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This revelation nonpluses Zoe. “That makes sense. They will want to talk to everyone in the house.”
I gnaw on the insides of my cheeks, folding my hands over the marble countertops. I don’t want to offend her, but I need to know what she’ll say.
“You must see a lot of crazy things in this house,” I offer.
Zoe stops what she’s doing and faces me, her dark blonde eyebrows at her hairline. “Yes, I do, and I have in the past,” she answers deliberately.
I’m unsure of what to make of her response.
“Some people might not understand them,” I add lightly. “Especially if taken out of context.”
Her grin broadens, and she steps closer to me. “There’s a reason that Ryan and I have been here as long as we have, Aspen. And it’s not because of my cooking.”
I smile weakly.
“Discretion is the cornerstone of our employment, regardless of the NDAs we’ve signed. We believe in living and letting people live, too. However you want to enjoy your lives is up to you, as long as you’re not hurting other people.”
The sincerity in her words sags my shoulders, and I could have kissed her, but of course I don’t.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m just doing my job.”
“Aspen?” Lily calls out. “Can we go to the park now? You said if I was patient and quiet, we could go to the park and play on the turtle slides.”
“Yes, honey. You have been super patient and super quiet. Let me change out of this outfit, and we’ll go anywhere you want to go.”
“Promise?”
“I promise,” I reply. “Let’s go enjoy this day, finally!”
CHAPTER 23
Flint
Finally, a light flashes at the end of the tunnel.
For all of Allister’s screwups, I’ve brought back seventy-five percent of the accounts he’s lost and kept them under my name so my brother cannot mess up that end of the business again. I’m sure he’ll find something else to sabotage down the line, however.
The buildings that have been giving me so much of a hassle in Central Park are finally underway after almost a year of back and forth with contractors, inspectors, and other red tape. Work is looking up.
I’m not sure what time the inspection is happening, but I hope it’s soon. Aspen is already wearing the floors down with her pacing.
“You know, maybe it’s better if you’re not here,” I suggest. “Why don’t you take Lily out for ice cream?”
“Ice cream?” Lily’s ears perk up like a golden retriever. “I like ice cream, Aspen.”
Aspen eyes the child, already sold on the idea, but looks at me. “I should be here, too, don’t you think?”
“No. Or I wouldn’t have suggested it. Make sure you put it on the credit card. I noticed you haven’t used the card for much.” I study her features, and she blushes under my scrutiny.
“You pay me enough that I can afford to buy things for Lily,” she mumbles.
“You’re not supposed to pay out of pocket for anything,” I remind her. “Oh, and on that note, you don’t have to worry about your other problem, either. That’s handled now.”
“What?!” she gasps. “What does that mean?”
I step closer and lower my voice as Lily bounces impatiently by the door. “I have a guy who is adept at cleaning up credit reports—quickly. Your credit is in good standing again.”
