Page 54 of Perfect Assumption
Apparently this is a normal morning ritual, because he starts shrieking. “Daddy, save me!”
I step into the shadows as David recovers his son. Husband and wife exchange a quick kiss and quiet words before David gives me a smile and a “See you at the office to debrief.”
I murmur, “Lucky me,” before lifting my coffee to my lips.
David grins before disappearing from sight.
“Give me just a moment, Angie.” Carys follows them to the door.
I continue to drink my coffee and wonder what it would be like to be loved like that, unconditionally, despite the obstacles I know they overcame to be with one another. Shaking my head, I place my now empty mug on the counter.It will never happen for you, Angie. There’s no one out there who wonders what it’s like to love you. They think they already know.
My head is bowed when Carys comes racing back into the kitchen. “I’m so sorry. I should have warned you mornings around here are a bit hectic.”
“That’s fine. Besides, it’s almost time for me to get going anyway. My boss likes things to be ready when she gets there.” My voice is husky even to my own ears.
“Angie, is everything all right? Is there anything you want to tell me about what happened before we go into work?”
How do I explain that the night was nearly perfect? It was everything I could have dreamed of minus those two minutes where reality slipped back in to ruin my life. Again. That what I want was to erase that moment in front of Dr. Kensington, to be anyone but myself? The psychologist I saw for years said one day I might have to explain my past to someone who didn’t know about it. I’d laughed in his face and said, “Right now, it’s inconceivable anyone doesn’t know about it.” And yet, it appears that might be the very situation I find myself in. And truly, was one kiss, one night worth risking everything? I open and close my mouth before concluding, “No. If it’s important, it will be discussed with everyone.”
“Then just give me a moment to get my coat. We’ll take a car over this morning. That’s what took so long—David and I were arguing about him using the service.” There’s a loving exasperation in her voice.
Realizing the subject is dropped for now, my humor kicks in. “He’s still not used to everything, is he?”
“It’s been thirteen years and I’m not used to it. But on a morning like today, I’m grateful my parents left me in a position where I can use the car service this building offers so my husband, son, and trustedfriend—” I flush up to the roots of my hair as she continues. “—don’t have to freeze walking in this obstinate weather. Now, you’re right. I do like getting to work early. And I’ll bet you someone’s going to be camped out there—reporters be damned.”
“Becks,” I conclude grimly. The two of us exchange wry glances before we make quick work of righting the kitchen. Soon we’re heading down the elevator ourselves and requesting a car to head toward Rockefeller Center.
* * *
“I must be hallucinating,”Carys drawls as we enter the conference room.
I’m in such shock, I can’t string two words together. Becks wasn’t camped out on our doorstep, but he is inbound. I received a text while we were in the car on the way. I had been furiously typing instructions as Carys rattled them off and asked her to text him back to calm him down.
She did, and Becks—being the soul of patience and decorum—decided sitting on his hands doing nothing wasn’t going to work for him. “Because making our life easier is such a priority,” I grumbled.
Carys snickered. “I just told him that.”
My head snapped up. “You didn’t.”
“Of course not. He’s our biggest client. But oh, the temptation, Angie. The urge is almost overwhelming.” We both laughed before Carys asked me to get some food after the morning rush.
“Shut up,” Ward responds as he lays out an assortment of pastries on the table. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
“Are you feeling okay?” Carys asks. Then she whirls to me. “I thought you said there was nothing to worry about.”
Before I can say a word, Ward jumps in. “Angie had a bit of a rough night. Cut her some slack. Here.” Ward walks directly up to me with a hesitant smile, holding out a cup, my name scrawled on the side. “This is for you.”
It’s a latte made exactly how I’d order it. “How—” I stammer. I clear my throat and try again. His gaze never wavers. “How did you know what I drink?”
“I asked. They said you always drink the same thing.”
He asked?I blink slowly, accepting the drink from his outstretched hand. “Thank you. That was sweet.”
From behind me, a perfectly pitched trill of laughter sounds. “Ward? Sweet? Jesus, did Houde pump some kind of herbal essence into the air last night?” Becks saunters into the conference room. As he passes by me, he studies my wan features. His face hardens. “Screw it. I don’t care if the damn paps make up secrets to sell about me. Someone better tell me why Angie looks like she didn’t sleep a wink.”
I open my mouth to answer, but Ward jumps in. “We had a bit of an altercation last night.”
Becks growls, “I hope you punched the fucker who got in her face.”
