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“Look.” He released the door and stepped toward me. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll refer to you as my new assistant all night, and nobody will ask you a thing except how you like working for me.”
“And I should probably refrain from mentioning my current list of mishaps.”
His eyes glinted with humor. “Not that your affinity for mischief isn’t adorable, but yes.”
“You think the fact I’m a total klutz is adorable?”
“Yeah, but I also think babies are cute, and they shit and scream, so take that as you will.”
“I’m not entirely sure how to respond to that,” I said, eyeing the door right before it opened.
I knew instantly the woman in the frame was Cameron’s mother. Not only did she have the same, bright blue eyes that he had, but she just looked like she would match the voice on the phone.
I know. It was a weird thing, but that was how I felt about it.
She was tall and slim and looked ten years younger than she had to be. She had dark brown hair that was pulled back into what seemed like an elegant chignon at the base of her neck with a few wisps framing her face.
She pursed dark red lips and turned her attention to Cameron, sliding her hands over her black dress as she did so. “Why are you standing here on the steps? Don’t you know I have things for you to do inside?”
“You look beautiful, Mom,” he replied, stepping forward to press a kiss to her cheek. “We were just talking about tonight, not delaying anything.”
Shrewd blue eyes darted my way. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were avoiding introducing me to your assistant, especially since the poor woman is still standing there while we talk.”
Good God, the woman was intimidating.
Cameron took a deep breath and smiled. “Good thing you know better, huh?” He tossed me a wink and touched a hand to the small of my back, forcing me to take a step toward the woman who, I was almost sure, was of the devil. “Mom, this is my new assistant, Mallory Harper. Mallory, this is my mother, Cordelia Reid.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Reid,” I said, extending my hand to her.
She took it, her lips twitching as we shook. “The feeling is mutual, Miss Harper. As I said on the phone, I’ve heard wonderful things about you.”
“Oh, please call me Mallory. Miss Harper is my aunt, and, well…” I shot Cameron a look.
“She’s an interesting woman,” he said dryly. “Wants to know what’s wrong with me because, to quote her loosely, I’m young, rich, and handsome, yet single.”
“Yes, well, we’re all wondering that, dear,” Cordelia said simply and turned to me. “In that case, Mallory, please call me Cordelia.”
“Coincidentally,” Cameron added, “The conversation with Mallory’s aunt was quite uncomfortable. Not unlike this one. Shall we go inside before the neighbors pry?”
Cordelia sniffed. “Yes. That Louise Mayfair across the street is desperate to find out how I keep my roses so alive. I wouldn’t put it past her to start a rumor that you’re dating.”
“It would stop your friends trying to set me up with their daughters,” Cameron muttered, touching my back to guide me inside. “And trust me, I’ve been out with women far worse than Mallory.”
Although probably not as much of a hot mess as me, but whatever.
“I didn’t mean it in a derogatory way, darling.” Cordelia reached back and checked her chignon without looking at us. She led the way like an army captain leading his men to battle. “But I do so hate rumors. Anyway. How is work? Are you keeping busy? Mallory, how are you settling in?”
Wow. So many questions.
I glanced at Cameron.
He half-grinned at me, directing me into the kitchen after his mom. It was freaking huge—the white cupboards all gleamed, and the island housed both a wine rack and some seating for four people. The other end of the kitchen held a huge television on the wall and a large, U-shaped sofa in cream leather. Through a large archway I could see a dining room with a long, rectangular table, and another arch led to what I presumed was the living room.
“Work is good,” Cameron said, taking the lead on the conversation. “We booked several viewings today, and Mallory has four new properties to list on the website on Monday. I also think I’ve decided on the new permanent agent, so downstairs is expanding nicely, too.”
She nodded.
Cameron nudged me, and I realized it was my turn to answer the question she’d directed at me.
“Oh—I think it’s going well. I’ve done a lot of admin work before, starting for my dad when I was a teen, so it’s more a change of setting than anything. I haven’t spent a lot of time with the others, but Cameron’s made me feel very welcome.”
