Free Natural Selection by Amanda Lance Page B

you.”
    “Pardon?”
    “If you can’t be bothered to pick up on the first ring, then I have little use for you. I’ll be taking you down a pay scale immediately.”
    Aasif had to admit he was somewhat relieved. Not only did Kasper not sound manic as he had before, but he had retur ned to using the sarcasm he loved so much. Aasif hesitated to proceed as he normally would, but knew that expressing his concern or the curiosity into Kasper’s behavior change might be a catalyst to set his client off again.
    “What do you want , Kasper?”
    “More than a rude greeting.”
    He smiled and leaned back into his chair. Indeed, Kasper was sounding far more like himself. “What is that expression? Ah yes, the pot calling the kettle black.”
    “I suppose I’m the pot in this scenario?”
    “What do you want, Kasper? I am very busy, and believe it or not, I do have clients other than you.”
    “Well , whatever you’re doing for them on the 18 th of July can be cancelled because I require you to be Geneva, New York.”
    There was some muffled swearing on the other side of the line. “And why would I want to be there?”
    “I told you about the fundraiser gala, ouzgal ! Don’t you pay attention to anything?”
    “Of course I do .” Aasif laughed. “I just didn’t think you were being serious.”
    “I was being intently serious. D eadly, dreadfully, serious.”
    “Insanely serious?”
    “Stop being smart and make your arrangements, invite your friends as well—” Aasif could almost see his eyes rolling. “The animal loving ones.”
    “I thought that e-mail from Mrs. Levkin was some kind of a joke.”
    “Certainly not. I’ve even managed to secure a location by myself, though I’ve left most of the other details to Emilia and the venue’s manager. It hardly needs to be said I have neither the sense nor the patience for it.”
    Aasif sighed, making his distaste instantly known. He should have known that Kasper would take this endeavor too far. “I was all for you leaving the estate for a time, even donating to this cause—closure and all of those good things. Yet, this seems like much too much. Don’t you think you’re setting yourself up for more problems?”
    “ If Emilia Ward is a problem, then every man should be so troubled.” Kasper sighed and refocused. “Regardless, if she does not love me by the time I am through with this, then nothing else will matter.”
    Aasif already had his lecture prepared. “You should not have to spend money for her to love you.”
    “But I should have to suffer.” He sighed “And this is the best I can think of aside from living without her.”
    “Fine .” He sighed. “I’ll humor you. But how, may I ask, do you even expect to go through with this adventure of yours if you can’t run simple errands by yourself?”
    “ Because ,” he mocked. “I won’t be the only one in a mask.”
     
    ***
                 
    Once word got out that the fundraiser was a masquerade, the tickets for the gala sold quickly, far more quickly than Emilia would admit to anyone but Kasper. To get the general public more involved, however, Emilia suggested a two ticket giveaway and naturally that elicited even more appeal. She was genuinely impressed with how quickly she and Elaine agreed on the color scheme for the gala—prompting the design and sending of invitations within two days. And after fliers went around the campus and announcements began on WVBR FM, alums and local businessmen alike were falling over themselves to offer items for the silent auction.
    Therefore, there was more work to be done than ever and Emilia had no trouble staying late and coming in early to answer endless e-mails and phone calls. In fact, she spent so much time during that first week managing the phones that when it began ring again one Tuesday morning, she picked it up without hesitation.
    “Home at Last animal shelter, how may I help you?”
    “Oh.” His voice was smooth and she