In the Red Zone by Crista McHugh Read Free Book Online Page B

his fear. He’d hated calling girls since junior high, and the years hadn’t dulled the jumble of nerves twitching through his gut as he stood in the living room of his home and worked up the courage to press send. It would’ve been much easier if Kiana had been in the office when he’d swung by there this morning. Face to face, he could gauge her reaction to his invitation. Over the phone, he had no clue where he stood.
    The only upside to this was that Sherita was more than willing to give him Kiana’s personal cell number. If he was in the doghouse, there was no way her friend and assistant would’ve been so eager to share that kind of personal information. Maybe lunch last week had gone better than he thought it had.
    Of course, Tre’s warning from this morning still lingered in the back of his mind. Would Kiana push him away because of his reputation? Or was she only tolerating his company because of what he could do for her foundation?
    There was only one way to find out. He pressed send and waited to see if she would answer.
    “Hello? This is Kiana Dyer.”
    Damn, he loved listening to her voice. It was rich and full with just enough sass to give it a sexy vibe while still sounding professional.
    He licked his lips and grasped for any shred of confidence he could get. “Hey, Kiana.”
    “Frank?” Her voice rose in surprise. “How did you get my number?”
    “Sherita.” He ran his hand along the back of his neck. Damn, this was harder than he imagined it would be. “I wanted to see how the ad was working.”
    The shock faded from her voice, and she seemed to slide back into that smooth, professional tone of hers. “It seems to be going well. I’ve been out all morning making sure we had enough tickets printed for all the people ordering them for the gala.”
    Some of his nerves ebbed, and he leaned back against the sofa. “So my pretty face seemed to help, huh?”
    “Maybe.”
    He caught a hint of a teasing note and laughed, the last of his tension fading. “Glad to know I could help. Maybe there are a few more things I can do.”
    “Such as?”
    “Well, for starters, there’s that whole public persona idea.”
    “Are you planning on planting more photographers to catch us together?”
    He grinned. If he got her to accept his invitation, he wouldn’t need to hire photographers. There would be plenty on site. “Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to catch a Hawks game with me tomorrow night.”
    A pause filled the line, and his nerves returned with a nauseating fury. He’d rather take a hit to the gut than have her say no.
    “I wish I could, but I already have plans.”
    His mouth went dry, and he struggled to find his voice. “No problem. My fault, actually, for asking you on such short notice.”
    “No, Frank, it’s not that, it’s just…” Her voice faded, but not before he caught an unspoken apology in it. She wanted to come, but something was keeping her from saying yes. Maybe she did have plans. Maybe she was trying to let him down gently, but at least it wasn’t an outright diss.
    “Some other time, then.” He quickened the conversation, ready to end it as soon as possible. “I’ll check back with you later this week to brainstorm some more ideas for fundraising.”
    “I—” She caught herself and then changed her response. “Thank you.”
    The call ended, and he stared at his phone, wishing he knew why she’d said no.
    ***
    Kiana’s heart fluttered like a hummingbird on crack as she ended Frank’s call. For a split second, she’d been tempted to say yes. But then she’d spied her daughter’s picture on her desk and remembered why she couldn’t indulge in the sinful temptation that was Frank Kelly.
    “So what did Frank want?” Sherita asked from the doorway.
    “Why don’t you start by telling me how he got my phone number?” She’d barely walked back into her office when the phone rang, and now that the call was over, she finished unloading her