17.
I don’t know what she’ll become, but I have no doubt she’ll do great things, go far, and be anything she sets her mind to.
I know that sounds like I’m sucking up, and maybe I am . . . a little. Truth is, the girl scares the shit out of me, and she’s still just a kid. I can’t even imagine what she’ll be capable of when she grows up.
Izzy Stoffer
ZIGGY
“What’s left for today?” I asked Gabby as she walked past the open doorway.
Stepping into my office, she said, “You don’t have any more appointments, but I’d like to do a recap to update my notes so we’re ready to hit the ground running on Monday.”
“Do you have any plans for the weekend?” I asked as she settled across from me and opened her laptop.
“I have a date this evening, and I was invited to a cookout tomorrow afternoon.”
“Look at you, acclimating to your new environment.”
In the two weeks since we moved to Rojo, Gabby had grown much more comfortable around me–probably because we were generally alone in this house, our temporary office and my temporary home.
I’d originally planned to stay here only until I bought a larger property on more land, but something Jewel said last week made me realize that wasn’t going to happen.
Not if things kept progressing between us the way they had been.
“I’ve made quite a few friends, and they’ve introduced me to some of their close family members and other friends. Everyone here is very welcoming.”
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
“I am, although those first few days were very confusing.”
“How so?”
“You know the scene in all of those apocalyptic movies where the protagonist walks down the street completely alone, without a soul in sight? There were times when I felt like that character, waiting for a zombie to come lurching toward me or something equally terrifying.”
“I guess I don’t follow.”
“At home, just going to grab lunch meant bumping shoulders with dozens of people rushing to their destinations. The second I stepped out of my apartment building, the street bustled with lined-up cars, distant traffic noise, and crowded sidewalks. I can’t think of a time, even late at night, when people weren’t everywhere. ”
“How often did you venture out late at night?” I asked.
“As rarely as possible.”
“And now?”
“When I walk out onto my front porch–which is fabulous and reminds me of every movie I’ve ever seen about the suburbs–there are sounds, but nothing like home. The occasional lawnmower, almost always a motorcycle, kids laughing, dogs barking. It’s very tranquil.”
“You’ve embraced your surroundings and seem much more relaxed.”
“You do too!” Gabby said, gesturing to the shirt she’d purchased for me soon after we moved to town.
I now had at least a dozen collared, three-button, short-sleeved shirts that were cooler and more comfortable than the suits and ties in my wardrobe. I also had a selection of shorts and casual pants, and I hadn’t touched a single pair of dress shoes in over a week.
Gabby wasn’t the only one who’d embraced our new lifestyle. Tino and Jersey appreciated the informality just as much as she and I did.
“You know what I think is the most fabulous thing about my new home?” Before I could answer, she said, “Other than the space, the grass in the yard, and all the other suburban things I never realized would be so wonderful?”
“What?”
“Central air.” Gabby tilted her head back and smiled as she took a deep breath. “Yesterday, I came home from the gym and went straight to the shower. When I stepped out of the bathroom, I got goosebumps. In July, Ziggy! It was fabulous.”
I chuckled at her exuberance. “You didn’t have an AC in your apartment?”
“I had the usual window unit that could barely keep up, which is not the same as central air. If we could figure out how to install it in every apartment back home, we’d get the Nobel Prize and the key to the city.”
“That’s an idea.”
“Okay, let’s get to work so we can start our weekend,” Gabby suggested, leaning forward to scroll on her laptop.
My screen began moving as she activated her screen-share connection–a bit of technical magic I still couldn’t figure out.
I let her drive the conversation as she listed our accomplishments for the week and outlined our schedule for the weeks ahead. ”
“Jewel’s friend Holly has all of the information and is gathering names for the guest list for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and afterparty.
The notes you gave me about your favorite restaurant came in handy.
They have a catering department and penciled in our prospective dates, alongside the bakery Tino keeps raving about.
Brooklyn also has a line on a good barbecue caterer she insists must be part of every menu, but I think . . .”
“She’s right. It seems to be a staple, and once you try some of the good stuff, you’ll understand why.”
“I think she’s only insisting because he’s related to her.”
“That’s not a problem. I might be wrong, but I think that the event planner is distantly related to Jewel somehow, and she considers the restaurant and bakery owners part of her extended family.”
“What about Castle Management? We’ve got a meeting with them next week to sign the contract for their company to take care of the personnel.”
“One or two of her nieces work there, I believe.”
“Should we look at outside sources for these things, just to make sure the goods and services they offer are in line with what else is available in the area.”
“You’ve gotten to know Jewel a little over the last few weeks, Gabby. What do you think?”
“That if she doesn’t like something, it doesn’t matter who created it or owns it–she’s gonna speak up.”
“With that being said, I think Jewel is a good resource for references on everything we need. If a glaring issue pops up, we’ll take it to her. Brooklyn is heavily invested, too, and she’s enough like Jewel that she won’t tolerate less than the best.”
“You’re right.”
“I’m the boss, Gabby. I’m always right.”
“Right-handed,” Gabby retorted without missing a beat.
Without thinking, I blurted, “Do you know who your mother is?”
“Do you think I was hatched?”
I chuckled. “I was wondering if Jewel had secretly given birth to a daughter, but now I realize it’s just her bad influence on you. I’ll need to make sure you aren’t spending too much time with her.”
“Do you really believe you can tell Jewel who she can and can’t talk to?” Gabby asked.
I scoffed. “I know for a fact that if I tried, whoever I wanted her to avoid would probably become her new best friend.”
“It’s promising that you realize that about her,” Gabby said as she opened another document.
“I guess I should have known how you’d feel about the nepotism in those choices when almost everyone involved in the restoration–from landscaping to interior demolition–was referred to us by either Brooklyn or Jewel. ”
“It wasn’t a secret that Brooklyn is connected to them since they share a last name, but you researched them thoroughly, I’m sure. I know I did. They come with glowing references from businesses all over the tri-state area, not just Rojo.”
“They do, and so far, they’ve done a bang-up job. I didn’t know construction projects could run ahead of schedule, but they’re beating deadlines on every single task!”
“We’ll be ready to bring the players here sooner than I hoped.”
“By at least a month. When is Mr. Washington scheduled to arrive?”
“He’ll be here next Friday, and the offices should be ready for us by then.”
Gabby did a little shake as she grinned. “I’m so excited! Are you excited?”
“I am, although maybe not as much as you.”
“Ziggy, in case I haven’t said it before, I want you to know how grateful I am for the opportunities you’ve given me and all the exciting plans for the future. I’m proud to be part of your team, and I’m thankful you treat us like partners, not peons doing your bidding.”
“I’m very glad to have you on our team, Gabby, but I have to ask–did you come into this thinking that was the kind of man I’d be?”
Gabby looked uncomfortable for a second before she admitted, “Your reputation preceded you, but I took a chance, and I’m so glad I did.”
“So am I. Now, I know it’s a little early, but get out of here and start your weekend plans. Do all the things a woman does before a date.”
“Do you even know what those tasks might be?”
“Give me a second,” I said as I picked up my phone.
I’d like to send my assistant to have an afternoon of pampering before her date this evening. Where do you suggest?
The dots on the screen started moving–Jewel was already forming a reply.
Good. That meant her afternoon wasn’t too hectic.
I had learned it took her an hour or two to decompress after back-to-back appointments, but I liked being there with her while she unwound.
Lucky for me, I had a few tricks up my sleeve that helped her relax.
Just thinking about the things we did in the early evening sent blood rushing straight to my lap, and I was glad I wouldn’t have to stand up before Gabby left. I’d embarrass myself if I did.
Twisted Scissors.
It’s my sister’s shop, but she’s not there as often as she used to be. Want me to make her an appointment?
I would appreciate that. I’m sure they’re busy, but can you get her in for nails, toes, and whatever else she might want–preferably in the next half hour?
You ask a lot, Nip, but I’ll make it happen. My niece runs the place, and she knows I can be testy when I don’t get my way. She’ll figure something out. Give me five.
“I should probably stick around and finish prepping for our meetings next week,” Gabby said uncertainly.
Today is your lucky day. Opal had a cancellation. Send Gabby now. I told her to tally up the bill and text me. You can pay then.
And you better be a good tipper, or all bets are off!
The next message was an address. I looked up at Gabby, who was patiently waiting even though I’d already told her she could take the rest of the afternoon off.
“Okay, one last thing. I’m about to text you an address. Go there and ask for a woman named Opal. She’s waiting for you.”