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“I’ve always left that to you anyway. Back when my parents lived here, we never even locked the door.”
I’d set the estate as well as the London property up with the best security available. Even then, I wouldn’t want to bring Luisa back here without the detail team K19 had arranged for her to have.
“You seem happier already,” said my father, studying me.
“I’m hardly happy, Dad.”
“This woman soothes your soul. It’s evident.”
He was right; she did, but was that fair to her? She’d said, in no uncertain terms, that she wasn’t interested in anyone romantically. That included me. If she agreed to work for Barrett Family Enterprises, agreed to return to Napa Valley, it would be on a professional and platonic basis only.
Rather than returning Zin’s call after my conversation with my father ended, I rang Luisa directly.
“Hi,” she said, answering once more before I’d even heard it connect on her end.
“Hello.”
“I was hoping I’d hear from you again.”
“My apologies for cutting our conversation short earlier.”
“How was your meeting?”
“There wasn’t one,” I confessed.
I could hear background noise, so I knew she was still on the line. However, she didn’t speak.
“I find myself unsettled, Luisa. Part of it is my mum, of course, but after spending the last several weeks seeing you most every day and talking to you when I didn’t, it feels as though something is missing. Not something. Someone. You.”
“I feel the same way.” Her voice sounded as tentative as I felt while sharing what I’d previously held close.
“I trust Zin has spoken with you about working for our family business?”
“He has. I don’t want you to feel obligated to hire me, though.”
“It seems my brother is taking an extended leave of absence, meaning I will be responsible for more of his duties. Zin suggested you would be an ideal fit to assist with the overflow of what I’m unable to manage. It will consist primarily of financial report preparation and monitoring assets and liabilities. Things of that nature.”
“If I can help, I’d like to.”
“It would be much appreciated. How soon can you start?” I asked.
“When would you like me to?”
I chuckled. “Would tomorrow be too soon?”
“I can’t tell if you’re serious or joking, but no, tomorrow would not be too soon.”
My heart felt infinitely lighter, knowing that sometime in the next twenty-four hours, I’d look into her eyes and see her smile.
“I’d come tonight if I could,” she said quietly enough I wasn’t certain I’d heard her correctly.
“Why is that, pet?” I ventured.
“I’m supposed to talk to the profilers in the morning.”
“There’s no reason for you to leave prior to doing so.”
She sighed. “That isn’t what I meant. Or not what I’m worried about. I’d much rather wait until you can be with me.”
