.

documents inside their manila folder and sat back in his seat.

      He hesitated for a brief moment before responding. “Tell me why this project?” he asked.

      “The filmmaker is a dear friend and sorority sister of mine.”

      “Dahlia Morrow?”

      “Correct. Dahlia and I went to school together. We’ve been the best of friends since the first day we met. We pledged together, and I love her to pieces. Dahlia is good at what she does. This script is one that is near and dear to her heart, and if anyone can bring it to the big screen and turn it into a box office sensation, Dahlia can. She needs help to get there, though, and I really want to help her. But I want to be smart about it, too.”

      “Didn’t she just win an Oscar or something?” John asked.

      Phaedra nodded. “Her last film, Victory’s Daughter, was nominated for seven Oscars and took Best Picture. Dahlia is the youngest and the first black woman to win an Oscar for Best Director.”

      “And she has high hopes for this film. What’s it called again?”

      “Passionate, after the name of the lead female character.”

      “Has she cast her leads yet?”

      “Zahara Ginolfi has signed on to play the part of Passionate.”

      “Wow,” John exclaimed. “She’s good, and she has a huge following,” he said of the Grammy-winning songstress turned award-winning actress. “I’m impressed. What about the leading man?”

      Phaedra grinned. “She just signed Mason’s brother,” she said excitedly.

      John laughed. “The Guy Boudreaux! The black Bond himself. Very nice.”

      “So should I invest?” Phaedra asked again, her confidence boosted by her brother’s enthusiasm.

      John hesitated a second time, resting his elbows against the table and his chin against his fists. His head waved ever so slightly. “This is a tough one,” he started, meeting Phaedra’s gaze. “If you didn’t have a personal connection to the film I would probably advise against it.

      “When people invest in films, it’s the potential for a high return that’s the draw, but it is such a big risk with way too many ifs for a novice investor. Movies only do well if it’s a good script, if it has good acting, if it has good production value and if it strikes a chord with distributors. If you are able to get past a number of those issues, the film can do well, but you could still lose everything you put into it if the distribution deals fall short.”

      Phaedra nodded as she reflected on John’s comments.

      He continued, “I think that in this case, the key reason for you to invest has to be more important than the potential return. You obviously believe in the message of the film and in the filmmaker. You like and support the movie’s producer and cast. I also get the impression that you like the glamour of being involved, an opportunity to bring attention to your own photography perhaps,” he said as he gestured toward the requisite camera she always carried with her. “This is why I say go for it. Consider it a tax write-off like you would if you were giving to a charity. That way it can still benefit you if it doesn’t work out.”

      “Thanks,” Phaedra said, her excitement gleaming in her eyes. She threw her arms around her big brother’s neck and kissed his cheek. “I really appreciate your opinion,” she added.

      John nodded, giving her a slight wink of his eye. “And after you stop by Matthew’s office, swing by mine and pick up a check for Dahlia. We have to support our family,” he said, his smile warming his dark face.

      “I love you,” she said as she hugged him a second time. “And I know that Dahlia will appreciate the support.”

      John laughed with her. “I love you, too,” he said.

      Phaedra tossed back the last of her coffee. “I need to go up and see those nieces and nephews of ours,” she said as she set her mug back down on the table. “I need to see Marah, too. Is your wife upstairs?”

      John shook his head. “No, Marah flew to New York this morning,” he said. “She and her sisters are franchising their dating business, and she’s meeting with some potential investors. She’ll be back tomorrow.”

      Phaedra rose to her feet as she gave him a quick wave of her hand. “I’ll catch her tomorrow, then,” she said as she headed for the door. “And I’ll catch up with you later!” She then headed for the second floor and the playroom, where the rest of the Stallion women and babies were gathered.

      Chapter 6

      Tears misted Dahlia’s eyes as she disconnected the call on her cell phone. She and her friend Phaedra had been talking for almost an hour, the two women catching up with each other’s busy lives. Discovering that Phaedra and her family were excited to invest in her movie had been the icing on the cake; Dahlia’s financial woes were resolved and she could now turn her total focus to filming.

      When Phaedra had first voiced an interest in buying into Dahlia’s film, Dahlia had been more than ready to fly to Dallas to plead her case for all that Passionate was worth. But Phaedra had not needed her sales pitch. Phaedra, like Leslie, had been with her when the idea of Passionate had been conceived. Phaedra had brought her coffee and donuts in the middle of the night when she’d first written the screenplay. Phaedra had photographed her slumped over her computer many nights and captured Dahlia’s obsession with the story on film. Phaedra’s confidence in her had come on the heels of Guy’s confidence, and the duo’s support meant more than Dahlia could have begun to hope for.

      She swiped at her eyes with the backs of her hands, willing away the tears that threatened to spill past her thick lashes. She refused to be emotional, determined to contain her excitement. She was waiting for Guy Boudreaux to arrive, and there was no way she was going to allow him to find her teary-eyed and emotive. Everything about her demeanor when she met with the man had to be as calm and as collected as she could possibly manage. There was no way that she would permit him to see her out of her usual full and total control. No way.

      She glanced down at her watch, noting that they were minutes from seeing each other again. She could feel her heart racing at the prospect. She took a deep breath to stall her nerves. She couldn’t begin to understand why he disturbed her in ways she didn’t want. But he was the most mesmerizing man she had ever met.

      She was only slightly startled when Guy suddenly slid his muscular frame into the booth beside her. Lost in thought, she’d not seen him enter the room and his sudden presence threw her for a momentary loop.

      “Hey, you!” Dahlia exclaimed, fighting to temper the excitement in her voice as she eyed him up and down. The man was neatly dressed in khaki slacks and a navy polo shirt, with the length of his dreadlocks pulled back in a neat ponytail at the nape of his neck.