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Her smile is genuine, and it doesn’t take a genius to see how fond she is of Riley.
“Please tell her we hope she feels better soon.”
“I will,” I promise. “She’ll be back to volunteer with you all in no time.”
“Damn migraines,” Angie continues. “I know all about them. Used to get them often. Not so much anymore.” She looks around the room and claps her hands together. “Well, I’m sure you have to get going. Thank you again for taking Riley’s place today. And for handing out your business cards.”
I give her a half smile. “You never know where our company’s next VP will come from.”
It’s a little after noon when I leave the event. Riley must be hungry by now. I had my personal assistant put in an order at my favorite restaurant. I stop by and pick it up on my way back to her place.
“Mr. Townsend,” the nurse practitioner greets me as I enter.
“How is she?”
I place the food on the kitchen island, as the nurse runs down how Riley’s doing.
“She’s feeling much better. Still a little tired, so I made sure she’s resting. She showered and changed. I didn’t give her an IV since she’s been drinking enough and she had breakfast before I got in this morning.”
“Anything else?”
“Aside from her being slightly miffed that you required me to stay here the entire time you were gone …” She trails off.
A wry chuckle escapes my lips. “I bet she is.”
Oh well, she’ll get over it.I wasn’t about to leave her alone when she wasn’t a hundred percent yet.
“Thanks,” I tell the nurse as I see her out.
I go down the hall to check on Riley. She’s laying down with her back to the door.
“You didn’t have to make her stay,” she says, her voice low.
“She was compensated well for her time,” I retort.
Riley sucks her teeth and rolls over to face me. “How many times do I have to remind you that it’s notonlyabout money?”
“How many times do I have to tell you that she, like my employees, are paid to do a service and paid well? Which allows them the freedom in other areas of their lives.”
She sucks her teeth again and gives me her back.
“What if she has a family that needed her home today? A son or daughter who had a soccer game or something?”
“Now you’re being ridiculous.” I sit on the edge of the bed, next to her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m not being ridiculous,” she says, ignoring my question. “Money is great, necessary even, but if people are expected to be at your beck and call to make good money how are they able to enjoy it? Or take care of life outside of work? Take Colin James, for example.”
“Who the hell is that?”
Her eyes roll toward the ceiling. “A junior accountant. Over the past few weeks, he’s put in at least four or five twelve-hour days.”
“And?”
“And,”she mocks, “his wife just had a baby three weeks ago. A sick baby who’s still in the NICU.”
I jut my head back. “How do you know that?”
“Because I talk to your employees. How do you think I came up with the preliminary report for yesterday’s meeting?” She sits up and folds her arms. “Or did you not read it?”
