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Me: At home—black with a splash of cream.
Me: Starbucks—Espresso Con Panna
Me: Dunkin—Iced Coffee with Cream
Then I stare at the screen, knowing this isn’t what he meant, but coffee is its own food group in my life, so no matter where we decide to go, I have a standard order.
Instead of sitting on this cream couch praying I don’t mess it up, I get up, head to my bedroom, and call Henley.
“Stop yelling, you two,” Henley says as she answers the phone.
“Sounds like it’s been a great day,” I comment between chuckles. “Don’t yell at my little darlings.”
“They’re not darlings today, more like demons.” She sighs in my ear and I can tell she’s at her wit's end.
“But they are your demons, so be kind to them so they don’t eat you in your sleep.”
Then she laughs. “Girl, these tiny vampires have sucked all the life out of me today. I’m ready to get them in bed and relax with a glass of wine.”
Some days I wish I had what Hen and Nik have. Two people who are devoted to each other and their children, even when they are little devils. But my life hasn’t gone that direction, which is exactly why I’m sitting here on my ass doing nothing.
“So, how was day one with Xan?” she asks me.
“Well, I met his housekeeper in my panties and sleep shirt. But I’ve not seen him yet today. I spent hours pacing around. Then I tried to read a book I found, but it was boring. So I watched a bit of television. It was boring as fuck, and I have no idea how I will survive if this is what he wants from me.” Mr. Big swats at me from his perch on my pillow and I rub his back as he purrs.
“Sounds lovely.” Sarcasm drips from her tone because she knows I won’t survive another day like this. I need to use my brain and move my body.
“Right? We’re going to have a come to Jesus meeting tonight, and I’m going to be Jesus. I know that I agreed not to work while I’m here, and I did take the time off, but I have to do something so I don’t lose my mind.”
She laughs at the Jesus comment because it’s one of my standards. When you work with the kind of clients we do, this has to happen at least once a week.
“Well you’re welcome to hang out at the Hen House while you’re in town.” She comments. Then she covers the phone and I can hear her muffled screams at Nik and the kids to come eat.
“I’ll think about it.”
Allowing my body to relax, I lay back across the bed and we chat for a few more minutes before she signs off to go feed her family. I close my eyes and make a mental list of what I can do while I’m in the city. I’m pulled out of my own world when I hear the front door open and Alexander calls my name.
“Kollyns?” he says, more of a question than a statement.
“Coming,” I respond, standing and making sure I’m not a wrinkled mess. It’s time to put my work face on and clear some things up.
Chapter 7
Xan
COMMUNICATE ALWAYS
When I walk through the door, the house looks like it does most nights when I return home—cold and sterile. I don’t know why I thought it would be any different tonight.
“Kollyns,” I call out, wondering where she is.
Then she walks out of the hall, smoothing her basic top and navy pants. Did this woman really wear suit pants and a work shirt all day? She is a pretty woman, but there is no way I’m wearing a suit just to sit around at home.
“How was your day?” We lock eyes, and her face is devoid of emotion, so she’s most likely pissed about something. Though why she’d be mad at me when I haven’t been here all day is perplexing. Dropping my keys and briefcase on the entry table, I make my way to the living room.
“Fine.” Her response is short and clipped, then she places her hands on her hips.
“Is there something I can help you with?” I ask, vacillating between wanting to know what's wrong and remembering that I don’t like people in my space.
