Chapter 13
Maisie
I watch in horror as the sauce-covered spoon slides off Jack’s face and onto the floor. Flecks of sauce decorate his cream-colored sweater, which looks like it costs more than my monthly rent.
What is it made of? Baby alpaca wool?
I stand here, contemplating the composition of my boss’s clothes for far too long. Until I realize we’ve been silently staring at each other and jump into action. “Oh, oh no. Give it to me, and I’ll put it in cold water. We can save it. I can clean it. I can clean it.” I tug ineffectually at the hem of Jack’s sweater, trying to get it over his head while he tries to hold it down.
“Miss Mitchell.” Jack pushes at my wrists as we grapple for the sweater. And for a moment, he appears to have the upper hand. However, after the utterly accidental discovery of his ticklish spots under his arms and, ironically, his elbows, I end up victorious.
Crowing triumphantly, I rush to the sink and shove the sweater under the cold water, swishing the sauce spots to try to loosen them. “It’s okay. I can get the stains out. It’s okay.” I’m so focused on my task that I don’t hear Jack calling my name from behind me until he forcefully grabs me by the shoulders and turns me around to face him.
“Maisie! I don’t give a damn about the sweater! Calm down and listen.”
Given the height difference, I’m face to face with his toned chest. A light sprinkling of hair dusts his pecs in a trail down to his jeans, hanging low on his hips. I swallow roughly before raising my eyes to meet his. Jack’s jaw is clenched while his hands almost massage my shoulders. He presses me between his warm body and the sink.
On reflex, my palms come up and rest on his pecs. He pulls me closer, and the heat radiating off him is a jarring contrast to the cold water splashing up from the tap. He rubs his nose over my hair, breathing deeply, and I can feel the groan rattling in his chest.
“Jack.” His name leaves my mouth in a whisper, but it still breaks the spell, and he jerks back, putting several feet between us. I clutch the benchtop behind me as we stare at each other for an eternity.
“Don’t worry about the sweater. You can throw it away. I’m going to go get a new shirt.” Jack turns abruptly and heads upstairs.
It takes several more minutes before I collect myself enough to turn off the tap and wring out the garment. Most of the splotches are pale pink by now, and after checking the tag, I’m sure I can get the rest out with a bit of elbow grease.
Setting the sweater aside, I grab a sponge and cleaner to wipe up the floor. Placing the kitchen to rights centers me, and I can think again when I’m done. I hang Jack’s sweater over the drying rack in the laundry, spray on a bit of spot remover I found in a cabinet, and leave it to soak.
I’m spooning up the chili when Jack joins me in the kitchen again. I give him a tight smile and sit at the far end of the table with my own sleeve of crackers. Jack grabs sour cream and shredded cheese out of the fridge.
I shake my head. Of course, he would go all out.
“The fridge is well stocked. Did you arrange that?” Jack grabs a bottle of Pelligrino before taking his seat.
I nod and finish chewing my food. “I provided a list of groceries I got from your housekeeper, added a few of my own, and paid the owners an extra fee to have the place stocked. Apparently, this cabin isn’t booked often due to its distance from the resort, so the hosts were thrilled we were interested. Jocelyn, the wife, was so grateful she made us several meals and left them for us to reheat. Hence the chili.”
We eat in silence before we both decide to break it at the same time.
“Look—”
“Jack—”
Jack chuckles as we each stumble over what to say. “I was very unprofessional earlier. I want to apologize. I never want you to feel anything other than comfortable here with me.”
I wave him off. “No, no. I know it was a... mishap. We’re good. It’s okay.”
When we finish eating, and the continued silence grows to be too much, I clear my throat and grab one of the boxes we brought.
“So, let’s go over the plan for tomorrow. Here’s what we know.” I pull the file close to me. “Marcus McIntyre is married with two kids, Maxim and Calista, twins, age seventeen. His wife, Alexandra, is his business partner and works in their marketing department. According to his secretary, Marcus is a family man, golfs on weekends, attends his kids’ sporting events, school functions, and so on.” I peer up from my notes. “I don’t see anything indicating why he would pull the contract. I assisted with the terms, which appear very beneficial for both parties. You’d both stand to make a large sum.” I push up from the table to place our dishes in the sink and flip the switch on the kettle.
“I tapped all my known sources, and no one’s heard anything. We’ll likely find out tomorrow.” Jack’s frustration is evident in his tone and crossed arms.
I shrug, pull some mugs down from the cabinet, and grab the hot chocolate packets from the pantry. “It may have nothing to do with the terms at all.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, we can agree that the contract is solid. Both companies stand to gain profits and market shares. There’s no logical reason for Marcus not to sign, so maybe his reasoning isn’t logical.” I dump the packets into the cups, adding boiling water to each.
“Continue.”
“Well, it could have to do with something that happened to him when he interacted with someone from your company.” I grab the can of squirty cream from the fridge, adding a generous serving to my mug and an average amount to Jack’s.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Well, for example. If I were out to dinner and saw someone misbehaving at the bar… They’re loud, swearing, pushing, and generally causing a ruckus, which then forces the manager to come over and escort them out. And I notice they’re wearing a company shirt—let’s say for a lawn service—I know that I would think twice about hiring that company to mow my lawn based on how that one employee was behaving. The employee will probably get fired, and it isn’t the company’s fault that one employee acted out of turn on his own time. However, my opinion of that company is now tarnished. Maybe something similar happened with him and someone in your circle?” I set the mugs on the table before reclaiming my seat.
Jack stares at me. So I grab a napkin and wipe my chin, thinking I may have some cream on it. When it comes back clean, I shift nervously in my chair until I can’t take it anymore.
“What?”
“You’re a genius.” Jack continues to stare at me in awe.
“What are you on about?”
“You’re a genius. I never would have thought about something like that. I never would have made the connection, never would have connected those dots. You’re absolutely brilliant. What am I going to do when you leave?”
“You’ll be okay. I’m sure you’ll find someone even more amazing than me.” I blush at his compliments. “Even if I stayed, I couldn’t be your assistant. I’ve worked too hard to get past this part of my life. I appreciate the help with the internship hours and the job. I can never thank you enough, but this is not where I’m meant to be.”
“No, I don’t think it is, Maisie,” Jack murmurs. “I’m going to head to bed. We have to be ready to leave by eight tomorrow. I purchased dining privileges, so we need to check in for our entrance cards. They’re linked to the company account, so anything you charge is covered.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be ready. I’ll finish up down here and then head to bed as well. Sweet dreams, Jack.”
“Sweet dreams, Maisie.” Jack’s voice floats back into the room as he ascends the stairs.
I clean the kitchen and remove the sauce stains from the sweater as best I can, quickly washing it by hand before laying it back over the drying rack for the night. Then I take a quick shower and slip into my favorite flannel pajamas. By the time my head hits the pillow, I’m already out.