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Ben scrunched his nose and it was so adorable it hurt Simon’s heart a little. “Scared, no. Confused, very.”
“Okay.” Hudson huffed a breath in and out. “You good to go back to your room, kid? I think the boss and I need to chat.”
“This bed isreallysoft,” Ben said, petting it again. “But yeah, I should probably leave.”
“No!” Simon was surprised at how loud his voice came out. Ben flinched and even Hudson looked startled. But Ben walking away, even to go back upstairs, felt wrong to him.
“Not sure you wanna have this talk in front of the kid,” Hudson said.
Simon wasn’t sure about it, either, but he also was filled with illogical certainty that Ben would run away, in his socks, out into the winter twilight. “I want him where I know he’s safe,” Simon hedged.
“Oh, for the love of…” Hudson muttered. He got out his phone. “Yo, Bobbi, the boss and I could use your assistance… second floor… I amawarethere’s no kitchen on the second floor. I am also aware you don’t do any cleaning outside the kitchen. This has nothing to do with that… just get up here, okay?” He disconnected the call.
“She hates it when you call her Bobbi,” Simon said.
Hudson snickered. “I know.”
“Who’s Bobbi?” Ben asked.
“My housekeeper,” Simon said.
“A pain in my ass,” Hudson said simultaneously.
Roberta had been hired by Simon’s mother almost thirty years ago and intended to die on the job. She had to be at least sixty but that hadn’t slowed her down, as far as Simon could tell. The only difference from when she started was her hair had gone white and she was rounder.
They all heard the elevator run. After a few clanks and a slammed door, Roberta appeared.
“What’s been going on?” she asked. “Mr. Prince, why is there a young man in your bed and why, for the love of god, did I need to come up here and see him?”
Ben gave her a little wave. “Hi.”
Roberta ignored Hudson’s presence and focused on Simon. He felt like he was a teenager again and had been caught trying to drink the wine in the refrigerator Roberta used for cooking. “Mr. Prince?” She tapped her foot impatiently. “Iwastrying to cook your dinner.”
“That’s… uh… Ben. He’s staying with us until he feels better.”
“Uh huh.” Roberta crossed her arms under her large bosom. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Walking pneumonia,” Ben supplied.
“And anemia,” Simon added. “I meant to speak to you about his diet. I thought some healthy food would help.”
Roberta visibly thawed. “Oh. That poor boy. But it still doesn’t explain why I had to leave my kitchen.”
“I’m sorry, Roberta. You’re completely right. But since you’re here, can you take Ben downstairs and feed him dinner? And please take the elevator. He’s still weak.”
“Like I’d walk down those steps and break my ankle, no thank you,” Roberta muttered. She beckoned Ben. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you something to eat.” Roberta turned back to Simon. “And later, youwillgive me an explanation. Understand?”
Simon felt like a chastened child. “Yes, ma’am.”
With one final huff, Roberta herded Ben out the door like a mother hen with a newborn chick.
Hudson closed the door behind them and went to sit in one of the Louis XV fauteuil chairs that were placed by the fireplace. He stretched his legs out and tilted his head back.
Inwardly resigned to being lectured by another of his employees, Simon sat meekly in the matching chair.
“Is Ben the first man you’ve been attracted to? Because if he is, I can see how that might throw you for a loop. Not that you’ve ever been much for the ladies. I can’t remember the last time you went on a date.”
First Celia and now Hudson. As if dating was the only purpose of existence, as opposed to tedium spent with strangers.
