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“Watch a little moreHousehusbands of New York?” I mutter.
“Answer!” Skye says.
“Fine,” I groan, allowing myself to be hauled upward.
“You’re on the cusp, kid,” Jen says, ruffling my hair. “Go line up a domino.”
* * *
I callKatherine back and then shower off almost three days’ worth of self-pity. It does feel better to be clean and dry. Sipping the tea that Jen made for me, I put a little makeup on and get myself dressed. I’m feeling under the bed for a pair of nicer shoes when my hand grasps a DVD case. I shoved myPopping Roundcollection under here to keep them from reminding me of Charlie.
Our relationship plays over in my mind like a beautiful, aching montage. The hurt rolls over me again, threatening to knock me back into bed.
But no. This time, I’ve got it.
I head out into the world again, putting my game face on, and an hour later, I’m sitting across from Katherine Vanderberg. She eyes me from across the sitting room. “You look… Tired, dear. Would another day suit you better?”
OK, maybe my game face needs a little work.
“Today is perfect,” I state, plastering on a brighter smile. “Tell me what I can help you with.”
Katherine recites a list that feels like it should be on an ancient scroll, unfurled between us. “And my personal shopper has moved to Los Angeles, so I need a new one immediately—one who will accommodate my taste, not attempt to change it, yes? Next, my massage therapist is going on maternity leave, so I’ll need a suitable replacement for the next three to four months. And, of course, a gift from her registry should be sent immediately.”
I can scarcely write as fast as she’s speaking. And, I admit, my mouth is hanging open with all these tasks, thinking how I’m possibly going to get this all done. “I—okay. What is the timeline on these? All ASAP?”
She fixes me with a look. “Darling, you’re offering to be a hub for many services. With what I’m paying you, you can and should hire out. Yes, as you put it—ASAP.”
Right.
I’m not the PA anymore. She’s not expectingmeto do every little thing, I’m the person who’s going to assemble her a whole battalion of skilled professionals to meet her every need. I need to shift my mindset from bossed-around assistant to the boss of my own fledgling business. “Of course.” I beam, my mind already racing. “I have lots of wonderful resources to connect you with.”
“Good,” Katherine says, with a smile. She raises her teacup. “Here’s to the start of a beautiful—and efficient—relationship.
I raise my cup in a toast. “I’ll drink to that.”
After our meeting,I swing by a coffee shop and settle into a corner table to get started on my very first client.
Which reminds me: I have the gift for Dash’s grandmother. The bracelet we picked out for Zelda arrived a couple of days ago. Part of me wants to put it in the mail to him. But he’s a client who hired me, and I should drop it off personally—and swiftly.
Hey, it’s Grace, I text.Present for your grandma is in!Happy to drop it off - just give me whens and wheres!
Where are you now?he types back.I’m at the bar if you’re in the neighborhood.
Mavericks. I freeze.Might be better to meet elsewhere… ?
Dash replies quickly.Charlie’s out - no worries.
I exhale in relief.
All right.
I head over to Mavericks, eager to get this over with. The last thing I need is to drag out my last remaining connections to Charlie. I have enough to carry without literally carrying mementos of my time with him.
When I arrive, Dash is leaning on the bar, exactly where he was when I first met him. I pause in the doorway. Being back here knocks me off-guard in a way I should have expected. Even without Charlie here, his fingerprints are all over the place.
Itfeelslike him.
“Gracie.” He greets me with a smile. “Tell me you have the gift that will melt a grandmother’s heart.”
