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“It does.” A frisson of excitement washed over me. I picked up a thick slice of bread and smeared butter over it. “No grass growing under your feet.”
“I hope we can be married by Christmas,” Simon said, and a mental image of a six-month planner flashed into my mind. Our marriage appeared as a bullet point in his list of short-term goals. I grinned at the way he managed his personal life like a corporate executive.
He scooped some raspberries out of the bowl and popped one in my mouth. Folding his hands behind his neck, he tilted his head back to the sun, eyes closed. For the first time since we’d met, he radiated a deep, primal contentment.
The maelstrom of emotions of the past week had settled for both of us. He knew the very worst about me and it didn’t trouble him. The rigidity and intolerance of our earlier times together had softened. He could change and yield when I needed flexibility. I could tell him my darkest fears and most closely held secrets, and he wouldn’t push me away. I could speak of what was important to me and he’d listen and honor it.
At last, I believed that we were meant to be husband and wife. Now we had to find a place to call home.
Simon
First thing Monday morning, I directed Layla to comb through my calendar and reschedule my out-of-town meetings. I’d take as many as possible by teleconference, instead of in person.
Layla laughed as she opened my electronic calendar. “Even though I’ve been urging you for years to cut your travel, it’s taken true love to make you see the light.”
“Better late than never,” I said.
“True. I’m glad you’re doing that. Sadie’s good for you. She brings out your human side. Try not to fuck things up with her.”
It was my turn to laugh. There were very few people who talked to me like that. Layla was top of the list.
That afternoon, Ronnie Flynn came into my office for a meeting with Sadie and me. I wanted to ensure that we all understood Ronnie’s new role.
The meeting began with small talk and references to the contract.
“There was no specific job title,” Ronnie said. “Just Ronnie Flynn, advisor and consultant.”
“Correct,” I said. “You’re the opposite of a publicity manager. You are tasked with keeping our names out of the press and off social media. Maybe we should call the position Obscurity Manager?”
“And Protocol Consultant,” Sadie added. “To help me when I have to make public appearances with Simon.”
“There’s one more job you need to be aware of,” I said. “Sadie has developed a new video game with a board game option. It’s in testing now but eventually she’ll need help getting the word out, and we hope you can add something there.”
Ronnie twisted her hands together eagerly. “I’d love to be involved with that.”
“For now, you know nothing, so let’s talk about the Non-Disclosure Agreement in your contract. I’d like you to read it out loud so that I know you haven’t skimmed over it.” I sat back and listened.
“I haven’t,” Ronnie assured us. “My lawyer insisted on explaining it to me.”
That may have been true but when she read the penalty clauses out loud, she blanched. Good. Because she faced financial ruin if she breached the contract.
When we finally finished discussion about the scope of her new responsibilities, I asked Ronnie, “How did you know Sadie was not just going to Montreal the day after our party, but was going that night? We haven’t found any leaks at our end.”
Ronnie gave us a vulpine smile. “I have spies everywhere.”
“At the airline?” I asked.
“Possibly.”
“At the travel agent?” Sadie guessed.
“Also possible.” Ronnie glanced away for a nanosecond and tightened one hand into a fist.
Sadie and I exchanged a glance of instant, mutual understanding. Ronnie had just told us where the leak was without saying as much. Better still, these moments of unspoken but clear communication were happening more frequently between us, confirming we were meant to be together.
“Fine,” I said. “We know where to look. Now onto our history, Ronnie. Yours and mine.” I had her attention again. Her face tensed as she anticipated my question. “A few years ago, you joined my name to Maddy McDonald’s, back when she was plain old Maddy Davies. For two weeks you fed the public lies and innuendos about us. You wove such a good story it took months to undo all the misconceptions. First, I want an apology. Second, I want to know why you distorted what was happening with Maddy after one simple, chaste date.”
Sadie stared at me, astonished. I hadn’t told her this part of my reason for mistrusting Ronnie. I hadn’t told because I hadn’t planned on bringing it up until that very minute. But Sadie had been so open and honest with me, she deserved to hear it.
