Page 47 of The Facilitator: Part 2
“I think we need avacation.”
“That would be nice, maybe we could get away for a few days after Gabriella and Alex’swedding?”
“How about you fly home with me, my real home? I really ought to visit my dad, and it might soften the blow for Gabriella when her mom finds out she alreadymarried.”
“That would be lovely, but what aboutwork?”
“There are plenty of people who can cover for you,” he said,smiling.
“Let’s doit.”
The thought of a trip back home kept the smile on his face and I was pleased. It eased the frown lines that seemed permanently etched on his forehead. Although he denied it, he must have gotten homesick from time to time and his ageing father had to be a concern forhim.
“Tell me about where you live,” Isaid.
He kept his eyes closed and his head rested back as he told me about the house he’d grown up in. The family had moved to LA once his mother had died, although his father still owned the house in South Carolina. He told me his dad just couldn’t bear the thought of living in the same house. A slight bitterness had crept into Mackenzie’s tone of voice. As he’d gotten older, Mackenzie’s dad wanted to return to his old haunts but not to the house. The condo Mackenzie had organised was perfect, he’d toldme.
“The more I think about it, the more I’m excited to take you home.” He grabbed his phone from the smalltable.
“Mary? Yes, I know it’s late…well, it’s notthatlate…yes, I know you’re not at work…” he sighed. “Mary, can I get a word in,please?”
I could hear her nattering in the background and I stifled a laugh as he rolled hiseyes.
“Are you done?” he asked. “Thank you, I’m honoured to have your attention in your private time. I need you to book me two first-class flights tomorrow, and I’m asking now because I’m not in the office tomorrow and I’ll likely forget. I’ll text the details, if that’s okay. No, I don’t want to fly tomorrow, I’m asking if you could book themtomorrow.”
He laughed at something she’d said before he thanked her and saidgoodbye.
“She called me an eejit. Is that a good word?” he said. I couldn’t answer forlaughing.
He scrolled the Internet on his phone before finding details of a flight he wanted. He texted the details to Mary and copied it to me. We were going to travel a couple of days after Gabriella and Alex. It would have been nice to travel with them but their flight was full, he toldme.
I smiled as I finished my coffee. Mackenzie stood and made his way into the kitchen, he was ready to prepare dinner for us. I watched him slide his tie free of his collar; he rolled it over his hand and then left it on the breakfast bar. He rolled his sleeves to his elbows then gave me a wink as I stared athim.
