Page 9 of Soaring Free
Hey. What time are you in today?
Me
In the next 15-20 minutes. Just about to take Gigi to school. What’s up?
Pippa
Perfect. You aren’t going to wantto miss my 9 AM.
Me
Nothing is on my schedule. Who is it?
Pippa
New client, but you’ll see when you get in.
My eyebrows scrunch in confusion. Pippa and I are usually pretty straight forward with each other and her acting all secretive is strange.
Me
Why are you being weird?
Pippa
Not weird. Just excited. You’ll see, promise it’s good. See you soon!
I double-check my email but there isn’t anything related to Pippa’s appointment.What the hell is my sister up to now? I thought she had outgrown her mischievous bullshit stage in her twenties.I’m not waiting fifteen minutes to solve this so I call the main line of the office.
“Good morning, Smith and Harrington. This is Susan, how may I help you?” Our reception manager answers on the second ring.
“Hey there, Susan, it’s Theo. How are you?” I smile and try to infuse my voice with every ounce of Harrington charm. I’m not above playing that card to get what I want.
“Hi, Theo. I’m well, but no, you can knock off the Prince Charming act. I can’t reveal anything about your sister’s appointment. She already spoke to me and said to expect your call.”
Damn it.
“If she knew I was going to call you then I’m worried that she and I may spend too much time together. But come on, you likeme, Susan. Why’s she making a big deal about this? Who’s the new client?” I plead with her, and if I thought she would go for it, I wouldn’t be above bribery to get the information I need. Unfortunately, we only hire the best and she can’t be bought.
“No sir, you can find out for yourself when you come in. Oh, and your sister asked that I inform you she’s already notified all staff not to assist you in your discovery efforts.” Pippa is such a ball-busting buzz kill—but she’s a brilliant one. I just don’t like when she uses her strategic powers against me. I can’t help but laugh at her thoroughness.
“I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same. Fine, tell her I’ll find out when I get there. But I’m disappointed in you, Susan.” I try to sound serious to sell my guilt trip.
“No, you aren’t, sir.” Susan doesn’t even consider taking the bait.
“Nah, you’re right.” I laugh because she is right. “See you soon, and this better live up to the hype when I get in.”
“Without saying too much, sir, I think your sister is right about this one. See you soon, and please drive safe and tell Gigi to have a wonderful day at school.” We disconnect and I gather my things to drive to the office and solve this mystery.
Who the hell is our new client?
Chapter six
“Ms. Callahan-Williams? If you’d follow me right this way, Ms. Lawrence is ready for you.” The kindly woman with the warm eyes who introduced herself as Susan gestures to one of the hallways off the lobby area. I smile and nod as I follow her. I try not to fidget with it, but this morning I swapped out my three-carat wedding ring for a ring Mama left me before she passed away. When she gave birth to both Vivian and me, Daddy gave her special rings to commemorate the occasion. Vivian’s has an emerald as the center stone, but my ring is a cushion cut sapphire in a dainty pavé setting. I have always loved this ring, but it feels … different on my left hand. The weight isn’t the same, the feel against my other fingers isn’t what I’m used to, and it’s distracting how different it feels.
With my head held high, I roll my shoulders slightly and realize I’m carrying more tension in my neck than I usually do. Being here should not make me nervous. I should be excited to stick it to my soon-to-be ex-husband, but my stomach flips as butterflies take off. It’s probably because I know this is a turning point and everything will change—again—after today. There’s a feeling of anticipation, mixed likely with some nerves, that is almost electric in my gut. My intuition and subconscious are probably just working through the various potential outcomes of this meeting.
And hopefully, the ultimate outcome includes the wreckage of Shane’s perfectly laid plans of exiting stage right of our lives unscathed.
