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“Just some things we might need for the party.”
It’s in a week and I’m trying to make sure everything’s in order by then. A lot’s riding on this party and I can’t afford to fuck it up.
“Did you just say party?” Juliette questions from behind us.
I turn around and stare at her in surprise. Why didn’t I hear her come down the stairs.
“What are you doing up? It’s eight a.m.”
She usually sleeps in late on Sundays. She calls it her zen days. It’s the only weekend day she has some respite from preparing breakfast at the hotel. I really should thank her soon, approval ratings have already started increasing since she took over some of the cooking.
“I had a weird dream, plus the bed felt a little empty and I was wondering…” She trails off like she’s just realizing there’s someone beside me. “Hey, Mase.”
“You were wondering what?” my son questions, crossing his arms.
Juliette and I agreed it would be a good idea to keep our relationship a secret from the twins. Things between us are fairly new and I would hate for them to build her up for a role she might not be ready to take on.
“Nothing. What party are you planning? And why do you need a miniature building for it?” she asks, pointing at what that two workers are hauling toward the ballroom.
“It’s the Empire State Building,” Mason informs her. “My mom loved New York.”
Juliette’s eyebrows rise. “She did?”
“Yeah. The party’s for her. I’m surprised Dad hasn’t told you. We have it every year on the night she died,” Mason says bluntly.
He glances at me for a second before walking in the direction of the kitchen. I grind my teeth as I realize I never mentioned the party to her. It just seemed awkward to talk about it. And I’m not sure she would even want to attend.
Juliette’s expression is carefully blank. Which is much worse, because I would love to get a read on her emotions right now. She gives me a half-smile.
“Do I get an invite?” she asks, almost playfully.
“Of course, Firefly.”
She nods before walking away.
* * *
The cup shattersto the ground in front of me. I flinch at the noise and lean down to pick up the broken glass. One of my employees beats me to it, though, moving fast and bending to grab the pieces.
“I’ve got it, Mr. Callahan,” he murmurs.
“Be careful,” I say to him sharply.
I walked into the break room to make a cup of coffee but there’s so much on my mind. I got distracted and the cup slipped from my hand while I was heading to the coffee maker.
The employee, whose name I don’t know, finishes picking up all the broken pieces of glass and moves to dump it in the garbage.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
He nods once before walking out and I sigh, deciding to give up on the coffee. We had an issue with an overseas investor, and it’s disturbing because it’s one of our largest investors. I’m not sure how to fix it, other than flying over to France to resolve it. But I hate staying away from the kids for too long and this trip would take me at least two days. I might have to go immediately after Kathy’s party.
“Mr. Callahan,” my secretary says, getting to her feet when she notices me approach. “You have a guest, sir.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Who?”
“A young man. He wouldn’t give me his name. But he said you were acquainted and that he wanted to surprise you.”
“You let a stranger into my office?” I growl.
