I mentally push Karie aside and focus on the amazing report from Dr. Blum. And how awesome it will be to share it with Huxley, so he knows that he’s making a huge difference in my life—that he’s saving my mother. Maybe we can grab some lunch. It’s a little early, but I’m hopeful based on our much-improved interaction over the past few weeks.
Security at 4D lets me in after I show them my ID and sign in. My steps are light as I cross the lobby and walk out of the elevator toward Huxley’s office.
Madison stands up from her desk and blocks my path by extending an arm in front of me. The move invades my personal space, and I get a whiff of her floral perfume, which instantly gives me a mild headache.
“Excuse me. You can’t go in there.”
“Is he in a meeting?” I ask. Maybe I should’ve texted before coming over.
“His schedule is full. He’s a busy man, and people can’t just barge into his office to see him without an appointment,” she says with a marble-smooth voice. “He isn’t at your beck and call.”
Her proprietary attitude grates on my nerves like sandpaper. Who does she think she is to talk to me like this? “I never said he was. But he’s also my husband, and it’s almost lunchtime.”
“He’s my boss, and I know his schedule and what he has time and energy for.” Her gaze sweeps over me as her lips twist into a barely perceptible smirk.
If she’d merely said Huxley was busy, I would’ve left without a word. But she’s picking a fight, as though she has some claim on him. I won’t tolerate that from his employees, no matter how long she’s been at the company.
“Do you think just because he wanted our wedding theme to be ‘Amazing Grace’ that you get to disrespect me? I am his wife and the mother of his child.” I put a hand over my belly. “He’ll make time for me. And if he can’t,youwill find time for me in his schedule.”
The smug superiority vanishes from her face. “You can’t talk to me like that. I don’t work for you.”
“No. And you won’t work for him for much longer if you keep up with that attitude.”
I arch my eyebrow, and she glares at me then steps aside. I walk into his office, only to find it empty. Vague disappointment unfurls, deflating my buoyant heart. Even if I’d texted him, it wouldn’t have mattered—his phone sits gleaming on his neatly organized desk.
“Where is he?” I ask.
“Obviously not in his office.” Madison’s tone is polite, but her eyes glint with smugness. Instead of telling me like she would if I were anybody but his wife, she’s opting for passive aggression.
“So you don’t know? What a fantastic assistant you are.” I shoot her a disdainful smile. “Tell him I stopped by. You can manage that much, can’t you?”
Then I turn and leave without waiting for a response. My previously bright mood has darkened. I grab a box of fancy Belgian chocolate on my way back to the office to soothe my annoyance. The indulgence feels good, especially since I haven’t been able to buy what I want without worrying about money for so long.
Later that day, Huxley comes home, smelling like Madison’s perfume.
Chapter Forty-Two
Grace
“Do I smell okay?” Huxley asks the next day over breakfast. He showered last night when I told him the scent on him gave me a headache. He seemed surprised that he smelled like anything except his body wash. He showered again this morning before joining me in the eat-in kitchen.
“Yes,” I say. “Thank you.”
He nods. “It might’ve been the cigar I had when Ares came by. I’ll be more careful.”
I smile without correcting him. I think back on the way Madison blocked me yesterday by raising her arm. At that time, it seemed like a casual gesture, but now that I think about it, she lifted her limb in such a way that her wrist would be in my nose.
She’s playing a game. Viv’s done it too, except with less finesse. Still, that doesn’t mean I’m okay with it. Madison’s attempt to place a wedge between me and Huxley makes the whole world seem bleak.
“By the way, I don’t like Madison.”
“Why? Did she do something?”
“She’s rude. I don’t like the way she speaks to me.”
Huxley frowns. “I’ll have a talk with her. She’s been under a lot of pressure recently with one of our clients being difficult. When they become unreasonable, she has to run interference.”
Tension tightens the muscles in my neck and shoulders. “I hate to put it this way, but her stress isn’t my problem. Her attitude is. Did she tell you I stopped by yesterday?”
