Donovan duckedinto Echo’s office late on a Friday afternoon. “I’m heading home to get ready.”
“Got it,” Echo said, wholly distracted by work.
He stepped closer to her desk. “And you’re confident you can get Lela out of here and back home by seven?”
“Yes. I’m on it. I’ll drag her kicking and screaming if I have to.”
“You know how she gets.”
“Believe me, I know. I’m forcing her to take two more people on her team. With the international expansion on Lela B, she needs all the help she can get.”
Lela B never quieted down after the initial commotion. It just kept growing like a weed. Once things stabilized ten months in, Echo saw a natural opportunity and put Lela in charge of building up the beauty division of Echo Echo. Lela was working her ass off. Donovan knew what it was like to be in the weeds—there wasn’t even time to ask for help. “Good job. That’s exactly the kind of leadership I like to see.”
Echo shot him a pointed glance. “Dad. We’re not on a corporate retreat. Whatever you want to call it, I learned it all from you. Don’t act too surprised.”
“I’m not surprised. Just proud.”
“Thanks. Now can you go be proud somewhere else?” She smiled warmly to soften the blow of her words. “Sorry. I’m just trying to catch up after getting in late this morning.”
“Feeling any better?”
“I am.”
“Glad to hear it. I’ll see you in a bit.” Donovan headed for the door, but Echo stopped him with her voice.
“By the way, I think it’s super sweet that you’re doing this for Lela.”
He turned back. “She won’t let me celebrate her any other way but by ambush.”
“Then you’re doing the right thing.”
Donovan hustled down the hall, through reception and to the elevator. As soon as he was out on the street in front of JTI, he hailed a taxi, then called Tammera to let her know he was on his way. “I’m hopping in a cab right now. I should be there in fifteen.”
“On a Friday? I don’t think so. Subway might be faster.”
“Too late. I’ve already committed.” He gave the driver the address. “How’s the decorating going?” he asked Tammera.
“Fine. Except the cats are going nuts with the streamers. Well, not Rio. He mostly licks his crotch and watches the other two make complete fools of themselves.”
“He’s the elder statesman. That’s his role in our household.”
Tammera laughed. “Just get your butt over here. We could use your help.”
“Like I said. On my way.”
Of course, Tammera ended up being right. Fifteen minutes had been stupidly optimistic. The trip ended up taking nearly thirty.
When he arrived at the house, it looked as though Tammera and Delia were done with the decorations—colorful twisted streamers dipping and swooping in a zig zag across the living room ceiling. A banner saying, “Congratulations” adorned the fireplace mantle, while clusters of balloons flanked the hearth. That might have been a mistake. They were tethered with narrow curling ribbon and the newest feline additions to the family, Bowie and Oates, were suitably obsessed. He and Lela had adopted them from the animal shelter six months ago. They were nearly full-grown, but still awfully kitten-like.
“You did an amazing job,” he said to Tammera and Delia.
“It really compliments the decor,” Delia countered.
Indeed, since Donovan had moved in last fall, he and Lela had acquired more furniture and some new artwork. Although the shopping and hunting had been a joint effort, everything had to pass muster with Lela, which meant nothing boring. There were pillows in aqua and pink, and dramatic light fixtures, and interesting modern art. The most recent addition to the house was a pair of near-mint vintage mid-century upholstered armchairs, which Donovan had mistakenly referred to as yellow.They’re goldenrod,Lela had said.
Tammera pointed at Bowie and Oates. “I don’t know how you and Lela get anything done with these two around.”
Donovan crouched down and Bowie, the gray and white tabby, immediately ran over to him to get head scratches. He was Donovan’s little buddy. “We love them to death, but they definitely keep us on our toes.”
