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Oh, no. I remember the way Finn spoke about his dad when he stopped by our dinner. I remember howWillspoke about him. He was pleased when Finn said his father had read Will’s college paper. And now he’s had a meltdown at his retirement party? Not recognizing his own son sounds…bad.
“Is everything okay?”
She looks up at the sound of my voice, then shares a glance with Jim. Candy must decide that whatever this is, it’s not going to be a secret for long. “Apparently, Mr. Hughes the senior had an episode at the retirement party. People are saying it looked like dementia, even though he’s not that old.”
My face heats on his behalf. “That’s so sad. Is he all right?”
“I don’t know.” Candy purses her lips. “And the company…well. I shouldn’t speculate on that.” Someone down the hall calls her name. “Sorry if I interrupted you, Bristol.”
“It’s no problem.”
She and Jim turn away, and Candy drops her voice. “When Greg gets back, I’m going to talk to him. This is— This is messed up.”
“Yeah,” Jim agrees.
I go back to my desk. Either it’s louder in the hall, with more whispering, or I’m imagining things. Oh, I feel so bad for Finn and his dad. My heart aches for them. Being that exposed in front of all those people would be terrible. And the stakes for them must be so much higher.
What did Candy mean about the company, anyway? Hughes Industries is too huge to close down over something like this. I bet a company this size is more stable than some governments. Hughes Financial Services is probably safe, too, since it’s a big organization all on its own.
I’m probably safe.
Ugh. It’s selfish to think about myself when the Hughes family is having an objectively bad day, but…
Would this affect the permanent job Greg talked about?
I swallow a lump in my throat. I knew it wasn’t a guarantee, but I didn’t think it was false hope, either. And I’m not only interested in it for myself. Getting a stable job with good pay and health insurance and experience that will count for something matters to the twins, and honestly, it would matter even if my dad was still here. He’s not a dependable person. If he hadn’t walked out after the storm, he’d have done it for another reason.
And…I want it for me, too.
Stability, I mean. To be a little less worried about making it through the week.
You’re not very worried when you’re with Will,a small, sensible voice mentions.
No. When I’m with Will, sometimes I forget to worry about when he’ll send me home. Sometimes I fall right into the fantasy that he wants me to stay forever. That the fact that he cares about me means I can count on him. Icancount on him. He showed up for me when he didn’t have to. Whether he’ll keep doing it is a question I can’t answer.
He will,that voice says.
That voice must be in love with him.
Footsteps at the door snap me out of it. I put a professional expression on, expecting Greg.
It’s not Greg.
Will strides into the anteroom, and I’m struck by him. By his tall frame in a charcoal suit that looks genuinely happy to be on his body. By the sharp, gorgeous lines of his face. If I didn’t know him at all, I’d still stare. Knowing him makes him more beautiful. Those hands have washed my hair. That mouth has been on mine.
Those eyes.
He comes to stand at the opposite side of my desk, and the worry in his expression brings me back to reality. Will smiles anyway, a brief flicker that disappears into seriousness.
I clear my throat. “Hi, Mr. Leblanc. What can I do for you?”
He glances around the anteroom, taking it in, then meets my eyes. “I’m tired of this place. Leave with me for the weekend.”
My breath catches.Leave with me.“Where are you going?”
“Bishop’s Landing,” he says, curt, like he’s already decided and made all the plans. I think he might have. And Bishop’s Landing—I’ve heard of it. From Will, and just from living in the city. Bishop’s Landing is where rich people live. His brother lives out that way. And the Morellis, his sister-in-law’s family. It’s out of my league.
“We—” People pass the doorway, speaking in hushed tones. “We shouldn’t leave now. I heard about the party.”
