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Damn. I was dancing around that question, hoping she wouldn’t ask.
“I don’t know much, but I think his injury affected him a lot. He said he would still be serving if not for it. Now he’s just trying to do something else he loves in his family business. They own a shipping company, so I guess that fills the hole leaving the Navy left behind.” Wow, I actually sound like I know him, but hearing myself talk makes me realize Malik has only told me the basic details I needed to know. Or rather, what he allowed me to find out and ask questions about. I don’t really know the real him, and I’m not so sure it would be a good idea to.
“Gwen, I wouldn’t be a friend to you if I didn’t say he sounded like a decent guy. Please, just keep an open mind.”
Guilt pinches at my soul again. It takes a lot for a guy to win the stamp of approval from Dru. Malik has only received it because I left out all the gory details that would terrify anyone.
My lies would be fine if I were telling them to anyone else, but not her. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to keep this up for the next six months. Saying it will be hard is an understatement.
“Okay, I hear you. An open mind doesn’t hurt.” I chuckle light-heartedly, so I sound like I’m considering her advice.
“Exactly. Oh, darn it, someone’s at the door. I gotta go. Keep me in the loop and let me know if you need anything. Anything at all. I mean it.”
I think of one thing that would mean the world to me. “Dru, please, could you check on my grandmother? That’s the only thing I really need. I feel awful I won’t be able to see her this week. It might be a few weeks yet before I can.”
“Of course, I can definitely do that. I’ll go tomorrow and send you some pictures.”
“Thank you so much.” That will help me massively; I already feel at ease although I know if Grams doesn’t remember me, she won’t remember Dru either.
“Anytime, and please don’t feel bad. Your grandmother would want you to do this.”
She’s right. Grams would definitely want me to get my legacy. She was as careful as she could be with the money my father left for me, until she couldn’t. She would want me to seize this opportunity and fight if I need to.
“Thanks again, Dru.”
“Don’t mention it. Okay. I have to go before whoever is at my door knocks it down.” She giggles. “Well done again, girl, and I hope you have lots of sex.Lotsof hot but safe sex. Bye.”
She hangs up before I can even think of an answer.
It’s a good thing she wasn’t asking me if I had safe sex, since I didn’t.
I gaze out the window and mull over all the things that are supposed to happen next.
Jean will come and get me soon to take me shopping.
As nice as she is, the idea of buying a wedding dress with a stranger for my impromptu wedding is a little unnerving. Then I’m supposed to be spending the rest of the day with her. I’m usually a great people person, but I’m not really in the mood to talk to anyone. I suppose at least I get to leave the property and I’m going with Jeanne.
During my tour earlier, I got to know her a little more as she told me about the property. But I noticed she was being careful with what she told me. That must have been Malik’s instruction which was fine by me.
Of course I still have a ton of questions about him, but as I’m still trying to process the overload from this morning, I didn’t ask too much either. I’m and worrying about what will happen once I face my father’s family.
Movement catches my eye outside the window, and the red-haired maid I’d seen at breakfast comes into my view.
Her name is Kelly.
Instead of her maid’s uniform, she’s wearing a floral robe and walking along the poolside as if she’s the lady of the manor.
The first thing Jeanne did was make it her duty to introduce me to all the staff.
Aside from being someone Malik is clearly overly friendly with, what annoyed me most about Kelly is that she was genuinely nice to me.
Jeanne explained Kelly had practically grown up with Malik and his brothers. She and her family worked for his parents when they were younger, but Malik took her on to work here when he bought the house.
Jeanne spoke fondly about Kelly, but all I could think was Malik might have had other reasons for employing her that Jeanne is too respectful and decent to see.
Kelly takes off the robe, unveiling a svelte figure with a turquoise bikini painted on her body.
She sets her robe on the deck chair, and with the elegance and power of an Olympic swimmer, she dives into the pool, slicing through the water like a mermaid.
