pull down the visor and look into the mirror. She wanted to see what he saw.

  “I’m looking forward to trying a few new eye designs.”

  “Nothing too weird. I’m not doing avant-garde.”

  “I’d like to be recognizable.” Naomi tended to wear makeup when she had a formal function to attend. Otherwise, she used soap and water and a light lip gloss as her usual daily wear.

  “I’m going to park here. I see a spot already.” Lorenzo hopped out the van and headed into the woods.

  “Is he always this hyper? It’s like being locked in a room of a hyper teen.”

  “He’s harmless,” Martha explained. “He loves photographing models. Got him in trouble when he was in high school. People thought he was just trying to be fresh.”

  “You know a lot about him.”

  “He’s my younger brother. I do the makeup and he takes the photos.”

  Naomi looked at Martha for the first time, noting the similarities. She’d never have guessed they were siblings. She found their relationship comforting.