Page 31 of Degrees of Acceptance
“I know, I feel the same way, but at the same time I support the work that Chase is doing and with that comes the shit we’re experiencing right now. I wish it didn’t, but it does.”
We finish our wine and Mom catches me up on some of her work gossip. She’s known for marketing some of the biggest names in show biz and helping them keep a quiet, low-key lifestyle when at home in Naples. She regales me with a story about one of her clients who just built a house on the coast with a twenty stall boat garage. Chase returns as she’s telling me how outraged he was when people were snooping around his property and then how he hired a publicist to leak stories when he was no longer of interest.
“Ladies, the exchange has been made, and the planes are on their way out of O’Hare. We can go back upstairs and should be able to sleep in our own beds this evening,” he says.
“Good, I have a little work to get done tonight,” I say.
“Katarina, undoubtedly it can wait until tomorrow?” he asks.
“I have a few things that need to get done yet tonight,” I counter, watching the expression on his face. After a day like today, I just want to bury myself in my work.
“The last few days have been fraught with negotiations, Katarina. One more would not be a problem. There is absolutely nothing that if not done tonight will have a severe impact tomorrow,” he insists.
“You are absolutely infuriating sometimes,” I retort, noticing my mother’s failed attempt to conceal her smile. I scowl at her.
“What?” she asks in response to my glare. “It’s nice to see that someone else besides me thinks you work too much,” she states.
“Mom, you are supposed to be on my side,” I exclaim.
“I am on your side. Maybe if you stop working so much we’ll be able to see each other more than once every few months,” she says.
“Clearly I am not going to win with the two of you,” I counter.
“I’m glad you realize the futility,” Chase says, his tone quiet and uncompromising.
“It will wait until tomorrow, but we are so not done with this conversation,” I retort, ignoring the set of his jaw. He can be so controlling and so exasperating, sometimes!I passDerrick and Sheldon on the way to the kitchen and see Derrick’s eyebrows rise having evidently overheard my outburst.
“Gaby, we got the all clear. We can go back upstairs now,” I say.
“Great news! I was just going to make peach strata for breakfast, but I can do that later,” she says.
“Let me help you get things upstairs. I’m sure that chocolate cream pie is not safe if we leave it for Chase to carry.”
“Surely that young man would have it gone before we got halfway upstairs,” she says laughing. We leave most of it until morning but take the pies and cheese upstairs.
“Should I cut a few more of the pies?” I ask, knowing that Chase and the others will soon be upstairs.
“Kate, you don’t have to do that. I heard you mention you still have other work to finish,” she says, seeming a little flustered.
I sigh. “Gaby, I do have a little to complete before tomorrow afternoon, but it’s more a way to keep busy. And, he can be so bossy! You know, all the security, safe rooms; it’s just a little much sometimes.”
“It does take some getting used to and I have to admit he is a rather intense young man. I recall when Chase first hired me thinking Lord, what have I gotten myself into. I can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else now, though.”
“That’s how my mom described him when she first met him,” I say, smiling at the memory. I can see how much you care about him and know the feeling is mutual,” I say, uncovering the pies.
“You don’t have to help,” she says.
“Gaby, I love being in the kitchen. Besides, I know as soon as Chase has everything settled he is going to be ready for a huge slice of each of your pies. In fact, we were just raiding the kitchen when he got the call that we had to go downstairs,” I admit.
“Heisters, I can’t keep dessert in the house to save my life with the likes of you two around,” she clucks. She pulls a couple knives out of the butcher block and hands me one.
“I suppose everyone may be a little hungry after a night like tonight. I’m going to put some decaf and regular coffee on to brew. I’m sure with everything going on that half of the boys are sure to be on duty tonight. Derrick and Sheldon will want pie, and I would imagine Jay and Matt won’t be far behind.” It does not take us long to get dessert ready and in short order, she pulls out the vanilla ice cream. “The boys will probably want a little ice cream, too.” She clearly loves taking care of everyone, and I can see why Chase cares so much about her.
“Gaby, let me help you peel peaches for the strata. Chase is going to be a little bit, and I’d rather do this right now than the work I have upstairs,” I admit.
We’re laughing at one of Gaby’s jokes and peeling peaches when Chase walks in. He grins widely at the site of the pie, ice cream and coffee we have laid out.
“I’ll let the guys know you have food set up in the kitchen,” Chase says, poking his head back through the door to alert the men.
