Page 35 of Man of the Year

I can’t help grinning, holding his gaze that changes with realization. He sucks in his cheeks.

“It must be pure torture,” I taunt him.

“She got you, Julien. Got you good.” Rosalie cackles with laughter, and I swear, Julien’s jaw tics as he tries really hard to hold his composure.

“Don’t you have something to do?” he says in a deliberately cold voice as he fixes his suit jacket, already on the way out.

“Sir, yes, sir,” I shout at his back and wink at Rosalie.

“He needs that,” Rosalie says quietly. She stands at the counter, aimlessly rubbing her fingertips, eyes cast down, all serious again.

“Needs what?”

“Someone to make him smile.”

I snort. “No kidding.”

“He’s having a rough time.”

“Rough time how?”

She ignores me.

“Okay, Rosalie, you can’t do that.” I set my hands on my hips and duck my head, trying to get her to look at me. “Rough how? Because I can say that about dozens of people.” Including Cara. Rough doesn’t even come close to describing her state right now. Clearly, Darla is way beyond that.

Rosalie sighs heavily. “He is dedicated to this job, but he is having a hard time with it.”

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

“He’s good at keeping himself to himself. But Mr. Rosenberg… Well, let’s just say he is not exactly a model gentleman when it comes to people. Women, especially.”

And here comes the first proof of what I think the true Rosenberg is. I step closer to Rosalie. “I heard a story or two,” I lie.

Her eyes dart at me. “From who?”

“Nick.”

She frowns. “Really? What did you hear?”

I can’t tell her about Cara, and she won’t tell me about the former housekeeper, so I have to lie in order to get her to talk.

“Let’s just say, I heard that women who get close to Rosenberg end up not in a good way.”

I hold her stare until she finally breaks off. “Nick told you that?”

I don’t answer so as not to lie again. I want her to talk.

She purses her lips. “I suggest you stay away from Rosenberg.”

“Is that what happened to the previous housekeeper? She didn’t?”

Rosalie’s expression hardens, but she doesn’t reply.

“What about Nick?” I press on. “Should I stay away from him too?”

I can tell she doesn’t like what I’m saying.

“How about all the other men in this household? Julien? Walter? Sagar?”

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