Read Here Comes Trouble for Free Online Page A

sank into the squeaky chair behind the desk across from Lewis.
    “How can I help you?”
    “It was nice to finally meet you yesterday.”
    Matthew remained silent. Good manners dictated he say nothing if he didn’t have something nice to say.
    “I want to talk to you about Lorena. What are your intentions toward her?”
    Matthew forced back an indignant laugh. “Who are you, her father?”
    Lewis brushed nonexistent lint from the black trousers of his crossed legs. “I’m very serious about Lorena, and my intentions toward her are honorable.”
    “And what are your intentions toward the clerk?”
    “Oh, that?” Lewis shrugged dismissively. “Just making conversation.”
    “She gave you her number.”
    Lewis held his gaze for a moment before smiling. “I hope you’re not thinking about telling Lorena you saw me talking to another woman. First of all, it was an innocent conversation, and second of all, coming from you, that would be a little suspect, don’t you think?”
    His self-confidence got on Matthew’s nerves. Primarily because he had a point. Lorena would never believe anything he said about Mr. Perfect.
    Lewis continued. “I happen to know you’re the first man she slept with. I realize sometimes there’s a certain…how should I put it…sentimentality attached to one’s first sexual partner, and of course, when that person comes back into one’s life, it could create some confusion.”
    Matthew tipped back in the chair, and it creaked under his weight. He rested his elbow on the armrest and stroked his jaw thoughtfully. “So what you’re saying is, you’re afraid that ‘one’—namely Lorena—might still have feelings for me and you want to know if I plan to pursue her. Did I get it right?”
    “Something like that.” Lewis continued to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I suspect you’re using the need for this grant as an excuse to get close to her again.”
    “What if I am? You must not be confident in your relationship if you feel the need to come here and warn me. That’s what you’re doing, isn’t it? Warning me away?”
    Lewis’s face changed, slipping into a steely mask, all friendliness gone. “Call it whatever you want, but I want to preserve my relationship with Lorena. She’s the right kind of woman. She comes from a good family, she’s attractive, no scandals in her background, and other than you, no baggage.”
    “What does she get? Oh, I know, a man who acts perfect to her face but sneaks around behind her back.”
    “You’re one to throw stones.”
    “I never cheated on her.”
    “Hmm. I must have been misinformed, then.” Lewis checked his manicure before lifting his eyes to Matthew again. “Let’s be honest here. I can give her the life she deserves. You can only offer her a fraction of what I can. You’re not even in the same league as I am.”
    Anger boiled up inside Matthew. To hold himself in check, he balled one hand into a fist. “Lorena doesn’t care about your money. In case you forgot, she has money of her own, from her father, but she chose to start her own business and make her own way. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives, and helping organizations get grant money is very important to her.”
    As a triple minority, she took pride in helping African-Americans, women, and Latinos obtain monies specifically set aside for them.
    “All of that will change once we’re married,” Lewis said flippantly with a toss of his hand. “She can help twice as many people by writing a check. I know, because I do it.”
    “You don’t even respect her work, do you? You think it’s a waste of time.”
    “She won’t have time for those menial tasks when we’re married. Make no mistake, I do intend to marry her, but I don’t need you causing her to feel any confusion about making the right decision. You had your chance, and you blew it. You enjoyed the chase, and once you caught her, you tossed her aside for the next great