“Well, today is not that day, young man, so why don’t you tell me what’s wrong so we can find a way to fix it?And while you’re at it, wipe that scowl off your handsome face.It’ll give you wrinkles.”
Julian laughed at that last part.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“There’s a woman.”
Her brows lifted in surprise because he never talked to her about women.“Is there now?Tell Mattie everything and leave nothing out.”
“We’re at work, not a middle school cafeteria.”
She waved away the comment.“Speak.”
“It’s ridiculous.Not worth our time.”
“Julian Michael Remington, in all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never once seen you in a dither over a woman, so whatever’s going on, it must be a big deal.Pretending otherwise will only make everything worse.”
“What even is a dither?”
“Stop stalling and start talking.”
“I’ve met herthreetimes.It’s nothing.”
“Oh, my darling, is that what you’re telling yourself?How’s that working out?”
“Your sarcasm will be remembered on your next performance evaluation.”
Her left brow lifted toward her hairline.“The one I write for you because you can’t bear to evaluate the best assistant you’ll ever have?”
“Yes, that one.”
She laughed.“Talk to me, honey.Tell me what’s going on.I want to help.”
Because she’d never breathe a word of anything he told her, and he knew she wouldn’t give up until he told her the truth, he said, “It’s my friend Denny’s sister, Isla, who was here the other day.”
“Oh.” Mattie sat back in her chair as she smiled.“She’slovelyand such a wonderful mother.Those kids were sweet as could be and so polite.”
“I had the strangest reaction to her.”
Her eyes went wide all of a sudden.“That’swhy you turned her case over to Jackson?Oh my heavens.This is serious!”
“No, it isn’t.It’s not serious, and it’s never going to be.It was a momentary distraction.I’m dealing with it.”
“Are you?”
“I am.”
“How are you dealing with it?”
Julian glanced her way.“By pretending everything is fine when I’ve been told she’s going through something major, and it has nothing to do with me, even if all I want to do is go to her and offer to help in any way I can.Since I can’t do that, I’m here, and it’d be good to get to work so I can think about something other than what she’s dealing with and how incredibly upset she must be.”
“Oh, honey… What a dilemma.”
“It is indeed, but I’m staying put.I’ll let Denny know I’m here if they need anything, and I’ll get on with my day.”
“I’ll leave you to it and remind you I’m right outside the door if you need me.”
“I take great comfort in that every day, but especially on days like today.”
