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“Letting him go under these circumstances is a gray area. I’ve discussed it with my attorney. On the one hand, community building and client support are key components of Blue Water’s formula. That Tristan’s actions were deemed threatening enough to warrant a protection order gives me reason enough to let him go. But, other than one minor infraction, he’s been a model employee with a file full of commendations from clients. So it’s tricky.”
Dad grunted. “Sounds like a sticky wicket.”
“To be sure,” Drew said as he entered the room. He sat on my other side and took my hand.
“What do you think of Mr. Blaylock’s behavior?” Dad asked him.
“I think things I can’t repeat in public, sir.”
“Ah.” Dad nodded. “I suspect we all feel the same way.”
“Quite,” Drew agreed. “But I’m a lot less forgiving than Brick and Aithan.”
My dad arched a brow. “You know, Zelda’s never explained the origins of that nickname.”
Drew slowly looked from Dad to me. “Are you really gonna leave me hanging like this, babe?”
I giggled. “You strung yourself up.”
“Any chance I can get a pass?”
Dad slowly shook his head. “Nope.”
“Oh, for crying out loud, Hob,” Mom said as she came into the room carrying a tray of food. “It’s from the Commodores’ song ‘Brick House’.”
Aithan rose and took the tray from her. “Can I help with anything?”
“Well, I know that, Undine. But what does it mean to Drew? That’s what I’m asking.”
“There’s a stack of blue cups and a water pitcher in the kitchen. Would you bring those?” she asked Aithan then said, “It means he likes the way Zelda looks. Stop making the poor boy squirm.”
Dad squinted at her. “Undine, that young man’s not poor by a long shot.”
“I know.” She unloaded fruit, crackers, and cheese from the tray. “Drew, show him the house you just bought. That’ll shut him up.”
“What’s this?” Dad asked. “In Seattle?”
I replied, “Up on Queen Anne.”
“Where are my friggin’ reading glasses?” he muttered as he scanned the room.
“Here.” Mom slapped a black case into Dad’s hand as Aithan returned from the kitchen. “Got pairs in every damn room of this house and you still can’t find them.”
Laughing, I grabbed Drew’s phone as he pulled up the listing then went and sat on the arm of Dad’s chair. “Here.”
He peered at the house. “Very nice. Big but old.”
“Nineteen oh six,” Drew said, “but completely renovated this year.”
“Oh yeah?”
I nodded. “New electrical, plumbing, and heating. New roof, new insulation, new mainline. Plus, they added windows and those decks across the back. Completely new kitchen and restored bathrooms.”
Mom remarked, “All the character with none of the inconvenience. It’s lovely, Drew. I think you did very well.”
He flashed her that charming grin of his.
“Helluva view,” Dad said. He peered over his glasses at Drew. “Helluva price, too.”
