Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Rose: Happy New Year, Izabella. Thank you for being so kind to me.
Izabella: Happy New Year to you too, sweet girl. I will call you tomorrow, we’ll plan a dinner.
Rose: Happy New Year, Mr. C. Thanks for being an AWESOME boss and sometimes friend. Don’t dance too much and hurt your old man joints. X
So I’m not sure they’re typed exactly the way I’m saying them in my head, but close enough.
My phone rings as I’m waiting in the girls’ room for a stall to free up.
“Yellooooo?” I answer drunkenly, snorting at how dumb I sound.
“I called to tell you that I’m not an old man, you little shit, but I am already at home, in my slippers, drinking whiskey alone.”
“That’s devastating, Mr. C, you’re letting every middle-aged man down. Way to be a team player.”
“I’m not middle-aged, I’m thirty-seven.”
I giggle into the receiver. “Thirty-eight in two months.”
“Thank you for keeping track of my age,” he replies in jest. “What are you doing?”
“I’m in club ninety-nine with Laurie. It’s great but she’s wayyyy drunk and her tics are crazy. What are you doing?”
“I already told you.”
Right… duh.
“Where’s Maria?” I ask, shuffling a few steps to the left as the massive line moves along.
He clears his throat. “They’re all with Elizabeth’s parents.”
“And you’re not because…?”
“Because I got bored.”
“You can always join me if you like? This club doesn’t close until sunrise.”
He hesitates and I can just tell he’s thinking about it. “No… you have a good night. Call me if you need a ride.”
“We’re good, we’re only a few blocks from home, but thank you, Mr. C.”
“Ezra,” he corrects, and I giggle again. “Happy New Year, Rose.”
“Happy New Year, Ezra.”
I wonder if he’s smiling like I am right now. I hope he is.
“Would it be weird if I go and have dinner with your mom tomorrow?” I ask Mr. C as we stroll towards the waiting car.
It’s the second of January and everybody is a bit glum now that the holiday season is over. I’m glad to have been out of the office for most of the day thus far, taking notes and recording Mr. C’s presentation for another potential buyer and investor into his company’s solar tech.
He opens the door for me, I climb in and shuffle over and then he climbs in after me, smelling all citrussy and fresh.
“She likes you. So does Erika actually, and my dad. And Erika doesn’t like many people. Why would it be weird?”
I bite on my lip. “Your wife doesn’t like me.”
His head swings around to me, he looks surprised and I feel surprised that I even brought his wife into the conversation. I try to actively avoid talking about her. She’s not as rude to me anymore as she used to be, but she does look at me weirdly, like she’s assessing everything I do.
I still see Maria often and take her to soccer, I enjoy my days with her, but Mrs. Conti has this incredible ability to make you feel wanted and needed, but also super inferior. She acts like she’s grateful for all I do for her, but it never feels sincere. I know she’d stop me from seeing Maria in an instant if she thought I was after her husband, she’s a very jealous person. Margot, her housekeeper, told me that’s why she never talks, especially not to Mr. Conti. She said their last two nannies and a maid were fired because of the way they spoke to Mr. Conti. Apparently, they were, too flirtatious.
According to Margot, she’s heard them arguing over me too, but I told her not to elaborate. I don’t want any part of their marriage. If she’s got an issue with me then it’s her problem because I would never try and take her husband. That’s not the kind of person I am.
Although we did sit in her kitchen and have coffee together just two days ago… coffee I made but still. Progress.
“I mean… I don’t want to cause issues by hanging around all the time.”
His eyes darken as the driver pulls away from the curb. “Has Elizabeth said something to you?”
Could that be what they’ve argued over about me? The fact I’m often around?
“No! No. Honestly, since everything she’s a lot nicer.” I don’t know why but I place my hand on his thigh. “I’m not about to start insulting your wife. I didn’t… I just don’t want to step on anybody’s toes.”
I remove my hand when he shifts on the spot. I’m not sure if it’s because of me that he squirmed in such a way or not but I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.
He grabs his tablet from his briefcase and puts it on his lap, turning it on before opening his emails. “You’re not stepping on anybody’s toes. My mom adores you, Rose. It’s all good.”