Page 19 of Lorna's Savior
“Maybe, I don’t know.”
“Okay, talk to me.”
“Remember that phone call when you left my office earlier?”
“Yes, what about it?”
“That was Mr. Marvin H. I can’t remember his last name. I’ve always called him Mr. H. or Marvin. Anyway, he asked questions about the invitation. Like how much was the dinner, where was the address of the fundraiser. Questions like that.”
“Okay, isn’t that a good thing?”
“It is, however, that was the beginning. For the last seven hours I’ve been talking on the phone with people interested in the fundraiser. I have done nothing about taking the steps further. I know we talked about it, but is there any way you could get a temp in here to answer the phones for me? I’m sure once I’ve told them what is happening, they’ll be able to shield the calls. I’m only asking, because I’m going to be out of the office a lot this next week with meetings with the director of the aquarium, the caterers, and such.”
“Say no more.” Finn picked up his phone and dialed a three number extension. When he hung up, he smiled. “Just talked to HR, they’ll have someone here at eight in the morning.”
“Thank you so much, Finn.”
“You’re welcome. Why didn’t you come earlier?”
“Honestly, I couldn’t get away from the phone. In the past, I was the one to field the calls for Janis, but she’d never received this many about a fundraiser before. Hell, I didn’t even have time to go to lunch today. Marc happened to stop in, and I ordered a sandwich. It’s still sitting on the corner of my desk where he left it.” She sighed as she settled her head back on the chair. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but I know when to admit defeat and ask for help.”
“Good for you. You’ll have help here first thing in the morning. Go home, get something to eat, and rest.”
“Sorry, but I have a lot more work to do before I can leave.”
“Just don’t burn yourself out, Lorna. Veronica would kill me and call off the wedding if I worked you to death before then. She needs her maid of honor.”
“How are the plans for the wedding coming?”
“They’re not. Yes, we’re still getting married next year, but we’ve put the plans on hold until she can take a breath.”
“What’s going on?”
“Grady had a setback and its reflecting on the practice.”
“Holy shit, I mean holy monk balls, tell her to call me. Or better yet, we should do a girls’ night. I’ve been thinking about the wedding and I have some ideas.”
“I’ll let her know, but it might be a few weeks.”
“That’s fine. All my ideas are at home anyway.” She grinned, then sat up quickly. “Oh my god, I forgot to tell you something.”
“What’s that?”
“I moved out of Mother’s house last week, or a week and a half ago. I moved the day after I took the promotion.”
“Good for you.” Finn had been told by his fiancée how bad Lorna’s mother could be. He never would have thought it by Lorna’s personality. He jumped to his feet and hugged her. “Are you settled in? Do you need any help with anything?”
“No, I’m good. Murphy, Annie, their children, and Lori helped me.” At his quirked brow, she giggled. “Mother’s staff. Her driver, house cleaner, and cook.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Yeah, then I gave them the next three months off. The day of my promotion, Mother left for a three-month cruise.” Lorna covered her mouth and giggled. “She’s probably going to return with husband number eight in tow.”
“Good god, why?”
“My exact question. I gave up trying to figure my mother out years ago. I think I was six when that happened. As long as she doesn’t come knocking on my door, I don’t care.” She shrugged, and Finn realized that she actually didn’t.
“Okay, then I’ll let you get back to work. HR should have you a temp first thing in the morning.”
