When I’m With You (Indigo) Read Online Free PDF Page B

stroke of luck, I guess. I met the center’s board president, Fran, about four years ago at a conference. A couple of weeks after I settled here, we ran into each other at the grocery store, of all places. She told me about the center and the problems it was having.”
    Marcel lifted a brow. “Problems?”
    “Umm-hmm. Among other things, they don’t have the funds to pay me a salary.”
    “What?” Marcel jumped to his feet and shouted so loud, he attracted the attention of several joggers nearby.
    Caitlyn held up her hands in defense. “I know, I know. But it works out for me. For now, in exchange for my salary, they cover my rent, utilities and phone.”
    “Wait a minute.” Marcel shook his head in disbelief. “You don’t get a salary?”
    “No. But it won’t always be like this and its fine for now. I have some money saved, and I won’t starve. Listen, I need to get back and finish that proposal. I try to get home before dark.” Caitlyn stood and looked up at him. “I really did enjoy lunch. Thank you.”
    * * *
     
    It was around three that afternoon before Marcel arrived back at his office in San Francisco’s financial district. On the drive back, he’d thought of nothing but Caitlyn and was flabbergasted she didn’t earn a salary. He stopped at the desk of his assistant, Marilyn, before heading to his office.
    “Do me a favor.”
    Marilyn grabbed a pencil and pad. “Shoot.”
    “Buy the building at 1707 Webster Street in Oakland and have the deed put in the name of the youth center.”
    “All right.” Marilyn looked up. “Anything else?”
    “Yeah. Have a contractor go over and estimate the cost of renovations.” Marcel gave his instructions without lifting his head while glancing over the messages he’d grabbed off Marilyn’s desk. “Inside and out.”
    “Anything else?”
    “I want a check to them by the end of the week.” Walking toward his office, he snapped his finger as if suddenly remembering something and spoke over his shoulder. “Wait. Look over their budget again. I didn’t see a line item for an administrative assistant, so put it in. Salary needs to be competitive to attract someone with nonprofit experience. Also, call Ken and have him put in a special order for a Z4 that was needed like yesterday.”
    “Color?”
    Marcel smiled lazily at the thought of Caitlyn’s sexy feet strapped inside her sandals and shiny painted toenails. “Red.”
    “Wow.” Marilyn stopped writing to work a cramp out her finger. “Finished?”
    “No. Add a line item for the director’s salary up to say…mid-six figures. The car is for the director.”
    Marilyn laughed out loud. “Heck, I’ll quit here if you hire me over there.”
    He smiled. “Fat chance.”
    Marilyn pulled the youth center’s file from her drawer and frowned once she glanced over the budget. “They don’t have a line item for a director’s salary.”
    “Add it.” Marcel sat on the edge of Marilyn’s desk again. “Make sure their operating expenses are covered at least for the next five years with a five percent salary and cost-of-living increase for staff included.” He stood and once more started for his office only to stop in mid-stride. “Condition of funding is that everything be accepted in totality or the grant’s denied. Got it?”
    “Oh, yes.” Marilyn glanced over everything she’d written and did a mental calculation. “You know this will run into the millions, don’t you?”
    He gave her a nonchalant shrug. “And your point is?”

Chapter 3
    Two weeks later, Marcel sat with his feet propped on the long cherry wood table in the huge conference room at BF Automotive and carefully reviewed the monthly sales report that his vice president of operations, Ken, had dropped off earlier in the afternoon. Deep in concentration, it took a few seconds for him to register the light tap at the door.
    “Looks like you’re working hard.” The jab came from his father, Alcee Baptiste, who stood in the