A strange sense of grief rippled through me as we parted ways. I knew I wasn’t right for him, yet I still felt a pang of loss. I understood Ronald more than he knew.
A call from Justine slapped the self-pity out of me. “Do you know anything about the rainbow pinwheels that have popped up all over the island?”
I feigned ignorance. “Pinwheels? No. What’s a pinwheel?”
“Never mind. What happened in Savannah? I expect a full report by the end of the day.”
“You’ll have it, don’t worry.” I slid behind the wheel of my golf cart.
“And now for the big announcement.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “You finally got that rose tattoo you’ve been talking about?”
“Even better. I’ve chosen your new assistant director of security,” Justine announced with uncharacteristic flair. “You can thank me profusely at the next board meeting.”
“Wait, what? I thought you were including me in the process.”
“That was my initial plan, but then you’ve been so busy, I figured I’d do you a favor and lighten your load. You’re welcome.”
“What if I don’t like them? What if we bicker?”
“You and Judd bickered like an old married couple. That didn’t stop you from being a dynamic duo.”
“I know, but that was part of our routine. I don’t know this new person.”
“You didn’t know Judd when you first met him either. A friend is just a person you haven’t met yet, right?”
“Have you met me, Justine? Someone I haven’t met yet is exactly the way I’d like to keep it.”
“I promise you’re going to be happy with my choice, Maya. And Judd would approve.”
Well, it was hard to argue with that. Judd had been a stickler, and Justine wasn’t one to blast sunshine up my ass. “When do I get to meet this new addition?”
“They’re on their way to your office right now, so if you’re not there, I suggest you make haste.”
“Make haste? Who are you sending—Shakespeare?”
“The Bard was only magical with his words, sadly.”
“I’m making haste right now,” I said, pressing down on the gas pedal.
“Good. You’re going to be thrilled with my choice, Maya. I just know it.”
I highly doubted it.
I sped to my office and unlocked the door with a shaky hand. I would’ve liked at least one full day to recover from recent events before Justine tossed a live grenade into my office.
A knock on the door immediately followed my entrance. Miguel popped his head inside. “Hey there. Sorry to bother you, but there’s someone here who says she works with you now. I didn’t want to let her in unless you gave the okay.”
“You’re the best, Miguel, thanks. You can send her in.”
“It’s true, then?”
“According to Justine, it is.”
“I guess she’ll be helpful to you. You’ve been so busy.”
“That’s what everyone keeps telling me.” I mean, it was true, but a part of me enjoyed the busyness. Less time to dwell on anything else.
