Page 119 of It Starts With A No

Even now, when Clary remembered, she would have conversations with Jesus in French—as a tribute to Mrs. E.

“Sometimes,” she continued, “we’d sit here and enjoy the night breeze. It was always such a treat to be here. My parents were just their gardeners, but Mr. and Mrs. E never once treated me like I was beneath them.”

“I heard Edward Eolenfeld was a ruthless businessman.”

Clary shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I never asked about his business dealings.”

“You guys are close.” Andrea shook her head. “All the more difficult for you and Mr. Anderson to make things work.”

Clary got up and, for the first time since getting here, she walked over to the stone railing. “I’m glad we did this.” She folded her arms across her chest, pressing down on the throw.

“We had something worth celebrating.”

She nodded. Gavin Ressler’s body had been found in a car that had driven off the road into the ravine. The car and body were burned, but the police were positive that it was Gavin Ressler. The clothes the body had on matched the witnesses’ account of what Gavin was last seen wearing.

Things were finally looking up.

She had a plan to move forward with EB Co., and now she didn’t have to worry about the nightmare that had tried to follow her to San Francisco. “You bought the facial masks along with the ice cream this morning, before we had any good news.”

“You were upset about Mr. Anderson. I just left my job. I thought we deserved to treat ourselves to a girls’ night. Besides, you shouldn’t waste the bath bombs you bought.”

“True.” And Clary was glad they took time out to relax.

They had filled up the tubs in their rooms, thrown in the bath bombs, and had a leisurely soak with face masks on. When Clary came out, Andrea had two cups of hot chocolate prepared.

“Me, too. I’ve never done girly stuff like this.”

Clary turned, leaning back on the low banister. “Seriously? Why?”

“My father always treated me like a boy, and …” One of Andrea’s shoulders twitched. “I guess I didn’t want to do anything that he didn’t approve of.”

“What about prom?”

“I didn’t go. He wouldn’t stop frowning or scowling whenever I brought up dress shopping, so …” Andrea ran her hand through her ponytail. “This is the first time I ever grew my hair out.”

“When things are more settled, we’ll go have a girls’ day. Massage. Manicure. Haircut. My treat.”

Andrea grinned. “You’re a great boss.”

Clary laughed and turned back to the Bay. “You should think about what you want to do with your life.”

“Are you thinking about firing me already?”

“You’ve never gotten a chance to live the way you wanted.” She peered over her shoulder. “Be more prudent with your new salary, and you should have enough to keep yourself afloat while you pursue what you really want.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to start indulging in diamond earrings or bracelets.”

She shrugged. “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”

“That’s stupid.” Andrea got up, stretched her hands over her head, and yawned. “I’m going to bed.”

“Go ahead. I’ll be right in.” Clary pressed her hands on the cold, smooth surface of the stone.

When she was young, she’d been afraid to come close to the railing. After all, beyond it was a direct drop down the cliff and into the water.

If her parents were here with her, her father would carry her in his arms so she could enjoy the view with no fear of falling over. When they were gone, Mrs. E and Grandma Moretti would hold her hands and tell her it was safe. As long as her hands were in theirs, they wouldn’t let her fall.

Clary brushed her tears away when she felt them rolling down her cheeks.

---