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I’m not sorry it’s Friday afternoon because all I want to do is sleep.
Hugh strolls into my office and slides his rear onto the corner of my desk like he does every Friday afternoon. He’s wearing a geometric blazer in bright orange, pink, and green colors, and it suits him. “After that crazy week, what are your plans for the weekend?”
I slide my laptop into my handbag as I’m finishing early. “I thought about driving down to see my parents. What are yours?”
“Wedding things.” He grins at me. “It’s my life for a few more weeks. The most amazing honeymoon is set.” He is bragging and wants a rise out of me.
“Where?”
“Good try, Pen. No one will get it out of me.”
I giggle, and then a cough interrupts us.
Jody’s standing only a few feet away and says in an authoritative voice, “Penny, you have a visitor.”
Hugh springs off the table so fast. “I’ll talk to you soon,” he says quickly, leaving my tiny office before stopping and nodding to whoever is standing behind Jody. “My apologies.”
I stand and lean my hands on my desk as Jody leads a woman into my office. She’s wearing a classy navy dress and Christian Louboutin heels. A Louis Vuitton purse is slung over her arm. First, I notice the perfectly styled hair until the woman smiles, and I stop breathing for a second. Not in my wildest dreams did I expect a visit from Mrs. Hendricks herself.
Jody gives me a nod before closing the door.
Mrs. Hendricks rounds the table and hugs me. “It’s good to see you, Penelope. Do you have a minute?”
“Of course.” I point to the chair. “Please take a seat.”
My thoughts are running wild with every second of silence.
Mrs. Hendricks takes a seat and crosses her legs. “When did you last see Franklin?”
I’m sitting so straight my back hurts. I swallow the nervous lump in my throat before I speak, “When he flew home for a brief stay a few weeks ago.”
“Has he called you lately?”
What?“Yes, but I’ve been so busy, and with the time difference…” I reach for my cell. “I’ll call him back tonight.”
“Penelope.”
My fingers freeze, and I meet her gaze. “Is he okay?”
“It depends on what you define as okay.” Her eyes hold mine. “He thinks the world of you, and whatever you think of him, please know he is a good man.” She pauses, and I have no idea where she is going with this. “He needs you… in New York. This damn court case is dragging out—” She waves a hand at me.
“He’ll explain everything to you. Right now, he is stressed and lonely. I’ve called some of his friends, and yes, they were ex-girlfriends, but I didn’t call them for what you might think.”
Her brow pinches. “He needs to talk to friends. Only when someone reaches out… he turns them away.” She anchors her attention on me. “He’ll never turn you away. You are the one person hewilllisten to.”
“You want me to go to New York to speak to him?”
“I do. My guess is he called to ask you to come.”
I shake my head. “Work is busy, and it’s an impossible time to take days off.”
“I have that covered. Arrangements have been made for the jet to take you tonight and have you back on Sunday evening. Royce is waiting downstairs to take you to your condo to grab a few things.”
I’m speechless, so I say nothing.
“Franklin is exceptional at handling stress. Only he received a call informing him a friend’s condition had deteriorated. A few weeks ago, he visited his friend, Damien, in New York. Every visit upsets him…” She pauses and glances down at her hands before meeting my gaze once more. This time, there is sadness in her eyes. “Both boys were in college and had traveled to Hawaii for spring break. Unfortunately, swallowing a slug while drunk at a party had dire consequences. Damien never backed down from a dare.”
I shake my head. “Franklin never mentioned it.”
