I turn to her, confused. “Okay, that’s after work is over. Why is that a problem?”
“Because Beatrice has been super stressed this week, and I offered to help her with sending out the paperwork for the executive committee meeting tomorrow. I was trying to be helpful and take it off her hands, but I forgot to add it to my to-do list. I’m sorry. I feel like you’re gonna think I’m this totally unprofessional bitch who’s constantly loading all my stuff onto you… but…”
“What do you need me to do?”
Kaitlin’s whole face collapses in relief. “It’s a lot, Amelia. I would owe you lunch for like a week.”
“If you have to go to an appointment to take care of your son, you go. I’ll deal with it, just tell me what you need me to do.”
“Thank you, it’ll save my life. I’ll have my phone on me, so you can call me if you have questions.”
Over the next ten minutes, Kaitlin runs through everything. She’s right, it’s a lot of work, and I know I’ll need to stay late. There are a lot of important people coming to the meeting, and several of them have specific requirements when it comes to their correspondence.
It’s complicated, and I take copious notes, all the while calculating in my head whether Annabelle will be okay without me this evening.
“Alright, so it’s these fifteen attendees?” I ask. “And then I’ll need to do the packs as normal, but Mr. Bailey has to step out midway through, and then Mr. Kendrick will replace him?”
“That’s it. Kendrick’s PA is abitch, too, so she’s going to be pissed that she’s getting this stuff so late. Just blame me. Jesus, I should have sent them yesterday. I can’t believe I forgot.”
“It’s okay, Kaitlin, I’ll call her and give her a heads up. When I worked in my old job, there was this really bitchy secretary. She would send me the rudest stuff over email, but she was a lot less ‘brave’ over the phone.” I grin at her, and she laughs.
“Thanks, Amelia. Text me if you need me.”
“I will. Go look after your little boy. I’ve got this.”
She gives me a quizzical stare. “You’re being really nice about this. What’s the catch?”
“You’re buying me lunch, aren’t you?” I say. But she keeps looking at me, and eventually I sigh. I don’t like sharing my personal life, but she’s shared something with me, too. “My sister is sick. I know how hard it can be. Go deal with it. My favorite snack is a white chocolate cookie. You can pay me in sweet treats.”
Kaitlin’s shoulders relax. “Deal,” she says, rising. “I’m sorry about your sister. Is she okay?”
I can’t look at her as I slowly shake my head. “Not so much, but it’s fine. She’s gonna be starting new treatment soon, which’ll straighten her right out.”
“Amelia.” I look up. “Thank you,” Kaitlin says solemnly. “I mean it.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her arm jerks toward me like she’s thinking about hugging me, but changes her mind, then she runs out the door.
Chapter 15
Amelia
Iend up working much later than I even thought I’d have to. I call Annabelle to let her know I’m not going to be back to make her dinner, and feel a wave of guilt when she tells me she’s just going to grab something simple.
I beg her not to eat junk, but I know my sister. She would survive on Hot Pockets alone if I let her. I hang up, reminding her that there are apples in the fruit bowl, and hope for the best.
Still, I’m glad I’m helping Kaitlin. The work she has sent to me is very informative about the merger, providing me with context for what Crawford is currently doing and the existing issues he’s facing.
At 8 p.m. I click send on the final email, breathing a sigh of relief, just hoping I’ve done everything correctly for Kaitlin’s sake.
I’m starving and looking forward to something wholesome for dinner. I decide that I’ll go by the pasta place on the way home. That way, I can pick up enough for me, Annabelle, and my parents.
I am just rising from my chair when the buzzer on my desk goes off. I stare at it in surprise, realizing that I haven’t seen Crawford all afternoon, and he must still be in his office.
Does the man ever pee?
“Could you come in here for a moment, Miss Brooks?”
