“All this furniture is yours to use, but if you find anything not to your liking, let me know and I’ll replace it.”
She turns around to look at me, and her forehead creases. “How long will I be here for?”
I shrug. “Not sure. Depends on what the roofer and contractor find when they look at the apartment.”
Hattie nods a bit hesitantly. The chime for my condo goes off before I can say anything more.
“That’s probably your bags. Come on. I want you to meet Jeffery.” I leave the room.
Hattie follows. “Who’s Jeffery?”
I look over my shoulder at her as I reach the end of the hall. “He’s the daytime doorman. You can see him for almost anything you need, and if he can’t help you, he’ll find someone who can.” I reach the door and swing it open. “Jeffery, thanks for bringing these up.”
“No problem.” He wheels in a luggage cart stacked with Hattie’s bags.
“Jeffery, this is Hattie, the owner of all this luggage. Hattie, Jeffery.” I gesture between the two.
“Pleasure to meet you.” He extends his hand toward Hattie, and she takes it with a smile.
“Nice to meet you, Jeffery. Sorry you had to bring all of this up here.”
He waves off her concern. “It’s no trouble, miss.”
“Jeffery, those can go in the bedroom at the end of the hallway on the left.”
“Yes, sir.” He pushes the luggage cart through the living room and disappears from view when he turns to go down the hallway.
Hattie walks over to me. “I feel bad,” she whispers.
I lean in closer to her. “Don’t. It’s his job. I’m sure he’s happy to be gainfully employed.”
She presses her lips together and nods. “I guess…”
Jeffery reappears with an empty luggage cart.
“Hattie is going to be staying with me for the foreseeable future, Jeffery, so anything she asks for, please make sure she gets it.”
He nods. “Of course, sir.” Then he looks at Hattie. “It was great to meet you. Don’t hesitate to reach out for anything.”
“I will, thanks.”
I get the door for Jeffery, and once he’s gone, I turn to face Hattie. “I’ll let you get settled. I have to go into the office for a while, so I might not be home until pretty late. You have my number, though, so reach out if you need anything.”
“You’re leaving me here by myself?” Her alarmed expression is comical.
Oh, Hattie, already so attached? Perfect.
I chuckle. “I’m sure it won’t be the last time now that you live here. Make yourself at home. I’ll see you later.”
When the door shuts behind me, I take a minute to enjoy the moment. Ruining Hattie is going to be such sweet justice. Carlawill regret ever making me an afterthought in her life by the time I’m done with her stepdaughter.
16
HATTIE
Bastion texted me last night around eight to tell me that he probably wouldn’t be home before I went to bed, and he was right. With the time change, I ended up falling asleep around nine thirty, and I didn’t wake up until after eight this morning.
Which was no problem, because he said we didn’t have to head into work until around noon anyway. I’m not sure what type of office doesn’t start until noon, but maybe he’s being nice and trying to ease me into things by only making me work a half day.
