Smooth Operator Read Free Page B

shit’s been floating around the office like a Bible quote. But anyway, what’s the problem with you going to New York? It’s a new office.”
    “It’s been operating for three years.”
    “Yeah, and upper management has yet to go and spend an adequate amount of time—”
    “That’s why we hired Thomas to run the office.”
    “Yeah, and his ass quit.”
    “He didn’t quit.” Lyfe smirked. “Payton fired him.”
    “Yeah, true. She did, but he also complained all the goddamn time. Said it was too much responsibility. And no one else besides you is qualified enough or trusted enough to go out to New York, handle business, and bring their asses back home without some type of catastrophe happening.”
    “Man, please. Bullshit. Robertson could’ve gone, Dave, Patricia, a number of people.”
    “You know you sound like a li’l bitch, right?” Quinton laughed.
    Lyfe paused. “Don’t make me whup yo’ ass.”
    “Nah, seriously, I really don’t see what the problem is.”
    “First off, the decision was made without my knowledge and finalized without my consent.”
    “Oh, so that’s it.” Quinton sipped his drink. “Your ego was fucked with. Understandable. But that’s why I restrict Dominique to staying home.”
    “What did you just say?” Dominique walked over and placed her arms around Quinton’s waist. “You restrict me to what?” She looked him in his eyes. “I’m listening.” She smiled.
    “You know I’m joking, baby.” Quinton kissed her on the forehead.
    “You better be,” she said, pushing her shoulder-length hair behind her ears.
    Quinton looked back to Lyfe. “Chill, it’ll be fine.”
    “Excuse me.” Payton came from behind Lyfe and grabbed his hand. “Honey, I want you to meet someone.” She waved two couples, one white and one Asian, over toward them.
    Still fuming, Lyfe thought about leaving, but Quinton’s words made him question how bad it would look for him if he did.
    Once the couples were standing before them, Payton made the introductions. “Lyfe, Quinton, Dominique, this is Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Cunningham and Mr. and Mrs. John Chin, and they are—”
    “The CEO and Financial Vice President of the Public Employees Pension and Deferred Compensation Fund of New York State,” Lyfe said with confidence. “I’m pleased that you all accepted the invitation.”
    “How could we resist?” Raymond smiled. “Especially since you sent us two sets of first class tickets and arranged hotel suites for the weekend. Our wives wouldn’t allow us to refuse.”
    John Chin joined in, “Because if we did they would’ve been upset forever.”
    “After all,” Mrs. Chin interjected, “hell knows no fury like a woman scorned.”
    All the women laughed and the men nodded in agreement.
    Mrs. Cunningham looked toward Dominique. “Your dress is absolutely stunning.”
    “Yours as well,” Dominique returned her compliment. “I do hope that while you’re here you’ll get to explore Los Angeles.”
    “We were hoping the same,” John Chin said as he looked toward Lyfe. “And while we’re here we’d like to arrange a business meeting.”
    “Well,”—Payton batted her extended lashes—“we aim to please.”
    “We certainly do,” Lyfe assured them. “But I tell you what, like my wife says, this isn’t a board meeting, it’s New Year’s Eve, so we want you all to party and have a wonderful time. Besides, you’re here with your wives, so take the next few days and enjoy the City of Angels. I’m due in New York in two weeks and at that time we can discuss business, but until then let’s enjoy.”
    Everyone agreed and after a few moments of light chatter, the New Year’s countdown began. “Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!” Everyone lifted champagne-filled flutes in the air for a toast and cheered. White and silver balloons and streamers fell from the ceiling, scattered over everyone, and drifted toward the floor like snow.
    The jazz orchestra began