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Whoever the hell ordered that food missed out. Berk said it was some of the best pizza he’s ever had.
“I appreciate that,” Berk concedes. “I still want to know why you’re here.”
“Maren,” I say her name to him for the first time.
He tugs on the bottom of his blue T-shirt. I suspect I interrupted him mid-workout judging by the shorts he’s wearing and the fact that sweat was dripping from his forehead when he confronted me in the hallway.
Berk converted one of the bedrooms into a mini home gym so he can spend more time with Stevie. He cherishes every second he has with that kid. I do too.
“Maren,” he repeats her name. “That’s pretty.”
“She’s pretty.” The words fly out before I can stop and think.
My brother’s curiosity is peaked. I see it in the way the corners of his lips curve up and the tilt of his chin. “Tell me about Maren.”
“Who?” Stevie rounds the corner dressed in dark jeans and a colorful sweater emblazoned with a unicorn picture. On her feet are the sneakers I bought her last month. They’re white with pink polka dots.
“My assistant.” I look to my brother for his reaction.
Both of his brows arch. “Maren is your assistant.”
“Wow.” Stevie starts toward the fridge. “I like her name. What is she like?”
Home.
I chase that away because where the fuck did that come from?
“She’s smart,” I answer honestly.
Stevie glances over her shoulder at me. “Smart is good. What else?”
“Maren is kind,” I offer. “She’s taking care of Dudley.”
“I need to meet her.” Stevie places a small mason jar filled with something that looks slimy on the counter. “I want to see Duds.”
I watch as my niece unscrews the lid of the jar before she plops a spoon into the mess inside.
“Are you going to eat that?” I lean back on my stool.
With a nod, she shoves a spoonful into her mouth. “Daddy makes the best overnight oats ever.”
Berk tosses me a look. “You should try them sometime, Keats.”
I push back to stand. “Hard pass.”
“Are you going to work dressed like that?” Stevie takes in my jeans and hooded sweatshirt.
I lift my chin. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“If you were in my class, I’d say nothing, but you’re an adult.”
I spin in a circle. “I’m the boss. I can wear what I want.”
That earns me an eye roll. “Wear your dark blue suit with the pink silk tie. And those brown shoes that are on the second shelf in your closet.”
“I’m supposed to take fashion advice from an eight-year-old?” I laugh.
She drops her spoon and heads toward me with her hands planted firmly on her hips. “Trust me, Keats. It’s your best look.”
I don’t know why, but I trust the kid. I plan on showering and putting on the suit when I get home.
“What color shirt?” I ask.
She purses her lips together. “Go with white. That way the tie will pop.”
“Done.” I lean forward to plant a kiss on the top of her head. “Learn something new today.”
“You too.” She smiles.
“Smart…as a whip,” I quip.
She throws her head back in laughter. “Yes, I am.”
Berk takes a step forward. “We’ll talk more later?”
He’s curious about Maren. I don’t blame him. I haven’t talked to my brother about a woman in a hell of a long time. “You bet.”
“I want to meet Maren, “ Stevie says as she marches back to her jar of oats. “I miss Dudley.”
“I’ll make that happen.” I toss her a wave. “I think you’ll like her.”
Stevie scoops up a spoonful of her breakfast. “If you do, I know I will.”Chapter 20MarenI spent most of today handling clerical duties for Keats. I saw him briefly this morning when he arrived at the office. I was hoping we’d get a few moments alone to talk about what happened last night, but Everett demanded a meeting with him.
That lasted almost an hour, and by then, it was time for Keats to head across town to speak with a scout who has been keeping tabs on two players on a high school basketball team.
As he was leaving, he stopped at my desk and promised that he’d be back early this afternoon.
It’s quarter after three now, and if he doesn’t stroll off that elevator soon, I’m going to send out a search party to find him. I’ve tried texting him twice and called once, but I’ve gotten no response from him.
I realize that he likely silenced his phone during his meeting, but part of me wonders if he’s ignoring it because he’s focused on something other than business.
I broke down mid-day and searched for my boss’s name online.
I did that after spending over an hour learning everything I could about the Newman family. My time working at Knott Public Relations taught me that there’s value in understanding the people you do business with.
