Page 20 of At His Beck & Call

“Oh God,” I say, feeling a surge of guilt as my first emotion is extreme irritation.

Jenna is usually reliable, but lately she’s let me down a lot. This can’t be helped, and it’s not her fault, but if I have to pick up Henry, I need to leave on my first day two hours early.

Fuck.

“Alright, you go and do what you need to do, okay? Is she alright?”

“She hit her hip pretty hard, but there’s nothing broken. It shouldn’t be a problem for the rest of the week, but I just have to go check on her. I’m really sorry. Is the job going okay?”

“It’s going fine. Don’t worry about me. See to your mom, and I’ll talk to you later.”

“Thanks, Lissa. Sorry again.”

Hanging up, I stare helplessly at my phone, not knowing what to do at first. Finally, I call Bethany. She’s the only person who might be able to help on short notice.

“Hey, Liss,” she says, answering immediately. “You okay?”

Her voice is full of concern, and I smile affectionately into the phone. “I’m fine. But I need a favor.”

“What’s up?”

“Are you in the country?” I ask. “You’re not jetting across the Atlantic right now, are you?”

Beth snorts. “Uh. No. I wish. I’m in New York. Is everything okay?”

“My sitter can’t work today.”

“Again?”

“Her mother had a fall.”

Bethany sighs heavily. “Jesus, there’s always something going on with her.”

“I know. So she can’t pick Henry up from school. Is there any chance you could help? I wouldn’t ask, but it’s my first day and…”

“Of course. I can get off early. I’ve already gothimoff this morning, so he should be in a good mood. What time?”

“Around four, three thirty if you want to take him for ice cream somewhere.”

“Okay, you’re speaking my language now. I’ll get him at three thirty, that’s fine.”

“Are you sure? You’re a lifesaver.”

“How’s the Heath job going?”

“Fine. Nothing has happened so far, I’m just doing a bunch of filing.”

“You’re okay, though? Has he been nice to you?”

“Yes. I mean, he doesn’t really seemniceexactly, but he’s… fine.”

“Hm, okay. I know he needs you there until six, don’t rush away just because Hen’s with me, we’ll go back to your place and wait.”

“Thanks, Beth.”

“No problem. Remember what I said.”

“What’s that?”