Page 12 of This Moment

“Cadie?”

Turning to look at Macy, I smiled. “Yes?”

“It was a pleasure to meet you.”

I looked at my hands and then at hers, outstretched. “It was a pleasure to meet you as well.”

“No, don’t put it down; I just wanted to say I hope to see you around.”

Smiling as big and bright as possible, I replied, “I hope so. Next time you come in, you’ll have to try my grandmother’s famous banana nut bread.”

Macy’s eyes twinkled. “That sounds yummy. I will.”

Opal hugged Macy, then pushed her back to give her a once-over as if it were the first time she had seen her. “Now, don’t be a stranger. You’re only an hour away, so visit more often.”

Macy laughed. “I will. I miss you, Aunt Opal.”

Turning to me, Macy gave me a head nod. “See you around, Cadie.”

“Bye, Macy. It was nice to meet you.”

“Same to you.”

Once she left, I felt the pressure ease from my chest. Macy had been the first person I had encountered who had been rather pushy about my past—and I hoped she would be the last.

Kian

I waited the entire day before I spoke with my parents. There were things I needed to do to clean up my cases and make notes about which partners or associates I thought would be best to take over.

When I exited the elevator and saw my mother’s assistant still sitting at her desk at nearly eight in the evening, I asked what she was doing there so late.

“Good evening, Mr. Carter. Mrs. Carter asked me to take care of some items on her to-do list.”

I slowly shook my head. “Annie, leave.”

Her smile slowly faded. “I’m sorry?”

“It’s nearly eight, go home, have a life, eat dinner. You’re not expected to be here until midnight doing her pissy ass work that she deems she doesn’t have time for.”

Her brows shot up.

“I’ll tell her I dismissed you.”

“Oh, she isn’t making me stay; I am so I can get caught up.”

I smiled. “Then I’ll suggest she hire another assistant so the one she has can leave at a normal time and eat withher family.”

A blush appeared on Annie’s face. “I’m single.”

I laughed. “And you’ll stay that way if you keep working like this. Go, enjoy your evening.”

Annie nodded, shut her laptop, then stood. “Have a good evening, Mr. Carter.”

“You as well.”

Turning, I knocked once and walked into my mother’s office. My father and she were at the large conference table looking at a file.

“You don’t see a problem with your assistant still working at almost eight at night?” I asked as I tossed my coat over the back of one of the chairs.

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