She laughs. "Oh, yeah? What'd you do?"
"I don't want to talk about it." I stop at my cubicle and see it's been cleaned out. The computer. My files. They're not there anymore.
"What happened to my office?" I ask.
"Maybe you got fired from here too," Jess says, laughing, as she walks away.
"Gavin." Ana, Jett's assistant, appears. "Your new office is right this way."
I follow her to an actual office with an actual door. The only people who have offices here are the people who are at least twice my age and have way more experience. Why is Jett giving me an office? Now everyone here who's close to my age is going to hate me. Even Jess doesn't have an office. As much as she annoys me, she deserves an office more than I do.
"I'll let you get settled," Ana says. She closes my door on her way out.
Sitting down at my fancy new desk in my fancy new chair, I check out the list Jett left me. It's printed out and sitting next to my computer, or computers, plural. I have both a laptop and a desktop computer with a huge screen. The list is labeled 'Action Steps' and next to each one are expected completion dates, most of which are next week. There's no way I can get all this done, not unless I work day and night, which I can't do with the restaurant opening.
What am I going to do? Kate was already angry about me working for Jett and she'll be even angrier when she finds out how much I'll be working. But if I quit, I won't have a job and may not be able to find a new one.
I leave at five, despite having enough work to keep me there past midnight. It'll just have to wait.
When I get home, Kate's not there. She's still at the restaurant. I told her I'd meet her there but she said she wouldn't be much longer and would be heading home soon. It's strange to be home this early. It wasn't that long ago I used to have a normal schedule and end my day at five, but now that I've been working later it feels odd to not be at the office.
While I'm waiting for Kate, I go in the bedroom and change clothes. I open my drawer and see the note I found from my dad and the key that was with it. I have to find out what this key is for. Not knowing has been bothering me since I found it. I have a feeling it has to do with his mistress. Was it a key to her building? Her apartment? Does she live in the city or somewhere else?
I get out my laptop and do a search for Kendal Properties, which are the only words written on the key. The property company pops up first in the search engine and I click on it and find that they own condos and apartments all over the country. I do a search for the New York City metro area and find twenty properties. This key could be for any one of those properties, or maybe it's for a place out of town. My dad travelled all the time. Maybe this woman he was seeing lived in a different state.
"Gavin," I hear Kate say. "I'm home!"
"I'm here." I close my laptop and go out to the living room.
"I love that you're here." She runs up to me and gives me a kiss. "Does this mean you're back to working regular hours?"
"Well, actually I wanted to—"
"Oh! I forgot to tell you." She races off to the kitchen and opens the fridge. "I'm going to Moorhurst."
"This fall?"
"Yeah." She takes a water from the fridge. "Classes start in a few weeks."
"I thought it was too late to register."
"Mr. Walcott pulled some strings and got me in. And he's paying for everything, just like he said he would."
"Are you going to have time for this? Running a restaurant is a full-time job."
"I know, but I feel like I'd be better at running my business if I took a class or two." She comes up and puts her arms around me. "I really want the restaurant to do well. Did you know most restaurants fail within the first year or two?"
"That's not going to happen to yours. You have a great location, great concept, great menu." I kiss her. "And you're great at everything you do. The restaurant isn't going to fail."
She smiles. "You're sweet. Did I tell you how much I love you?"
"I love you too."
She's so happy right now that I hate to bring this up. Maybe I should wait. I could wait until after dinner.
"Let's go out," I tell her.
"Out where?"
"Let's go get a pizza. We haven't had pizza in weeks and I'm craving it."
"That does sound good." She pauses. "Maybe I should add pizza to my menu. Everyone likes pizza. What do you think?"
"It doesn't go with the diner theme."
"It would if I had meatloaf pizza." She laughs. "Actually, that sounds disgusting."
I take her hand. "C'mon. Let's go. Then we'll come back here and do what we did last night."
"I'd love to but I have to go back to the restaurant later," she says as we walk to the door. "Will you come with me?"
"Can't you take tonight off? I'm really tired and I know you are too."
"I just have to go there and check that the new freezer is working. They installed it today."
"Okay, but after we do that, we're coming home."
Later that night, when we're back at the apartment, I'm about to tell Kate about my job but then her mom calls. Angie tells Kate that someone tried to break into her apartment. She was sleeping and heard someone trying to open the door. She was going to call the police but when she looked out the peephole into the hall, the person was gone. Now she's freaking out, thinking this person might come back.
"We have to go see her," Kate says, tossing her phone in her purse and putting her shoes on. "We have to calm her down. She won't sleep when she's this upset."
"Why don't you call your dad? He only lives a few miles from her. He could go check on her."
"I don't think she'd be comfortable with that. Let's just go there ourselves." She waits at the door. "Are you coming?"
Telling her about my job will have to wait. It's not a good time. She's too worried about her mom.
On the hour-long drive to her mom's apartment, I say, "I still think you should call your dad. He could keep an eye on the place. See if anyone suspicious is lurking around. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"I don't know if my mom would be okay with that."
"If she doesn't want your dad doing it, he could have the guy who works for him do it. Just call him. See what he says."
She makes the call. "Hey, Dad. Got a question for you." She explains the situation. She ends the call just as I'm pulling up to her mom's building.
"What'd he say?"
"He's coming over. He wants to check for any evidence."
"Do you think your mom will be mad that you called him?"
"No, but she might feel awkward about it. Trying to keep her safe is something a husband would do, not an ex-husband."
"I'm sure a part of him still cares about her."
"I know, but it's still awkward, especially since she knows he's dating your mom."
We go up to Angie's apartment. When we knock, we announce ourselves but she still cautiously opens the door and keeps the chain connected.
"Mom, it's us," Kate says.
"I know. I was just being careful."
She undoes the chain and opens the door.
Kate hugs her. "You okay?"
"I'm better now. Thanks for coming." She smiles at me. "Gavin, it's good to see you."
"Yeah, sorry about what happened."
"I still don't know who it was."
"Maybe someone was just confused and went to the wrong apartment," Kate says.
"Could be," she says, "but he seemed awfully determined to get in."
"Angie." Craig walks through the door, ignoring Kate and me. He races up to Angie and puts his hands on her shoulders. "Are you okay?" He looks her up and down.
"Craig, what are you doing here?"
"Kate called me. She told me what happened."
Angie looks at Kate. "You shouldn't have called your father. He's a busy man. He doesn't need to be bothered by this."
"Angie, don't be ridiculous," Craig says. "It's not a bother. This is my job. This is wha
t I do. I track down criminals. Keep people safe."
"You catch cheating spouses," she says. "You're not in the business of catching criminals anymore and I don't want you doing it again. It's too dangerous."
"Sweetheart, you know I—" He stops and clears his throat. I don't think he meant to say 'sweetheart'. He must've called her that when they were married. "Angie, you know I will always do anything to keep you safe. It doesn't matter that we're divorced. I wouldn't let anything happen to you."
Their eyes are locked on each other and I'm feeling like this has suddenly turned into an intimate moment I shouldn't be part of. I glance at Kate, who's staring at them with a confused look on her face. She keeps saying her mom no longer has feelings for her dad but after witnessing this, I'm thinking she's wrong.
"Well," Angie says, looking away. "Thank you for coming." She walks around Craig to the kitchen. "Would anyone like something to drink?"
"Tell us what happened," Craig says.
Angie returns to the living room and we all sit down. She replays the story but there isn't much to tell. She heard a guy talking in the hall, then heard him trying to open her door. That's about it.
"Did he sound drunk?" Craig asks.
"No, but I really didn't hear him say much. I just heard a man's voice in the hall and then heard my door handle being jiggled." She sighs. "Maybe I'm overreacting. Like you said, maybe he just stopped at the wrong door."
"You can never be too safe," Craig says. "I'll start keeping watch on your apartment. If I see anything, I'll let you know."
"Craig, I don't want you doing that," Angie says. "You don't have time for that."
"I'll do it remotely. I have cameras that link to my phone. I'll install some in the hall and around your door. I could put one inside as well if you're okay with that."
"Let's hold off on that for now."
He nods. "That's fine. I'll go back to my place and get the equipment. I'll install the cameras tonight. It won't take long."
"Thanks," she tells him. "I really appreciate this."
"And I think..." He hesitates, his eyes on her. "I think you should stay with me tonight."
The room goes silent. Kate's eyes move back and forth between her parents. We wait for her mom to say something but she doesn't.
Craig finally speaks. "I have a guest room. It's where Kate stays when she comes over. I think you'd feel better staying there than staying here tonight. Wouldn't you agree?"
Angie nods. "Yes. You're probably right. I would feel better not being here."
He stands up. "Then it's settled. Pack a bag. I'll go get the cameras." He looks at Kate. "Can you stay here with your mother until I get back?"
"Yeah, we'll be here."
He leaves and Angie goes in her room to pack.
"That was weird," Kate says quietly to me. "It's almost like they still have feelings for each other."
I laugh. "Yeah. That's pretty obvious."
She grabs my arm. "What do you mean? You think they really do?"
"Kate, did you see them just now? Did you see how they looked at each other?"
"My dad was just concerned about my mom. And she thought it was sweet that he offered to help. That's all that was."
"It was more than that. They still have feelings for each other. They may not want to act on those feelings, but they're definitely there."
"There's no way my parents are getting back together."
"Maybe not, but that doesn't mean they don't have feelings for each other."
"This is so weird." She sinks down on the couch. "I don't know how I feel about this."
I sit next to her. "Just be happy they get along and that your dad is helping her."
"I am. But it's still weird."
Craig returns and Kate and I head home. On the drive back, I say something to her and she doesn't even hear me. She's too distracted, her mind still on her parents.
Once again, I can't tell her about my job. It's not the right time. It's never the right time. And yet I have to tell her. Soon.
Chapter Eighteen
Kate
"I think we're about done with everything," Henry says as he sits next to me at the counter. In true diner style, the restaurant has a long counter with shiny red stools that swivel.
"That's great," I tell him.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"Nothing. Why?"
"You seem distracted."
"I was just thinking about my parents. I can't believe how they acted last night. I mean, my dad's dating Celeste, so why was he looking at my mom like that?"
"He has a history with your mother. It's not surprising he still has feelings for her."
"But he's going out with Celeste again."
"That doesn't mean anything. I'm sure Celeste is the one who talked him into it. Do you think your mother will get back together with the man in Florida?"
"No. He cheated on her. She doesn't take back cheaters."
"Speaking of your mother." He looks behind me and smiles as he stands up. "Angie, good to see you."
I turn and see my mom coming in the door.
"Hello, Henry," she says, then looks at me. "Hi, honey."
"Mom, I didn't know you'd be here today."
"Carol and I are having lunch at a place not too far from here so I thought I'd stop by. She wants to see the restaurant so we're meeting here, if that's okay."
"It's fine. So what happened last night?" I pause, realizing it sounds like I was asking her if she did something with my dad. "I mean, with that guy who tried to break in. Did Dad see anything on the cameras? Did the guy try to come back?"
"Your father said he didn't see anything unusual."
"So you can go back to your apartment now?"
"I could, but your father insists I stay another night."
Henry shoots me a grin. He thinks my dad wants my mom to stay longer because he's trying to get her back, but it's not true. He's just worried about her safety.
"I should get back to work," Henry says, walking back to the kitchen.
Once Henry is gone, I say, "So was it strange? Staying with Dad?"
"It was fine." She smiles. "Your father was a gentleman, as always. And very sweet. He kept checking to make sure I had whatever I needed."
"Did you like his place?"
"I did. It's better than mine. The air conditioner actually works. I think mine is broken. I was going to tell the landlord but wasn't sure if I should since it's not my apartment. Technically, my friend isn't allowed to sublet it so I'm trying to hide the fact that I'm staying there."
"It's supposed to be really hot this week. Maybe you should stay with Dad a few more days."
"He mentioned that last night. I might take him up on the offer, but I'll go back to my own place on Saturday," she pauses, "in case he wants to bring his date home."
"Celeste?" I laugh. "I doubt he'd bring her home."
"Why wouldn't he? Are they not getting along?"
"I don't know, but I can't see him bringing her home. For one, I think Saturday is more of a work meeting than a date. And two, even if he liked her that way, Dad doesn't move that fast."
Her brows rise. "It's a work meeting? Not a date?"
Why does she care? Is she actually interested in dating my dad? After all these years?
"She's hiring him for a friend of hers so I'm sure it's a work thing."
"Huh." She chews on her lip, a faraway look in her eyes.
"Have you heard from Allen?" I ask.
"Who?"
"Allen. Your ex?"
"Oh." She shakes her head. "No. I haven't heard from him. And if he calls, I won't answer. Allen is history."
"Good. You deserve someone better than him. Way better."
"The restaurant looks great," she says, changing the subject. She smiles as she glances around the room.
"Yeah, it's pretty much done. We just have a few things to finish in the kitchen."
She reaches over and gives me a hug. "I'm so proud of y
ou, honey."
"You taught me everything I know. And you had it a lot harder than me. You had to pay for it all yourself. I've hardly paid for anything. The renovations were all paid for by Mr. Walcott."
She steps back. "I wish you hadn't done that."
"Done what?"
"Taken his money. I wish you would've at least talked to me before you did it."
"Why?"
"Because I would've tried to talk you out of it. I don't like you being in debt to this man."
"I'm not in debt to him. He picked me for the Young Entrepreneur Award."
"But why you? It's not that I don't think you deserve it, honey, but I did some research on that award and every young person who's been picked in the past has a college degree from a prestigious school."
Having her question my award irritates me, but I try to pretend it doesn't.
"He's mixing things up this year. Trying something new. Not everyone has to go to college in order to have a successful business. You didn't."
"Yes, but this award was meant for—"
"He's paying for college."
"He's what?" Her brow furrows and she gets that wrinkle in her forehead that shows up whenever she's worried.
"Not four years. Just a class. He's paying for me to take a business class. He thinks it would help if I knew more about business. And I agree. So I'm taking an entrepreneurship class this fall at Moorhurst College."
"You got into Moorhurst?"
I roll my eyes. "Mom, seriously? I got into college before. I just didn't want to spend four years there. It wasn't because I'm not smart enough."
"Honey, I know. That's not what I meant. I just find it strange this man would pay for your education. He doesn't even know you."
"But he believes in me. He said I have potential."
She's quiet, then suddenly walks off. "I don't like this. He shouldn't be doing this." She starts pacing the floor. "He shouldn't be this involved in your life."
"He's not involved in my life. He's involved in the restaurant. That's it."
"And your education. And then what? Where does it end?"
"Mom, you're overreacting. Mr. Walcott is just trying to make sure the business does well. He's helping me out. He wants the restaurant to succeed as much as I do. And he wants me to succeed. There's nothing wrong with that."
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