Page 56 of Bossy Mess

“Is that all?” I asked.

“It’s just,” Courtney began, sighing before continuing her sentence, “she hasn’t responded to my texts. And I’m beginning to get worried about her.”

“I’m sure she’s just resting.”

“Maybe I should go check on her.”

Too late, I thought. I’d already been there, and that apartment was completely cleared out. Of course, I couldn’t let Courtney know that.

“That’s not necessary,” I said. “Give her a day or two.”

My plan wasn’t very far reaching. I hoped Sloane would return by then, but I had no guarantees and, deep down, I wasn’t expecting that to happen. If she was uncertain about her decision, she wouldn’t have completely moved out of her apartment like she did.

“Mr. Hartford…” Courtney trailed off. It was clear there was something she wanted to say but was exhibiting an uncharacteristic level of shyness in expressing it.

“Yes? What is it?”

She shook her head and bit her lower lip. “I don’t want you to get mad.”

“Okay.”

Courtney looked up at me earnestly and took in a deep breath. “I know what’s been going on between you and Sloane.”

My heart jumped into my throat and began to race a mile a minute.

“And what might that be.” I tried to keep my voice calm and allowed my face to betray nothing.

It wasn’t going to work. “Do you want me to say it?” Courtney asked. “I don’t think you do.”

I didn’t respond. “What are you trying to get at?” I asked. Courtney wasn’t the blackmailing type the way that Marty Dyer was. I didn’t think she wanted money, nor did I believe she was about to issue me a threat.

“Sloane is my friend,” she said. “I think she might be sick, but not with the flu. And she may have caught it from you.”

She shook her head. “Sorry,” she said. “It’s not my place and you’re my boss. I just need you to get your shit sorted out.”

I would love to do that, I thought. I wish I could snap my fingers and make everything okay.

More than that, I wished I could just come clean and tell Courtney the truth. That I didn’t know where Sloane was. That she’d disappeared off the face of the planet.

I wished I could ask Courtney for advice and maybe that was what she was hinting at, but I wasn’t comfortable with that. At least not at that moment. We didn’t have that kind of relationship. This was the most we’d talked one on one in months.

Though I couldn’t talk to her, there was someone else out there whom I could talk directly to.

“I apologize, Ms. Pines,” I told her. “I have to meet somebody for lunch.”

And likely a game or two of backgammon, I thought.

I grabbed my jacket from off of the rack. “Perhaps we can further discuss this during the afternoon.”

Courtney glared at me. The expression on her face suggested she thought I was evading responsibility and trying to get away from her. That was partially true, and I felt guilty for it.

“Enjoy your lunch,” she said, deadpan.

I nodded at her and walked out of the office.

* * *

My mother instantly knew something was up. She could see it in my eyes. To be truthful, it may have partially been a lack of sleep on my part. The day was finally catching up with me and what little sleep I’d gotten the night before wasn’t great. I kept waking up every hour or so.

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