“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“I doubt she trusted her assistant to help with the sabotage, given how she questions every little thing they do for her.” She crossed her fingers. “But maybe they saw something.”
“I hope so.”
“As much as I want Vanessa to get her comeuppance for the crap she pulled, that’s not going to do much for Tessa. And she was the only truly innocent bystander in this situation,” she pointed out.
I hated that she was right. Vanessa wouldn’t have had the chance to fuck me over if I’d asked for even just one day to consider what her father had suggested. “That’s why I’m building a list of things I can do to make her life easier.”
“Good,” she murmured with a nod. “But don’t do stuff expecting to get credit for your effort. If you want to make amends, this can’t be about personal gain. It has to be about what’s best for Tessa, not what you want.”
I scrubbed a hand down my jaw. “You’re too damn perceptive for my own good.”
“Hold that thought, boss.” Her lips curved into a small smile. “Remember what you said about not firing me?”
“Of course.” I quirked a brow. “That was only five minutes ago.”
“Does that mean I can be brutally honest with you?”
I didn’t think she usually held back much, so I was slightly worried as I agreed, “Yes.”
“You need a therapist.”
“A therapist?” That wasn’t where I’d thought she was going with the lead-up about being honest.
“You’re going to be navigating an almost impossible situation, where you’ll need to maintain healthy boundaries,think clearly in emotional situations, and communicate openly.” She shook her head with a sigh. “You have a lot of great characteristics I admire, but those are not skills you possess.”
It was hard to argue when the traits she listed would’ve saved me from this mess in the first place. Looking back, I should’ve kept Vanessa out of my personal business, not let my fear about Rupert’s health cloud my judgment, and talked to Tessa before it was three years too late. “I know personal tasks are technically Jim’s job, but could you help me find a therapist who’ll be a good fit?”
Susan’s smile turned blinding. “I’ll have an appointment booked for you ASAP.”
“I don’t say this often enough…thank you.”
“You’re welcome, boss.” She reached out to pat my hand. “Don’t worry. Between you, Ethan, me, the therapist I’m going to find, and the PI you’re about to hire, we’ll get this mess figured out soon.”
I had a lot riding on her being right about that, too.
11
TESSA
Monday mornings were my reset button. The bakery was closed, which meant I didn’t have to drag myself out of bed before sunrise. I usually caught up on sleep and enjoyed my time off. But the memory of Gage standing at Hale & Honey’s door with my mom’s scarf in his hand still tugged at the edges of my thoughts when I least expected it.
I’d kept myself busy over the past week reorganizing the stock room, but distraction was harder to come by this morning. Unfortunately, sleep was just as elusive.
Dragging myself out of bed, I padded into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. While it brewed, I grabbed my journal from the basket under the end table and curled up on the couch, wrapping Mom’s scarf around my shoulders. The soft cashmere brushed my cheek, grounding me more than I wanted to admit.
I only wrote a few lines about the week ahead. Mostly, I just enjoyed the silence and let myself settle.
When the scent of coffee filled the air, I got up to fill a mug and make breakfast. Since I had extra free time today, I went all out and baked a quiche with ham and Swiss—in a flaky crust from scratch, of course.
While it was in the oven, I took a long shower, hauling out my spa basket and taking advantage of all the fun things inside to pamper myself.
By the time I headed out later that afternoon, I was in a great mood.
Locking my apartment door behind me, I was on autopilot as I walked down the hallway toward the stairwell. I rarely used the elevator, but not because I was trying to get extra steps in. It had the awful tendency of shuddering to a stop between floors. I’d never gotten trapped inside, but the horror stories from my neighbors were enough for me to swear I’d never set foot in it again.
But I wasn’t expecting what waited for me in the lobby.
