“It was unprofessional. I’m glad you realize that.” Joe’s attention had gone back to the plane again, his expression curious. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Noah skipped up the steps, the wordunprofessionalringing in his mind.
4
“Wow. What a fantastic view,” Caitlyn said as she stepped into the penthouse’s enormous living room and stared out the giant window overlooking Central Park. She and Noah had emailed back and forth about activities they could hold there. The size made her mind race even more with its potential.
“Yeah, wow.” Zoe came to stand beside her.
“Welcome,” Sona said, stepping into the room wearing an apron, her straight black hair pulled into a ponytail. The smell of something sweet in the oven had followed her.
“Have you been baking while Joe gave us a quick tour?” Caitlyn asked.
“Yes. We need something to make this ridiculous place homier.” Sona gave a soft laugh. “It’s been nice to host company parties here, but it’s a bit much.”
A familiar-looking man wearing glasses appeared at the top of the stairs. Caitlyn recognized him from the picture at their first meeting. Time to play the role of team leader.
“You must be Heath Savage.” She went up a step with an extended hand. “I’m Caitlyn Hahn.”
“You’re one of the team leaders.” He hurried down. “Nice to meet you.”
“And I’m the other team leader, Noah Kelly.” He appeared at her side with his hand outstretched.
“Heath, you can show the guys which rooms they’ll be staying in,” Sona said, “while I take the girls.”
“We won’t be in our usual rooms?” Noah asked, looking surprised.
“We have extra guests tonight,” Sona said. “Darius and Eve are in New York this weekend with their little boy.”
“Usualrooms?” Caitlyn whispered, exchanging a glance with Zoe. “Humblebrag, anyone?”
“Absolutely,” Zoe agreed, her voice low.
Did Noah have any idea how unprofessional his harping was about how he was related to the Raffertys? People sometimes complained about his getting special treatment. She’d assumed the snide remarks were motivated by jealousy. Even after the way he’d ghosted her, Caitlyn liked to give people the benefit of the doubt. There were times, though, when his mentions of familial connections had sounded like boasting.
After the altercation in the hallway, Caitlyn wondered if he was making it worse by bringing it up. Should she say something to him about it?
“This way, ladies.” Sona headed up the stairs.
Caitlyn reached for her suitcase, but Heath grabbed it first.
“I can get this for you,” he said. “My stuff’s already in my room.” He followed the others.
She was about to argue with him, but her stomach went queasy again. It was followed quickly by a wave of dizziness, and she had to clutch the railing to make sure she didn’t fall.
“Whoa there, are you all right?” A light brown hand covered Caitlyn’s, and she looked up into the face of Evelynn Dimitriou, wife of one of the owners. Her multitude of tiny braids had been pulled back into a ponytail. She was a nurse and headed one of the company’s charities. She said, “Here, sit on the stairs and rest your head in your lap. Darius, go ahead and put him down for his nap.”
Caitlyn did as instructed, and the dizziness eased.
“How long have you been feeling this way?” Mrs. Dimitriou put a finger on Caitlyn’s wrist, taking her pulse. Then she turned Caitlyn’s arm over and felt the needle scars on the inside of her arm. The woman sat beside her. “Why so many?”
Caitlyn straightened. “They’re from chemo.”
“Ah, I see.” Mrs. Dimitriou touched Caitlyn’s pink hair spikes. “It’s been long enough that your hair is growing back. Have you been feeling dizzy for long?”
“It’s just late-effect nausea.” Caitlyn rubbed her face. “I have a hard time eating very much, but then my blood sugar crashes.”
“Like now. Let me get you some juice and a cheese stick.”
