Page 59 of After Care

“Fine, fine. Next week, then,” he hissed, a touch of anger I’d often heard in his voice when addressing some of his business counterparts. He eventually ended the call and brushed a hand down his face.

“Rough one?” I asked, nodding to the phone.

“Long day,” he said sitting forward. “Hey Edie, do you like Chinese food?” It was a strange question, considering I’d often ordered lunches for him and he allowed me to add myself on occasion.

“Sure.”

“Would you mind ordering dinner for both of us?” My brows pinched, as I answered, “Okay.”

“Great. We’ll make it a working dinner,” he said, pressing back from his chair. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. When it’s delivered, join me in here.” He stood and turned his back to me as he exited his office for his private bathroom. The door shut with a soft click, and I stood to order dinner.

When dinner arrived, Max had been professional as always, but I hadn’t noticed how funny he was until he regaled me with stories of the holiday temp who replaced me.

“She got her wrist stuck in the copy machine fixing a jam, but the best was when she propositioned me.”

“No!” I gasped.

“Yep. Asked me outright if I wanted to sleep with her.” Max was divorced like me. He had three younger children, as he married later in life. I could see the appeal from the temporary assistant’s side—Northwestern grad, successful business owner, still-young, millionaire—but I could never image being so bold.

“Did you take her up on the offer?” I asked before realizing what I’d said. Max’s eyes widened, playful and gleaming.

“Would you be jealous if I had?” His voice lowered, and that pebbling skin returned. I swallowed before I answered.

“Of course not,” I laughed, dismissively swiping at the air. The sexual escapades of my boss were none of my business. Rocking slightly back in his chair, his blue eyes narrowed. He bit his lip. “Green really isn’t my color,” I added, remembering all the times Tommy mocked me for being jealous of other women’s attention to him.

“I don’t know, Edie. I think you’d be pretty in any color.” The comment caught my breath, and I found Max staring at me as he had when I first entered the office that morning. He smiled slowly, and my heart pattered. Was he coming on to me? I patted at some curls near my ear, dismissing the thought.

“Thank you,” I said, lowering my eyes and smoothing down the skirt of my dress. “If we’re done here, I’d like to go home. I need to get organized there as well after the trip.”

Max sat forward, his eyes still on me. “Of course, Edie. Whatever you need.”

+ + +

My hands trembled as I started my car, although I did not feel threatened in any way. I chalked it all up to being overly tired. There was no way my boss was coming onto me, I decided, not after all this time, not at my age. He was younger than me, and David’s business associate. I checked my phone while the car heated and noticed three missed calls from Tommy during my working dinner. I immediately called him back, only to have it go to voicemail. I didn’t leave a message. I didn’t know what to say.

I miss you.

I don’t know how I’ll survive without you.

I want to see you again, now.

The list was so desperate sounding. Even saying something as mundane as I hope you had a good day sounded weak and clingy in my head. I hung up, but dialed again to hear his voice, even though it was a greeting message. I hung up a second time, determining I was the most ridiculous woman on the planet. I wasn’t a teenager. I was forty-three, but I felt like a girl again, and not in a good way. Insecurity trickled through my veins.

Around one in the morning, my phone buzzed. I was a light sleeper, and I immediately answered.

“Hey,” my voice rasped, heavy with sleep.

“I woke you, didn’t I, darlin’?”

“It’s okay,” I said, happy to hear his voice.

“The time change throws me off. It’s only eleven here.” Tommy and the band had returned to their homes just outside Los Angeles, California. I had no concept of what that looked like. I’d never been to California.

“It’s fine.” I shrugged like he could see me and shifted on the bed.

“You in bed, darlin’?” His voice lowered and a tickle rose in my lower belly.

“Yes,” I exhaled.