Need You

Chapter 32

I put Derrick on speakerphone as I drove. "Are you at the restaurant?" I asked. We planned on having lunch together at the renovated Ethel's Diner.

"No." He said. "I'm actually not going to make it."

"Oh."

"I have a meeting with these guys I think would be great for us to go into business with."

"Which guys?" He hadn't mentioned anything about that earlier.

"I don't think you know them. They own a very successful finance firm outside the country and they opened up a branch here about six months ago. I think A&H should invest in the firm. The profits are huge."

"Why would you want to invest A&H's money?" Amanda interjected from the passenger seat. She'd been busy writing in her notebook after I picked her up from the office.

"Is that Amanda?"

"Yes."

"I didn't know you were with her."

"I forgot to tell you that she would be having lunch with us." I said.

I hadn't told Amanda either and so I understood the displeased expression she gave me as she replied, "He forgot to tell the both of us."

"Now why would you want to invest the A&H's money into that financial firm? What is it's name?"

"I don't think you're the one I need to discuss this with." Derrick answered.

"You're not. I just happen to be present while you discuss this with the one you need to discuss it with and as an investor of A&H, I do question your suggestion." Amanda replied sassily.

"Just because you invest in a financial consultancy agency doesn't mean you know about finance what Harry and I do."

"Derrick."

"I'll call you later so we can discuss the business." He said and quickly ended the call.

I wondered if they would interact similarly if Derrick had made it to lunch.

"Why did you have to interject like that?" I asked Amanda.

"Why does he want to invest A&H's money in a business you know nothing about? If he's found something worth investing in, why doesn't he invest his own money?"

"I'm sure he would've gotten to that if you hadn't interrupted." I said. "Derrick is my business partner and it would be unfair of me to question him until he's given me everything he knows."

"Is that so?" She scoffed. "Then why didn't he mention the financial firm's name?"

"I believe he would have if you hadn't interrupted." I said. "I'd really like to know the reason behind you and Derrick's mutual dislike for each other."

She didn't answer and got back to writing.

It was almost one when I checked the time. I didn't realize it would take me so long to move from A&H to Amanda's office.

Nikki and I had spoken about her reserving a table for three. I hadn't been at the restaurant since it's renovation and I thought it would be helpful for Amanda and Derrick to get to know each other better if I went with them.

I had imagined the two of them laughing over a joke or at the very least, being cordial and welcoming towards each other. From their exchange over the phone, maybe Derrick not making it to lunch was a good thing.

"Which chapter are you working on?" My question went unanswered.

She was upset but I didn't know why it was with me. I hadn't done anything wrong, had I?