He takes a seat behind his massive desk and taps the wooden surface. “Okay, the statue. Where is it?”
Oh shit. François’s Wife! I totally spaced out and forgot to ask Wyatt about it over the weekend or earlier today. He’s probably got it stored in some temperature- and humidity-controlled warehouse, and I’ll need to make arrangements to transfer it over to wherever Salazar wants it. “Ah, I don’t have it in hand just yet, but we should at least agree on a price by the end of the week.”
“Fantastic. Plenty of time. I’m planning to give it to her thirty days from now. Be like a one-month anniversary of our trip together.”
Only he would consider a multimillion-dollar statue a suitable for gift for something like this. Actually, only he would think the one-month anniversary of a trip would be worthy of a celebration at all.
“Should I book dinner at a restaurant as well?” I ask.
“Yeah, someplace classy. And flowers. Gotta have flowers.”
I nod, making notes to arrange for all of that, plus come up with at least one thing he can try to make Ceinlys happy. He appreciates suggestions. “Got it.” Then I add “Start browsing for engagement rings” to the list. At the rate things are going, he’s going to re-propose before the year is over, and I need to be prepared. It’s my job to anticipate his needs.
That done, I return to my workstation and pull out my phone. Need to get this arranged as soon as possible.
–Me: You remember Dane’s housewarming gift? The one you’re supposed to let me buy? When can I send somebody to appraise it?
–Wyatt: No need for an appraisal. You can just have it.
I shake my head. He shouldn’t give away something that valuable for free, not even to me. Besides, why is he assuming it’s for me? There’s no place in my apartment that statue would fit, any more than it would fit into his.
–Me: It’s for my boss. He can afford to pay for it.
–Wyatt: Still isn’t that much money.
Reeeeally? When did he become so cavalier about millions?
I type, I know you’re rich now, but you really need to be more sensible about finances, then stop and hit delete until all the letters are gone. It’s his money. On the other hand, I feel like it’s my obligation to tell him, in case he doesn’t know how much François’s works are worth.
–Me: I insist. It wouldn’t be right otherwise.
–Wyatt: Well okay, if you want. Talk about it over dinner tonight? My place.
I find myself smiling at that.
–Me: Sure.
–Wyatt: Great. Oops, gotta go. The interviewee is here.
That’s right. His possible new assistant.
–Me: Hope she works out!
I put my phone away and sigh with pleasure. Finally, it feels like my whole life is exactly on the right track. I have a boyfriend I’m crazy about, and I’m about to get my five-hundred-thousand-dollar bonus. Nothing—absolutely nothing—is going to mess things up now.
Chapter Forty-One
Kim
I leave work early because Salazar insists that I “take a load off.” When I’m home, thankfully, Yuna doesn’t look like a sci-fi monster. Just her normal self in a dress and watching TV with Champ. He comes over, tail swishing in the air, and sniffs my fingers.
“You’re home early,” she says.
“Yeah, I have the best boss.” I kick off my shoes and roll my shoulders as I go to the kitchen for a glass of water.
“Is there a gym in this building?” she asks.
“No. Why?”