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The next morning, I wake at the crack of dawn, eager to get the day started. I begin by going for a run through the neighborhood, then follow with some weights in Lex’s gym. It’s nice to get back to a routine that feels natural. That, and I don’t want to lose my muscle. One great thing about staying here—Charlie’s cooking. She knows how to cook, and with every meal she serves, she makes sure I have seconds, worried that I’ll starve to death.
I’ve never in my life been concerned about my weight, but the amount of pasta I ate last night will be a reason to avoid scales at all costs. And so, keeping up my fitness is paramount.
My need to burn off the excess energy is also from Morgan’s text. God, she riles me up even when she isn’t around. I’m this close to telling her where to shove her prissy attitude but focusing on the silver lining—she’s my golden ticket to Scarlett Winters. Once Scarlett’s mine, I’ll demand she get rid of her and find someone with less attitude.
Geez, cocky bastard. Listen to yourself, once Scarlett’s mine. It’s comical to say the least.
Showered and changed, I head downstairs to be met with dead silence. It’s a heavenly sound, one I’ve yet to experience in this household.
“Wait,” I say as I walk into the kitchen, pausing, raising my hand to my ear. “Is that what I think it is?”
“What?” Charlie’s scanning the room in confusion.
“Silence.”
She laughs, switching on the pot of coffee, still dressed in her pajamas. “This happens only twice a day. Before six and after eight,” she says with a peaceful expression. “You’re up early and dressed. Quite fancy, actually. Someone special you’re seeing today?”
“No one special,” I tell her. “Just another meeting with Scarlett’s assistant.”
“That’ll be your third meeting, right?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I guess so.”
Charlie’s inquiring mind continues to watch me quietly. I really want to tell her to stop because I know at any moment, she’s going to put on her lawyer hat and ask a million questions. She has the inability to let something go.
“It’s odd, don’t you think, that you haven’t met Scarlett yet?”
I delay my response, purposely bringing the cup of coffee to my mouth. “She’s out of town. She’s supposed to be back next week.”
“But her assistant hasn’t scheduled anything in?” she says the word ‘assistant’ like it’s a false title.
/> “Her name’s Morgan,” I correct her. “And no, not yet. Like I said, she’s out of town.”
“Morgan, eh?” she repeats with a twisted smirk. “First-name basis?”
I roll my eyes at Charlie and let out a childish groan. Here we go again, Mrs. Meddler. Mrs. All-Up-In-Your-Business Charlie. Now would be the perfect time to air my frustrations with Morgan’s behavior. But I know Charlie will read way more into this than what it is. And what is it? Nothing more than a prissy, stuck-up, wannabe actress with a pole shoved so far up her ass, she can barely walk.
“I don’t know what you’re getting at,” I respond in an extremely neutral tone. “I’m not attracted to her. Okay?”
“Okay.” She grins, dropping the subject altogether. “So, next month Lex and I have this thing. What are the chances of you still babysitting the girls?”
“Chances are slim.” I cringe, then immediately follow with a genuine smile. “Fine, why? I thought that the work thing was canceled.”
“They switched the dates. It would be nice to get out for a few hours, have some adult time,” she says innocently. “I love my girls. I really do. But sometimes, I think I’m going to go insane. They aren’t the type of girls to sit in the corner and color. Actually, yes, but the walls not in the books. I’m a terrible mom, aren’t I?”
I steal the bagel from her plate, and with a mouthful of cream cheese, I tell her, “I don’t think it’s supposed to be easy, Charlie. I think you’re doing a great job. They’re alive, aren’t they?”
“Yes… I guess so.” Her tone becomes serious. “It’s because I work. Well, at least part-time. Maybe if I were a stay-at-home mom, it would be different.”
“I don’t think so,” I disagree. “My mom worked two jobs since I was born. I turned out fine.”
A laugh escapes her mouth, followed by another one until she’s giggling uncontrollably. “Way to cheer me up. You did turn out fine.”
I throw the rest of my bagel at her face, the cream cheese smacking her in the forehead. “You’re a pain in my ass.”
“That’s what family’s for. Like hemorrhoids, just lingering around your anus annoying the fuck out of you.”
My throat closes in. The comparison turns me off the blueberry muffin, which a couple of minutes ago was teasing me relentlessly next to the bagel.
