week to week. Not a word about Bridget going to her mother’s within the two-week span I had been hired to stay.
I needed to stop being nosy. None of my business. Take care of the kid for two weeks and that was all. Simple enough.
I startled when my phone vibrated silently in my back pocket. I had forgotten I had put it there. It was a text from my sister. She said she had something to tell me and that I should message her back. She knew I’d be annoyed with her for checking up on me so soon.
The never-ending dots indicated she had a lot more to say. Why didn’t people just pick up the phone and call? I was guilty of it too. So I sat on the edge of the mattress and called her.
“Hello. Kate?” She sounded hesitant.
“I’m calling to let you know I’m still alive.”
“Uh hum.” My sister cackled through the phone.
“What’s so urgent? But I have something to tell you too, so you first.”
She sighed like she had a mouthful to say, something I wouldn’t like. “Okay. Don’t get mad, but I did some snooping around.”
Starting with “don’t get mad at me” didn’t bode well. I wanted to tell her she had to stop meddling with my life, but she was my older sister. She always had my back. And grieving her husband might make her even more overprotective of those she had left. So I listened.
She continued, “Anyway, one of my friends, who knows Jessica Conner—”
“Jessica Conner. Seriously?”
“Just listen,” she groaned. “Anyway, my friend, who knows Jessica, said her friend’s friend went for the interview the day before you went.”
She had lost me already. I rose and leaned my hip against the bedpost. “And?”
“Obviously, she didn’t get the job, but she thought it was strange when there were no pictures of the family at their home. She also thought it was strange when there was no Roselyn Banks listed in any nearby school. So she did some digging and she thinks Mr. Banks is not Banks but Medici. Is she right?”
I laughed out loud.
“What’s so funny?”
“I met Mr. Banks, all right. And yes, the friend is right.”
“What?”
I had to pull the phone away. “That was my reaction too. It seemed they wanted someone genuine.”
“Huh?”
I picked up one of the stuffed unicorns by the wall and set it by her pillow. “You know, someone who didn’t want to get into Medici’s pants ... or his money.”
“Ohhh.”
She got it. “Yup.”
“And Roselyn?”
“Yup, really Bridget.”
“Wow.”
I loved how Abby and I communicated with few words.
“So ... are you staying?” she asked hesitantly.
“Of course I’m staying. Four grand, Abby. It’s not like I have any other agenda. And do you remember my star painting you sold in New York? The one I named My Soulmate?”
“Yes. I remember that one. It was one of your best. I love that one,” she said with a hint of pride.
I sat back on the bed again. “Do you recall who bought it?”
“I don’t remember. I’ll have to check, but I do recall I had to ship it. Why?”
“It’s hanging in Leonardo’s bedroom,” I said, a bit too excited.
“His bedroom? What are you doing in his bedroom?” She sounded accusatory.
“I’m not. I’m in Bridget’s. I snuck a peek, though.” I went to her window and looked out to the beautiful backyard. The grand swimming pool looked tempting—it was probably heated and comfortable year-round.
“Kate.” A warning.
“Oh. My. God. Abby, I’m not doing anything to get fired.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.”
I paced from the window to the door, back and forth as I spoke. “I’m not going to fall for him if that’s what you’re implying. Yes, he’s very good looking, charming, but he’s a bit annoying and quirky too. Besides, someone as rich as him has nothing to gain from someone like me.”
“What do you mean someone like you? You’re beautiful, kind, giving, and anyone would be lucky to have you. Jayden is an idiot, and besides, he wasn’t good enough for you. Just because he cheated on you doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. Real men don’t cheat. Real men know when they have someone worth loving and they hold on to it.”
Her words unleashed some of the pain I shoved aside. I had been so angry with Jayden and myself that I hadn’t had time to process much. Sometimes it was easier to bury feelings than face them. I plopped down on Bridget’s white plush rug next to her bed.
“Is there anything