“I understand. But ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ is a stupid platitude. Try being direct without being hurtful. ‘You’re beautiful and wonderful, and you will one day make someone very happy, but it needs to be with someone else and not me.’”
Ugh. That would definitely bring on the tears. I nod. I need to say it more diplomatically. “For now, please cancel the dinner, and she can call me to reschedule. She has my cell phone number.”
I need to block her.
Ms. Day leaves, and I pick up the phone and call Mason.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call you back yesterday. Corrine is dealing with the estate in Maui for a few weeks since the majordomo quit.”
“Running off the staff already?”
“Sure does sound like it.” I turn my chair and stare out at the gray, almost-spring day. We get spoiled when we have a beautiful day here and there this time of year. “What’s going on?”
“I was curious if you’d heard anything more from Jeff Wong?”
I sit up straight in my chair. “I haven’t. He left a message a while ago, but never got back to me after that. Have you? Is Hydro making a move?”
“Not that I’m aware of. It’s going on four months since you applied for the patent, and I thought we’d have heard if we’re being moved on to the next step by now.”
“I’ll have Corrine look into it.”
“Are you around this weekend?”
“I was thinking about going out to the estate. What’s going on?”
“Nothing really. Caroline and her friends are headed out of town. Dillon and I were putting together a few rounds of golf.”
Not tempting enough to miss seeing Corrine. “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass.”
“I was serious about going somewhere else for our poker game. Do you think we could hole up at your place?”
“Corrine was going to find out if Jonathan Best could come out and manage it. But really, the biggest issue is that I won’t know where we are with the renovations until next week.”
“That works. Let me know. And let me know about the patent situation.”
“Sure thing.”
I call Corrine.
“Hey,” she says in greeting. Her voice brings my blood pressure down a few notches. “What did the police want?”
I tell her how great Damien was. “Also, they say they found my fingerprint in Cecelia’s room. I was never in her room.”
“Is that all they have?” she asks.
I take a deep breath. Corrine and I are not on solid ground, but I feel like if I don’t say something, I’ll be sorry. “Two things actually. Jefferson Industries was trying to sell Cecelia a solar battery for the computers she was working on. She and I got in an argument about it at breakfast.”
“That doesn’t mean you’d kill her.”
“That’s what I say. But the police seem to think Cecelia was upset with me over a friend of hers she’d set me up with, because things didn’t work out.”
“Why would she care about that?”
“This woman is now saying I’m the father of her child.”
“I see.”
“Corrine, things aren’t as solid between us as I’d like, but I promise you, it would be impossible for me to be the father of her child. She and I met once for drinks. That’s it. Nothing more. I swear.”
“I believe you. You have a history, and I’m sure this is bound to happen. Bobby had women who did the same thing to him.”
I rub my hand over my face. “I’m not an ass like Bobby. I’m embarrassed to tell you how many women I’ve slept with, but I’ve always been careful. I promise.”
“Did the police say anything else?”
“Those were their talking points. Damien was good. We got all we needed out of them, and he shut it down.” Corrine’s quiet a moment. “He’s older than I thought he’d be,” I add.
“Damien used to work for Gabby’s dad. They met her sophomore year, and he was smitten. He came out with us from Texas. Well…he came out to San Francisco for Gabby. He’s a good lawyer. I’m glad you liked him.”
“Did Gabby decide you both were coming here or did you?”
“She did. She wanted me away from my dad.”
“I’m glad she did—not just because she brought you, but because today would have been hard without Damien.”
“Hopefully the police get this figured out soon. I can’t believe you’d be a serious suspect. Nate must be so frustrated at this point.”
“Speaking of Nate, any luck with Jonathan?”
“He’s going to talk to Gillian and get back to me.”
“Outstanding.”
“I may have to do a bed count and check to make sure things are up to your friends’ standards. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I think so. We have the space if the renovations are done. Maybe in a month or so?”
“Okay. And, you know, if the police come by again, you should reach back out to Damien.”
“Yes, I will. Damien’s sending a retainer agreement. I’ll also have you know that Ms. Day scolded me today.”
“She did? About something other than doing personal errands?”
“Yes.”
She chuckles. “What do I need to stop doing?”
“She wouldn’t tell Valerie I would call her later if I didn’t mean it. I’m too angry with her for doing what she did to talk to her right now.”
She laughs. “I’m the person who breaks up with your girlfriends all the time.”
I squeeze my eyes shut in frustration. “I tell them up front I’m not looking for a relationship. It’s not
