“Oh, I do them myself. Trader Joe’s sells flowers.”
“I see.” He took a sip of his drink. “Winnie. I would really like to keep you as my assistant.”
Something in her face relaxed. “Good. I like the work.”
“And about the…San Francisco…”
“About the fact that we slept together,” she prompted.
“Yes. That. I apologize. It was inappropriate.”
“It’s okay. It was consensual. And it’s done, so…”
“Yes.”
“Do you want me to sign something? A statement or waiver or whatever?”
“Do you think you should?”
She tilted her head. “You mean, will I sue you for sexual harassment or something like that? No. I won’t. But if it would make you more comfortable, I’ll sign whatever it is. I basically want to put it behind us.”
That was…well, he wasn’t quite sure how to take that sentiment. “Good. Fine. I’ll take your word for it. No papers needed.”
“Great.”
“The house looks very nice, by the way.” Homey. Welcoming. It hadn’t felt that way, before he had her. It had been dark and cold, and it took several hours to warm up if the furnace had been turned down.
“Glad you like it.”
“The gourds are unusual.”
“There are ten of them. One for each member of your family.”
He mentally counted. His parents, himself, siblings, siblings-in-law, niece, nephew. She was correct. “That was very thoughtful.”
She smiled. “Do you need my services this weekend?”
“I don’t.” He didn’t think he did. She would know better than he would at this point, he’d turned so much over to him.
“Great. I printed out letters from patients and their families, by the way. They’re on your desk in the study.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, one more thing,” she said. “You know your neighbor, Joyce? In Boston?”
Lorenzo was unaware of a person named Joyce in his building.
“She lives in 3B? Anyway, she and I met when I first started working for you. She asked if I might have some time to help her organize her place. Would that be all right with you?”
“What you do in your own time is up to you.” He paused. “I won’t need you in Houston next week. It’s only one night.” Was that rude? Had he just hurt her feelings?
“Okay. I’ll double-check your flight and hotel and all that.” She paused, and he waited, hoping she’d say something profound. Something that would help him understand the chaos of feelings he was having right now. “By the way, do you know who owns that sweet dog? The golden retriever who romps on the beach most days?”
“No. I’ve actually only seen her with you.”
“Huh. It was pretty cold out the other day, and she was all alone for a while. I—ah, never mind. Have a nice night, Lorenzo. See you tomorrow.”
Her feelings did not seem hurt in the least. “Very good. Wait. Tomorrow?”
