Me: Good morning. How are you feeling?
Jackson: Missing you. I just got into the office.
Me: Enjoy your day. Talk to you later.
I make my way to the kichen, and Leilani is offering eggs, but I think the scramble is too much. “Can I have some fruit—maybe a few slices of pineapple and whatever you have? With toast and coffee?”
“Of course. How does tuna poke sound for lunch today?”
“Yummy.” Tuna poke is one of my favorites, and I’m sure Leilani’s is absolutely fantastic.
“Any requests for dinner?” She busies herself around the kitchen, chopping pineapple and mango. When she offers me fresh coconut, I nod enthusiastically.
I haven’t had anything she’s made that hasn’t been outstanding.
“Something healthy?” I offer. I’m going to gain forty pounds at this rate.
“I’ll come up with something. Are you okay with fish twice a day?”
“Without a doubt.”
“The guys went fishing, and I have a dozen mahi-mahi filets we can throw on the grill tonight.”
“Sounds fantastic.” My mouth is already watering.
“I’ll need to roast the chickens, but I can’t bring myself to do it yet.”
Mo, one of the groundskeepers, is inside getting coffee and listens to her. “You hated Gigi.”
“Who is Gigi?” I ask.
“She was the egg-laying hen,” Leilani explains. “She was mean as a wild boar on a hunt, but that didn’t mean I wanted her dead.”
She begins to weep again. I reach for her hand. “I’m really sorry.”
“I swear, I don’t know why I’m so upset. Mo’s right. She was a mean bird, but I always rationalized that I wouldn’t be happy if someone was taking all my hard work either.”
After I’ve eaten my pineapple, coconut, and a few slices of mango, I take my toast and coffee into the library.
I check in with Ms. Day. She’s managing. She wouldn’t be a great fit to replace me permanently, but for now, she’s taking care of the phones and Jackson’s schedule okay.
Before I know it, Leilani brings my tuna poke lunch in. I feel bad I’m not eating with the rest of the staff, but I’ll lose the team in California in a few hours, and the team back east is already gone for the day.
I call Jackson just after 7:00 p.m. his time. He sounds beat. “How did it go today?”
“Good enough. I’ve been reminded I’m getting old.”
I laugh. “We’re going to have to put you out to pasture at thirty-two?”
He laughs. “I like that you always make me laugh and call me on my shit.”
“Isn’t that in my job description?”
“The line ‘Duties as assigned’ fits perfectly.”
“How much longer are you sticking around at the office?” I ask.
“I have two more things to accomplish, but I may try to get them done later. I didn’t sleep well on the plane.”
“I didn’t sleep well last night without you either.”
“I hope that means that you’re considering moving into my apartment when you return.”
“I don’t know yet. It’s tempting, but it’s also scary.”
“I promise to put the whips and chains away,” he teases.
“Damn it, I was hoping they were there to stay.”
“You’re such a tease.”
“When have I ever told you no?” I ask.
He doesn’t respond, and I realize he’s thinking about the first time we came back from Hawaii, and I moved home.
“I mean sexually,” I add.
“You’re going to give me a hard-on,” he warns.
“I’m sure I can give you a better reason to have a hard-on.”
“I’m going to go home and rub one off while I look at the naughty pics you sent me. Then I’m going to get some sleep and be back in the office by five.”
“Wow, you’re ambitious.”
He chuckles.
“Have a good night,” I say in my sultry voice.
Chapter 32
Corrine
I’ve searched everywhere for the necklace. Turns out it wasn’t in the bathroom like I thought. Where the hell did I put it? I took it off to shower, and then I moved from the master bedroom downstairs, and I’ve checked both places. No one really ventures down to my room, so I’m positive I tucked it somewhere safe. But I can’t find it, and I’m mad at myself for not being able to remember where I put the damn thing.
My cell phone rings, distracting me from my frustration. The number’s blocked, and usually, I don’t answer blocked calls because they’re just trying to sell me something. But for some reason, this time I do.
“Hello?” I say with disdain.
“Corrine, this is Nate Lancaster.”
Oh crap. Backpedal quick. “Hey, Nate. Thanks for getting back to me.”
“No problem. I’m a little slow these days.” He sounds depressed, and I don’t blame him.
“I’m really sorry about Cecelia.” I take a deep breath, not sure if he wants condolences, but I decide it’s the right thing, and I need to manage my own grief. “I worked with her on the Lancaster Foundation. She was a visionary and an inspirational woman. I loved working with her and miss her terribly.”
He doesn’t respond, and I’m sure I’ve caused him pain. Finally, I hear his voice again. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear that today. I miss Cecelia so much.”
“I can only imagine.”
“Anyway,” he says. “How can I help you?”
“I was calling because Jackson was approached by Mason to host the next poker event,” I explain. “I think it’s just an excuse to make Jackson spend a bunch of the money he won last time, but also let everyone see what he won, since I have a feeling he was gloating.”
Nate laughs out loud. “You know Jackson far too well. He was gloating. I think it’s a great idea and thankfully it’s not in Vegas. I love the Shangri-la, but I can’t go
