“Tell me about your clients.”
“I can’t discuss them by name. Confidentiality. But I can assure you, these powerful people trust me implicitly.” I didn’t have a lot of experience with kids, but I knew I could pick up Derek and escort him to New York and return him without a scratch. “I know it would mean the world to Deacon if you did this. I mean…truly. If you’re still hopeful of a reconciliation at some point, I think doing this is a great first step.” I never wanted Deacon to be with this woman again. I’d much rather put up with the bitches at his apartment than this devil woman. But it was the only incentive that could get her cooperation.
She sighed as she considered it. “I guess it would be nice that I wouldn’t have to do anything…”
“Nothing at all.” I would pay for the plane tickets, and I was certain Deacon would reimburse me on his own. I wouldn’t even have to ask. “I’ll return him Monday afternoon. You can have the weekend to yourself.”
She turned quiet.
“Valerie, please.” I was so close. I could feel it.
She sighed again. “Alright…I’ll do it.”
I jumped up from the couch and pumped my arm up in the air, so happy I could scream. “Oh, that’s wonderful, Valerie. Thank you so much.”
“Let me know the details when you get them.”
“I will.”
“Bye, Cleo.”
“Bye.” I hung up then danced in my living room, spinning around with my arms straight out, laughing uproariously because I couldn’t believe it had happened, couldn’t believe I’d pulled off a miracle, did something that would make Deacon so happy. “Yaaaaasssss!”
Nineteen
Deacon
My last day at the hospital ended yesterday, so I decided to stay home and catch up on paperwork in my penthouse. We weren’t supposed to take patient information from the hospital, but since it was for research, I was allowed to make copies of everything and review it in the privacy of my home.
I should go to the office, but I was too fucking tired.
Just wanted to sit on my ass for a day.
I didn’t even work out that morning. I slept in as long as I wanted, took a shower, and then sat at the dining table with my laptop.
The lock turned in the door before it opened.
I knew it was Cleo. I didn’t tell her I would be home for the day, so it wasn’t her fault for barging in without knocking.
She held my clean scrubs in her arms, ready to put them in my drawer. She stilled when she saw me. “Oh…hey.” Instead of apologizing or looking awkward at her intrusion, she walked to the dining table like she was welcome here. “What are you doing home?”
“Decided to take the day off.”
She glanced at my laptop and papers before looking at me again. “This is taking the day off?”
Sarcasm was often hard for me to understand, but I picked up on it. A slight smile moved onto my lips. “I meant skip the office.”
“Your patient care is over?”
“For now.”
“I’m just going to put these away. They’re clean whenever you need to go back.” She walked into my bedroom and put the scrubs into my drawer before she returned to me. “You want me to pick you up lunch or anything?”
“I don’t mind cooking.”
She stood behind the chair, resting her hands on the back of it. “Well, you know how to reach me if you need anything.” She patted her hands against the wood before she turned away.
“Cleo?”
She turned back to me.
“Actually, I do need something.”
“Sure, anything you need.”
I felt bad for asking, but she’d made my life so much easier the first time she joined me. “I have this dinner thing tomorrow…if you don’t mind coming with me.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’d be happy to.”
“I feel like I keep taking up your Saturdays.”
“Don’t worry about it. What’s it for?”
I was embarrassed to answer her question. “It’s at this new hospital they’re opening in Brooklyn. It’s the opening ceremony, and I said I would go.” I didn’t tell her all the details, even though I’d have to deal with her reaction later. “They cut the ribbon, and then we have dinner.” I didn’t want to take anyone, and I didn’t want to go alone either. Whenever people saw me with Cleo, they talked to me less, because they thought I was preoccupied.
“Black tie?”
I nodded.
“Do you need a new suit? Because we only have a few days.”
“No. I have plenty in my closet.”
“Alright.” She smiled. “Just text me the time, and I’ll meet you here.”
“Okay.”
She looked at me for a second before she turned around and left my apartment.
I stared at the door, even after she was gone.
“What are you doing for your birthday this year?” Tucker held his bottle in his fingertips, sitting across from me at our usual table. There was a bar close to his work, so now it was our favorite bar to meet.