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“So what are your plans for the day, Amelia?” I asked her.
“Well, I have an interview this afternoon.”
“Really? Where?”
She tapped the side of her nose. “I’ll tell you if I get it. So, this morning I’m trying to keep zen about the whole thing. If it’s meant to be I’ll get it, right?” She accepted another cup of coffee from Mary. “And after that, I have no plans, so I’ll probably come back here and annoy Mary while she fixes dinner.”
“Anything in particular you’d like?” Mary asked her.
“Hey, you’re mine, not hers.” I laughed.
“Can we have steak and fries?” Amelia asked.
“Okay, listen to the girl.” I said, “steak and fries and some of that gorgeous tasting re-fried beans thing you do, oh and salsa.”
“You like my re-fried beans and the salsa?” Mary asked.
“Beautiful.”
“Mary didn’t know you liked anything she cooked you. Did you never tell her?” said Amelia.
I noticed Mary hung her head low, no doubt embarrassed by Amelia’s brashness.
I sat back and thought about it. “Do you know, probably not. I’m either home after Mary’s left, which is ninety-five percent of the time, or I’m still thinking about work.”
“Henry Carter, you’re a jerk. Apologize to Mary immediately.”
I got down off my stool and stood, head bowed, next to my red-faced housekeeper who was shaking her head at Amelia. I grabbed her hand. “Mary, I apologize wholeheartedly for my ignorance. Your food is amazing and I especially love your re-fried beans and salsa. Would you do me the honor of preparing these tonight?”
“Oh, God, I think I liked quiet H, better.” Joked Mary.
“H?” Amelia asked.
“That’s what everybody calls me.” I told her.
“Why?”
I shrugged. “A nickname. To keep things professional.”
“Well, I’m not calling you that. Your name’s always been Henry to me.” She said, and I saw tears threatening her eyes.
I placed down my cutlery.
“Mary, that was exquisite, but I really must leave now.” I hopped off the stool. “Good luck with the interview, Amelia.” I shouted back into the room.
I drove to the office cursing. I was letting this girl, this woman, get to me. Why? Because of her connection to my past? She was already changing things, blurring the lines. My God, I’d breakfasted with my housekeeper this morning. The traffic lights changed to red, and I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel. Amelia was already starting to bring Henry back, but hadn’t he left a long time ago, along with his wife?
Having driven to the headquarters of Carter Property Enterprises, I threw my keys at the valet and headed up to the twenty-third floor. Situated a floor below Club S, it was easy to keep an eye on both businesses from here. Only a privileged few knew what happened on the floor above.
“What’s my schedule, Ashley?” I asked as I walked in. She picked up her iPad and rushed into the office after me.
“Macy’s bringing your coffee, Mr Carter, as I wasn’t sure what time you’d be in.”
“That’s fine. Now remind me of what fun is in store today. Please tell me I’m buying property. I’m in a spending mood.”
Ashley looked at me warily, and I realized I’d probably never joked around with her before in the slightest. In fact I would never have asked her about my schedule because I always knew exactly what I was doing from day to day. I was going to find a four o’clock appointment booked with a shrink if I didn’t explain myself.
“I have family over. Kinda family anyway. It’s caused some disruption to my usual discipline.”
