Page 107 of One Big Little Secret

By the time I finish work, I’m buzzing.

A vacation.

A real-life honest break from worrying myself sick about everything from money to what we’re having for dinner.

Look, I love Arlo, but it’ll be great to get away somewhere without him and just breathe for a few days.

I don’t let myself think about Patton or that look in his eyes when he invited me on this trip. That’s more complicated than the getaway I need.

Before heading home, I stop off at the Higher Ends office to drop off some paperwork—a thick stack of suggestions from the cleaning staff about process improvements for their jobs. Patton wants to work on employee retention strategies, especially with commercial grade cleaners in short supply around town.

The first time I walked into this sleek glassy building, I felt like an ant.

Now, I’m familiar enough to wave at the receptionist as I head inside. This time of day it’s almost empty, and after leaving the cards in Patton’s inbox like he requested, I make my way to the exit.

“Miss Hopper!”

I turn to see a familiar face hurrying toward me with a bunch of fresh flowers in her arms. Evelyn Hibbing?

“Mrs. Hibbing, hello. What brings you here?”

“Call me Evelyn, dearie, please. Everyone does.” She pauses to look fondly at the flowers in her arms, cascading shades of reds and yellows. “Lovely, aren’t they?”

“Totally. They smell like spring!”

She sighs proudly.

“One of my favorite things about flowers, you know. I came by with these to brighten up the place. Delly and I were at the market this afternoon and I thought the boys would enjoy a little color. So much better than the plastic wreaths they’ve kept up this whole dreary winter.”

“That’s so nice of you,” I say.

“It’s my pleasure, you know. Especially when they’re taking time away from work to look into this little experiment I proposed in moose country.” She smiles and pauses, pursing her lips. “I don’t suppose you’ve heard anything?”

I hesitate.

“Uh, no. I don’t sit in for executive strategy meetings or anything, unfortunately. Patton hasn’t mentioned it much to me directly, though I’m sure it isn’t far from his mind.” I try to sound cheerful, knowing my market research tells me they’re considering it.

But I can’t stand to get her hopes up, if they decide it’s a no-go.

“Oh, yes, yes, yes. I just thought—well, you and Patton have such delightful chemistry.” She claps her hands together. “But that doesn’t mean you have any unique insights into the business, I understand.”

If I’d been drinking, I’d have sprayed it in her face.

Instead, I choke on my dry words. “We don’t have—um,chemistry. I hope you didn’t get the wrong impression about us?”

“No, perish the thought. But what do you girls call it these days, dearie?Tension?” Evelyn winks. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. I know how these things go, particularly with a little boy in the mix.”

“There’s no big secret, Evelyn. We’re not dating,” I insist, though every denial just sounds more like a lie.

What if she’s right?

Ugh, I don’t want to think about it.

“Here’s a friendly tip—if you’re looking to surprise him, Patton loves a good juicy cheeseburger. You’d think with all the money that family has, he’d prefer something more sophisticated, but you’d be surprised. He inherited his father’s palate, I believe. Simple.”

“I see,” I manage numbly.

“Now, I’m not suggesting you take him to a drive-in or anything so obvious. Butifyou two kids go out for a business meeting and you just so happen to wind up at your favorite greasy spoon, put in a good word for old Evelyn, would you?” She sniffs the flowers in her arms and seems to sag, like the bones holding her up are collapsing. “I don’t mean to burden you or complicate your life. I just haven’t aged as gracefully as Delly, you see.”

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