Try Me by Tawna Fenske

Author:Tawna Fenske [Fenske, Tawna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tawna Fenske

Chapter 10

Cassidy

Laughter rings from the sitting room as I move past a brunette maid hauling empty champagne flutes on a tray. She’s another new hire, so I stop and read her nametag.

“Hey, Tessa, I’m Cassidy.” I tip my head toward the sitting room. “Did they send you for round two?”

The girl shakes her head. “Happy hour’s over.” She darts a glance at the antique clock that says it’s three p.m. “Time for shopping.”

“Shopping?” I hope it’s online, since they’re in no condition to drive.

“Someone called for a limo service,” Tessa says. “It’ll be here in an hour.”

“Thanks.” I hold the door to the kitchen and wait for her to pass. Then I move through the sun-filled room overlooking the lake. Well-dressed women perch on Shirleen’s designer furniture, colorful birds swapping gossip on Hollywood scandals and the price of vacation homes in the Hamptons.

“Ladies.” I glance at my clipboard for clues to their names. “Ms. Ashbury? Your husband asked me to tell you he’s driving down to Bandon with Mr. Gerling and Mr. Fox for a round of golf.”

A rail-thin blonde with pale cheeks plumped by fillers gives a huff of dismay. “Why can’t he text me these things himself?”

Because he’d have to face your disapproval, instead of making me deal with it.

“Not sure,” I say, pasting on a smile, “but, Golf World magazine named it the number one golf resort in the world. It’s the best of the best among Scottish Links-style courses.” Like that means anything to me, but Ms. Ashbury brightens at the notion of having the best.

“Well,” she says, tossing her hair. “It’s good he’s getting out.”

From her chaise in the corner, the boss gives a satisfied smile as I continue down my checklist. “I also have a message for Ms. Eesuola.” I scan for the stately Black woman in waist-length box braids, grateful I keep spreadsheets with name pronunciations. “The spa got back to me and they’re happy to send a massage therapist to your cottage. Will six o’clock work?”

The woman checks her watch. “I’ll ask my yoga coach to wait.”

“Excellent.” I survey the room for anyone else who might need me.

Shirleen catches my eye and stands. “Will you excuse us a moment, ladies?”

Uh-oh.

I swallow a knot in my throat as the boss lady strides over and catches my elbow. “Let’s talk in the atrium.”

“Of course.” I practice my breathing and wonder what I’ve done to require a one-on-one. Did I order the wrong color tablecloths for lunch? Choose daisies for guest suites instead of lilies? It could be anything.

Trying to keep my hands from trembling, I follow Shirleen down the hall. “Is something wrong?”

She’s silent as she leads me to the glassed-in room filled with plants and a waterfall spilling from a second-floor pool. “Besides Carla Goldburg being obnoxious as usual?” Shirleen rolls her eyes and shuts the door stiffly. “Everything’s lovely.”

“Oh.” Then why the private meeting? “Were you satisfied with the party?” We debriefed the next day, but it’s not unheard of for Shirleen to change her mind.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.