“Well, I did have all that yummy barium liquid.”
Both men make gagging noises, and I laugh, relieved that my stomach distress is real and manageable. For a moment, I thought it was all in my head.
At the deli, which is more of a high-end speakeasy serving kosher food, we sit in a booth at the back. I nurse a bowl of chicken noodle soup while Griffin two-hands a massive steak hoagie.
“I’ve done all the paperwork,” Griffin says around a mouthful. “After Selena’s family visits, I’m going to approach David Mason to offer the deal. Kevin is on board.”
“What kind of circus did you need to perform to get a sign-off on this venture? After ten years, you are finally going to pull this off. I’m impressed,” Beckett says.
“It took two weeks of daily meetings, a marriage to a beautiful woman,” Griffin flashes me a smile, “and a solid restructuring plan that will streamline our cases.” Griffin raises his beer. Beckett clinks his stein against it.
“To partner,” I say, clinking my soda water against their glasses.
“Couldn’t have done it without you,” Griffin says, giving me a sweet smile. I see just a little bit of pride in it. “How’s that going down?”
“This is sincerely the best chicken noodle soup I’ve ever had.”
“The medicine I prescribed should help your appetite,” Beckett adds. “You were my last patient, so after this, I get to go home and watchLove Islandwith Scarlett. We’re addicted.”
For one second, I envy Beckett’s normal life with his real wife. Griffin must sense my feelings because he rubs my leg under the table.
“We should check it out,” he says lovingly, knowing we probably won’t.
23
GRIFFIN
It’s refreshing to see Selena so happy.
I am trying to adjust to the turmoil her family has caused.
As soon as her sister walked through the front door, they rushed into each other’s arms.
The children’s mouths gaped open as they looked around the penthouse.
Don was all business. “Where would you like me to put these?” he asked, wrangling the luggage.
“Just leave it in the hall. My staff will take care of it. I’m Griffin,” I offered my hand to both Celeste and Don.
I ordered double the staff and contracted twice the number of hours, so we have a chef on call at all times.
The housekeeper leads the family up to the two guest rooms, and the butler delivers the luggage. First on the agenda is a pool party, and they’ve gone to change into their suits.
Celeste is polite and kind, and I can see a family resemblance, but Selena is clearly the beauty in the family. Her husband is rugged and handsome, but a little too rough-cut for my tastes. I know that Selena is nervous and hopes I like them, so I don’t let my irritation show. I can do anything for three days.
A crash alerts me that something has broken upstairs. I wince. Selena stops gathering towels and is about to race upstairs to the rescue, but I hold her arm.
“I think your sister’s got it,” I say, listening to the commotion.
“Clive, I told you not to swing your sweater around! Thank God it’s not broken.” A little more clattering, and whatever dropped is put back in its rightful place.
No amount of preparation could have fully prepared me for their arrival. Celeste and her sons are always in motion, and Don—a mountain of a man with forearms like granite—seems to be judging every single thing in my home. In fact, worse than the noise and chaos is the scrutiny.
“Cliff, shoes off the table, please,” Celeste calls out. Bless her, she’s doing her best.
“I’m sorry,” Selena says, looking sorrowful.
“No more sorries.” I place my finger on Selena’s lips. “I’m doing fine.”
