A Bargain with the Boss

As she set her clutch purse down on a glass-topped table and slipped off her shoes, her phone chimed. Curious as to who would text her at such a late hour, she checked the screen.

She was surprised to see it was her sister.

Jade lived on the West Coast and only contacted Amber if she needed money or was having an emotional crisis. It was uncharitable, and maybe unfair, but Amber’s first thought was that Jade might be in jail.

“Are you thirsty?” Tuck asked, crossing to the bar.

Amber sat down on a peach-colored sofa. It was arranged in a grouping with two cream-colored armchairs in front of a marble fireplace.

“Some water would be nice,” said Amber, opening the text message.

“Water? That’s it?”

“I’d take some fruit juice.”

I just hit town, Jade’s text said.

“You’re a wild woman,” said Tuck.

“I’m keeping my wits about me.”

Which town? Amber answered her sister.

“In case I make a pass at you?” asked Tuck.

“You swore you wouldn’t.”

“I don’t recall signing anything.”

Chicago.

What’s wrong? Amber typed to her sister.

Nothing all good. Well, dumped boyfriend. Jerk anyway.

“Amber?” Tuck prompted.

“Hmm?”

“I said I didn’t sign anything.”

She glanced up. “Anything for what?”

He nodded to her phone. “Who’s that?”

“My sister.”

“You checked out there. I thought it might be your boyfriend.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend.” She absently wondered what she’d ever said or done to make Tuck believe she had a boyfriend.

I’m in New York City, Amber typed to Jade.

“Good,” said Tuck in a soft tone.

A shimmer tightened her chest.

I was hoping to crash with you for a couple of days, Jade responded.

Amber’s fingers froze and she stared at the screen.

“What does she say?” asked Tuck, moving closer.

“She wants to stay with me.”

“Is that bad?”

“She’s not particularly...trustworthy.”

Jade was constantly in and out of low-paying jobs, and in and out of bad relationships. The last time she’d stayed with Amber her sister had prompted a noise complaint from a neighbor, drunk all of Amber’s wine and left abruptly without a goodbye, taking two pairs of Amber’s jeans and several of her blouses along for good measure.

I’ll call you when I get back, Amber typed.

“Oh?” Tuck took a seat on the other end of the sofa.

Thing is, Jade returned, I kind of need a place now, tonight.

Amber swore under her breath. It was coming up on midnight in Chicago, and her little sister had nowhere to go. She didn’t delude herself that Jade would have money for a hotel.

“What is it?” asked Tuck.

“She needs a place now.”

“Right now?” He glanced at his watch.

“I’m guessing she just got in from LA.” Amber wouldn’t be surprised if Jade had hitchhiked.

Hotel? Amber wrote.

Can’t afford it. Jerk took all the money.

Of course the jerk boyfriend took Jade’s money. They always did.

“I take it cash flow is an issue,” said Tuck.

“That’s a polite way to put it.”

“Send her to the nearest Aquamarine location.”

Amber raised her brow in Tuck’s direction. The Aquamarine was a quality, four-star hotel chain.

“Tucker Transportation has a corporate account,” said Tuck.

“I know Tucker Transportation has a corporate account.”

“You can tell her to use it.”

“I can’t misuse the company account for my sister.”

“You can’t,” he agreed. “But I can.”

“I won’t—”

“I need your attention,” said Tuck. “I need you off your cell phone and I need you not worrying about your sister. The way I see it, this is the cheapest way forward.”

“That’s a stretch.”

Tuck’s tone turned serious. “Tell her. Let me make that an order.”

Amber wanted to argue. But then she didn’t particularly want to send Jade to her town house, nor did she want to rouse a neighbor at this hour to give her a key.

“I know you respect orders,” said Tuck. “You are the consummate professional.”