She knows my schedule and my preferences and exactly how far to push when I’m being unreasonable. She also knows when to leave it. Most people never learn that part.
“Orange delivery came early. I set aside a few,” she says, opening the fridge. “And I moved your court file to the hall console so you don’t forget it when you leave.”
“I wasn’t going to forget it.”
“I know,” she says, evenly. On the counter, she sets a small glass bottle of freshly squeezed juice and a cloth napkin. “You have ten minutes before you need to leave to be early. Twelve to be on time.”
“I’ll aim for eleven,” I say, and she gives me half a smile and turns to the laundry room.
I fork a bite of eggs, eat, sip coffee, let the ritual do the work. The quiet is good. I plan the day in my head: walkthrough at the site at 8:00, court at 11:00, a call wedged between the two with a man who never believes I’m actually busy when I tell him. After court, back to the office where I can put one problem to bed and pick up three more. It’s fine. I don’t need easy. I need ordered.
I’m halfway through the toast when there’s a knock at the front door. Not the doorbell. An actual knock. Family. No one else could get in without an alert.
Clara is already moving. “I’ve got it,” she says, and disappears down the hall, flats silent on the runner.
I set the fork down and listen. The front door opens. Clara’s voice, warmer now. “Good morning, Ms. Conti.”
“Morning, Clara.” Bright, a rush of energy, a thread of impatience even when she’s being polite. Caterina. Of course.
I wipe my hands on the napkin and take another sip of espresso, because if she’s here at this hour, she wants something and I’m better with coffee in me. The click of heels moves down the hall. She breezes in like she always does.
“Tío Roberto.” She kisses my cheek, quickly. She smells like citrus and a morning that started earlier than mine. She’s in a cream blouse and black trousers, hair sharp at her jaw, eyes awake. She carries a tablet and a folder.
“You’re early,” I say, and gesture to the island. “Coffee?”
She waves it off. “Had one already. I’ll twitch.” She drops the folder on the counter, palms flat on the stone. “I came by to tell you in person. I officially hired a Marketing Coordinator.”
I pause with the cup halfway to my mouth. A beat, then another. “Did you.”
“I did.” She’s not tentative about it. She’s never tentative. “I know you thought we would make the final call together—”
“I didn’t think it,” I say, setting the cup down. “That was the plan.”
She exhales, either bracing or choosing her next words. “It was on the plan, yes. And I was going to sit with you and go over the whole slate this afternoon. But once I sat down and spoke with her, I decided. I couldn’t not. She’s perfect for it. And”—she lifts a hand, forestalling the lecture she knows is coming—“before you say anything, I did not do this blind. I’m not stupid.”
The word comes out a little harsh, and I make a note to be careful. She’s wired tight this morning, but she’s also proud. That’s useful.
“Who,” I ask.
“Olivia Romano.” She smiles and flips open the folder. “MBA from Wharton. Concentrations in marketing and business analytics. Internships, yada yada.”
“Yadayada?” I lift a brow.
“It’s all there, Tio. She’s originally from California. Moved here yesterday.”
“Yesterday,” I repeat. “You move fast.”
“I had to,” she says. “I’m not going to limp into a launch if I knew what I wanted.”
I look at her. “You brought her all the way to Atlantic City before she had an offer.”
She doesn’t even blink. “I knew I was going to hire her if she was the same woman I remembered.”
“Caterina,” I say, voice low, not sharp. “You never told me all of that.”
“Because you would’ve disapproved,” she fires back, not defensive so much as factual. “And I didn’t want to fight about the means when I was sure about the end. I know her. I roomed with her all through school. All three years. I knew what she could do then, and she’s done more since.”
“We’re not in the business of hiring friends,” I say. It comes out even. Raising my voice with Caterina would not get me results.
