RaineyI started to catch onto Michael’s mood swings. He went from frustrated scowls to brilliantly happy smiles within seconds. The meeting with Sal Rossi had been strange, to say the least. I thought at any moment they would whip out dueling pistols and have a showdown. There was something off about their relationship yet they still kept it strictly professional.It wasn’t my place to interfere but I wondered why he would take a client that was in direct competition with his brother’s club? Maybe he thought the City was big enough for the both of them? Or maybe he was so money-hungry that he would take any client no matter what. Though, from what I knew of Michael, he was a smart businessman. There was something else going on but I didn’t dare ask about it. I was too green in this position to interfere. And as much as I questioned a lot of things he did, I’d wait until I proved myself enough to ask the more penetrating questions of his business.He had been gracious to answer everyt
RaineyThe kids were so excited to see Michael. He was attentive to them and not just to be polite he was sincere in his dedication to these children. I could see Michael having a brood of attractive children; it was quite sad that his wife had passed, he would have made a great father. Watching him with the kids made me envision the father-figure I’d always hoped for Tanner. But just my luck that my son was stuck with a deadbeat for a father.We stayed and talked with the kids for almost an hour before Michael wrapped up our time with them, much to their dismay.By the time we said goodbye to Rachel, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.“What did you think?” he asked when we got back into the elevator.I let out a breath. “That was amazing. I’m so thrilled to be a part of it.”He smiled. “That’s good to hear.”“You made such an impression on those kids.”“It’s nice to give back.”I couldn’t help but laugh at his modesty. “Give back? You’ve done way more than that.”“I have the means
MichaelI could tell Rainey was impressed by me getting my usual table at Vista. This was something expected from the other women I took out. While I didn’t think she expected that from me, it was refreshing to see that difference in her. With each new experience with Rainey, I realized I liked her more and more.Other than her physical attractiveness, I found her strong, independent and kind, everything I would want in a woman. Too bad I didn’t meet her at Kadia or anywhere else in the City. Being her boss made my attraction to her much more difficult. If she were interested in me, I’d find a way around all of the red tape for her. There weren’t any other women I was willing to do that for.“I had such a great time this afternoon,” she said while looking at the menu. “Rachel is fantastic. She’s very sweet and I’m happy to work with her on this.”Her foot bumped my leg under the table. I glanced down and her foot was shaking as if the events that day had energized her.“I’m glad you f
Michael“Five bedrooms isn’t that small you know.”It was small compared to my apartment and any other vacation homes I owned. I’d found the house in Bar Harbor a quaint getaway in the spirit of the closely-knit community.“How many bedrooms do you have in your house?” I asked.She wet her lips again. “Two bedrooms. But it's no summer home.”“I’ll take you up there sometime. It’s really quite peaceful.”“I thought you didn’t take guests up there,” she teased.“If all goes well with the Christmas charity, maybe I’ll consider you spearheading that one as well.”“I don’t know,” she said, clicking her tongue. “What could I possibly do with five bedrooms all to myself?”I thought of a hundred things—or positions— we could do in those bedrooms. I pushed that thought out of my mind, keeping myself treading on the line between professional and personal.“I’d come with you the first time,” I said. “To help settle you into the role.”“I’m not a fan of flying,” she said.“That’s one trip I like
RaineyEven though I’d only been in the workforce for over a week, the early mornings had started to take a toll on me. That’s why when I slept an hour past my alarm, I woke up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated for the busy morning.Tanner and I met Mom in the driveway around eight.“You’ve only been working there a little over a week and he gave you a day off? What a good boss,” Mom said as we got into her car.“I don’t have the day off, Mom,” I said, checking to make sure Tanner didn’t unbuckle his seatbelt before we got out of the driveway. It was a daily struggle to keep the belt on him. He didn’t understand that it could save his life. “I have to be in the office at noon.” Michael had a morning meeting with someone and said I wasn’t needed until later. It worked out perfectly for me to attend the Christmas program at Tanner’s school. He’d been disappointed when he realized I was going to miss it since normally I’d be at work, but when I told him the change in plans, he gave me th
RaineyOnce we arrived back in my apartment, I only had fifteen minutes before I had to leave for work. I checked the train times again to make sure I didn’t miss the right one. That would be my luck to be given the morning off and then come into work late. After the interview, I made a silent promise to myself to never be late for Michael again.Tanner tossed his coat onto the kitchen table and started for the kitchen. “Come on, Grandma! I’m starving and I want to try out a new recipe.” He kissed his fingers and gestured them in front of him. “Magnifique!”I stifled a laugh. It was the signature line from his favorite chef on The Food Channel.“I guess I better get in there before he burns himself,” Mom said, kissing my cheek. “See you later, dear.”“That or the house,” Tessa said.Mom pulled a face and rushed in after Tanner.Tanner’s last attempt at making a recipe from The Food Channel resulted in the kitchen smelling like burned hair for an entire day. I wasn’t sure what he put i
MichaelI replayed the phone call between me and Demetri over and over in my mind on my way to work Friday morning. It had been a short one, as these particular ones usually were.“Am I right about this?” he’d asked.“Yes.”A long pause then, “I’ll handle this.”We had no idea who was listening at any point which was why he preferred to meet in person for the more important and secretive meetings. Demetri had come up against authorities in the past involving a phone tap. He was back in Chicago, so there wasn’t a possibility of a face to face conversation.I’d come to the office early that morning, wanting to get out of my apartment. I had a nervous energy that I tried to get out by exercising. When that didn’t work, I had to occupy my mind. I thought by searching for some listings for Sal I could create a good alibi for myself. If anyone linked me to his death then I could claim I had no idea.See detective, I was searching for listings all morning. Why would I do that if I knew he wa
MichaelAs the thought crossed my mind, my cell phone rang. The vibration moved it across my desk and a similar vibration took hold of my body. Demetri’s name stared up at me from the screen.I grabbed the phone and shoved my chair away, it rolled in a wide arc away from my desk. “Excuse me, I have to take this.”I left the office, closing the door behind me as I swiped my finger across the screen.“Hello?” I said, not wanting to identify the caller for Sandra or Rainey to hear. I hustled down the hallway into one of the conference rooms, closing that door behind me.“Good morning, Michael,” Demetri’s said over the line. The calm in his voice was like the still waters of Bar Harbor. A longing to go back swelled inside of me.“It’s afternoon here now,” I said slowly, waiting for the ball to drop.“You know that issue with real estate we were discussing?” he asked. “Real estate” was code for Sal.I sighed. “Yes.”“I closed the deal,” he said. “I wanted you to be the first to know.”“I a