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But maybe she’s not that bad. Maybe she can still work and dig us out of the giant hole that seems more likely to swallow me with every passing second.
“What exactly have you broken?”
“My right wrist and left ankle.”
“Oh my God, that must hurt like hell.” And mean she can’t work at all.
“It did for a while. Not so bad now. But the thing is?—”
“Have as much time as you need.” I take off my glasses, drop them on my desk, and rub my eyes. “Don’t even think about work. Everything will be fine. Just get better. It’s the only thing that matters.”
“But Elliot, there’s so much to do on the First Byte launch. And I was going to get most of it done after I was back from vacation.”
I drop back into my chair. “All completely under control.”
“Really? So you’ve already chosen all the furniture and the colors and which equipment you want from Netto?”
I gaze at the list of products on my screen, none of which I have yet put a green check mark next to.
The choice of chairs, desks, and other furnishings from the designers is attached to an email that’s…somewhere.
“Yup. All completely under control. Worry ye not one bit.”
“And Owen’s working on his launch speech and presentation and that whole thing?”
At least that’s one thing I know for sure will be fine. Owen’s always been the front man for the business—the public speaker, the host, the schmoozer. “I bet he’s polishing it as we speak.”
“Well, if you’re sure. I mean, I could get a walker or something and come in and type left-handed. I’d be a bit slower, but I could get some things done.”
“Don’t be silly. You stay home and get better. Do you need any help getting back? I could charter a plane for you and the boys if that would make things easier.”
“Heavens above, no. Absolutely not.” You’d think I’d just threatened to break her other ankle. “I mean, thank you, that’s very generous, but no such extravagance will be required. We’ll be fine with our return flights.”
“Okay, well, if you need anything at all, anything, you just let me know.”
“I will, Elliot. But I’ll be fine. Especially now that I know you’re on top of everything. I was worried it might have drifted out of control while I was away.”
“Not at all. Totally on schedule.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Don’t give it another thought.”
“Call me if you need anything. Or can’t find anything. Or can’t choose which pens to order. Actually, ask Charlotte about that. She’s the official stationery queen.”
Just when Charlotte has been out of my mind for several consecutive minutes, there she is, right back again.
“Will do, Greta. You just take care, and I’ll see you soon.”
I hang up and rest my head in my hands. “Jesus fucking Christ.”
“It is bad then.” Now Max is in the doorway, glancing around my office.
I put my glasses back on. “First Charlotte, now you. Why am I so popular today?”
“You look like shit.” He strides into the room, flicks back the sides of his jacket and thrusts his hands into his pants pockets.
“Is that what Charlotte said?” I am a bit tired, but I hope she didn’t think I looked rough.
“No. She said your office looked like shit. But now I see you do too.”
“Gee, thanks. Just got a lot going on.”
