Chapter 10
CJ
CJ added another splash of Amaretto to Frank’s cocktail.
No matter what Karina said, she wasn’t going to deny him one of his few daily pleasures.
She occasionally joined him for a stiff nut when Karina spent the evening out.
They were strong and sweet, just like Frank.
And unique, too. She’d searched online but still didn’t know where he’d found the recipe.
She got a little misty-eyed when she realized that she’d miss mixing him cocktails.
She took pleasure in the ritual, like with his cappuccinos, getting everything just right so Frank relaxed when he took that first sip.
When the music started, she watched him rise unsteadily and head for the deck.
He used to host raucous listening parties for his albums, but background music made him uncomfortable now, because he couldn’t concentrate on either the music or the conversation.
She started to follow him, to keep him company, but that was so daughterly that it would make Karina sour for a week.
She scanned the crowd for Pax, to ask him to go, but she spotted Sophie instead, looking slightly overwhelmed, so she drifted over and said, “Any luck?”
“Not yet,” Sophie told her. “The truth is, I don’t even know how to start. Do you ever wonder if you’re not cut out for your job?”
“Well, I never saw myself as a personal assistant slash housekeeper slash wrinkle-wrangler, but here I am, almost fifteen years later.”
Sophie gave a charming snort. “Wrinkle-wrangler?”
“That’s what Frank called me once. How long have you been doing development?”
“A month and a half.”
CJ pretended shock. “And you’re not an expert yet? What is wrong with you?”
“I know, I know! I just can’t stand being useless.”
“You know what would be useful?” She gave Sophie the stiff nut and a plate of empanadas. “Bring these to Frank on the veranda. And, uh, would you mind asking him for advice about fundraising? He loves playing the wise old man.”
“Sure, as a favor to you, I’m happy to ask the rich guy about fundraising.”
CJ nodded solemnly. “Thanks. And ask about playwriting, too. He worked with creative people for decades, he might have a tip or two.”
“I can see why Mrs. B introduced you to Ocean,” Sophie said.
“All this,” she said, “and bra straps, too.”