Page 78 of Dirty Husband
Good enough.
But then, there doesn't have to be any more good enough. I can ask Shepard's staff—the man has actual staff—to buy anything I want. I can make a mess crushing star anise with a mortar and pestle and demand someone else clean it up.
Not that I actually want to go through such an arduous task. They sell it crushed and it's nearly as good.
Mom would hate hearing that, but, hey, she's the one who loved The Beach Boys.
I smile as the song skips to "California Girls." Then I think about how Dad would always tell Mom how it was about his favorite girls now—your real California girls now, sweetheart, are you going to learn to surf—and my smile disappears.
I still miss her. But, more, I'm not ready to miss him yet.
Not that I need to consider it now.
He's up. He's cooking. Things are good. They can stay good. At least, for a while.
And the rest of my life… it's wide open. I can enjoy. Period. End of sentence.
I check my cell. Sure enough, I have both Lock and Key's numbers. I can ask them for anything.
Is that imposing? Or does it make their job easier if I'm specific?
After all, telling Key to surprise me with breakfast means she has to both come up with the idea and execute it.
I shoot her a text.
Jasmine: Can you find some Milk Oolong for later?
She replies immediately.
Key: Of course, Ms. Lee. Should I prepare an afternoon tea based on the flavor profile?
Why not?
Jasmine: Yes. Thanks. I'll let you know when I'm on my way home.
It's strange calling Shep's place home, but it's close enough.
Jasmine: Can you buy an extra tin? For my father?
Key: I'll have it sent over.
"Don't you have work?" Dad turns his attention to the pot on the stove. He stirs carefully, like he's fixing dinner for a king.
"Mr. Billings let me go."
He makes that awfulhmmmnoise.
"It doesn't look right, apparently. Me being engaged to Shep."
He does it again, only longer and lower.
"That's part of why we kept this quiet." It's a good explanation and it's almost true. "I like my job." Sure, my gig has its irritations. And, yes, I wouldn't do it for free. But there is something about getting things done. It feels good.
I want to be productive. Useful. Self-reliant.
I need to explain this in some way that will win Dad's approval. "I was worried about what would happen. I thought Mr. Billings would understand. But I guess there's no belief in love in business. Shep owns a competing VC firm. That's enough."
Again, he makes that horriblehmmmnoise.
