Page 73 of Unmatched

Seth

“Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect.”

I chuckle. A couple years ago, when Sharon’s situation started to feel really grim, Seth and I started exchanging cheesy inspirational quotes. The kind you see on day calendars or in high school guidance offices. Anton rolls his eyes every time we add to this back-and-forth, but Seth usually manages to top me, so I’m always looking for new ones. The exchange has taken some of the edge off our pain, and I’m especially grateful for it now.

Seth

Things here status quo. Hospital can’t keep her, so moving back to Sunny Cove.

Ok, thank you. I wish I was there.

Seth

Want me to punch Anton in the face and tell him to stop being a dick?

No. He’s right. I don’t belong there. But please let me know if anything changes. I’m sorry, Seth.

A knock on the door draws my attention back to work. It’s such a strange feeling, being normal and secure in one place but wishing you were sad and grieving in another.

“C-come in?” I look up, expecting to see Tomás, but Henry Hill pokes his long nose around the door.

“Hey, hope I’m not interrupting?” He glances into the small room.

“No, not at all...how’s it going?” I manage to inject enthusiasm, though I have to admit seeing my husband’s old roommate is doing nothing for my mood.

“Just dropping off Carmelita and wanted to say thanks. She’s been coming here twice a week, and my apartment might actually survive till my sister gets back to town.”

I smile, and this time even manage to make it genuine. “Oh, that’s awesome to hear. She’s been having so much fun. There’s a little dachshund named Turbo she adores playing with.”

Henry flickers a smile, then glances again around the little room like he wants to say something else. “Ah, well, give Anton a shout, would you?”

“When he’s back from Dallas, sure,” I say absently, turning back to my spreadsheet.

“Oh. Is his mum . . . ?”

My throat tightens. I don’t think Henry knew Sharon well, but I’m sure he met her at some point and is aware of her condition. I nod.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” He leans against the doorway, chin tucked like he’s debating something. I look back, ready for him to carry on, return to his business deals or banking or whatever he does so I can get back to my own work. “Listen, Lydia, it’s probably not a good time...” He pauses. “I really hate to ask when you guys are going through a rough patch, but I’m just curious if you might reconsider my offer?”

“What?” I caught ‘rough patch,’ and for a second, I was sure he’d somehow heard our marriage is in shambles. Until I stop to think about it. Anton never shares his feelings. Surely he wouldn’t have unloaded to Henry about all that and not the situation with his mom.

I knit my brows, trying to figure out what he means.

“Listen, I’m flexible about the terms. I was hoping we could at least meet to discuss before you turned me down.” He looks meaningfully at me, then glances behind him toward the play areas and reception desk. “I’d just love to get in on this.”

My eyes widen as the information finally clicks. “You’re ABizCorp, LLC?”

His brow furrows. “Yes, of course.”

My skin breaks into a cool sweat as I think of the calls I’ve been dodging from Charlotte since I told her to turn down the deal. “Um...I guess with everything happening with Sharon, I didn’t realize.”

Henry straightens. “Mind if I come in a minute?”

“Sure, yeah.” I hop out of my chair, clearing a place on the little couch across from my desk that’s currently holding a Costco-sized package of paper towels. Henry perches on the edge, obviously trying not to get dog hair on his expensive-looking suit.

“So, what can I do to make you reconsider?” he asks. “If you’re willing, I’d want to keep you on as a consultant for a time, of course, but that’s negotiable.” He grins.

I sit up in my chair, wishing my hair was neater. And I was wearing something other than leggings and a T-shirt from one of the more recent animal shelter fundraisers. I’ve barely even showered since Anton left. I didn’t leave the house at all prepared for a business meeting.

---