Trouble

“So a gala? Just like that, out of nowhere? You hate big events. What’s behind all this?”

“Link Sherlock.” I place the photo down and we step out onto the red-brick front porch. It’s expansive and catches the breeze nicely, and Daisy has wicker chairs and rockers at various intervals.

“The YouTuber? He’s hilarious!” Her blue eyes crinkle and she mimics the voice of his intro line. “‘Finding treasures wherever they may hide…’ I love him.”

“Miles is very threatened by him. Thinks he’s going to steal all our clients.”

“Why don’t you join forces with him?”

“I can’t think of anything worse. I prefer my idea.”

“Which was?”

“Ignore him.”

“You can’t ignore the future.” She shakes her head, and I remember a time when she and I were the future in this business.

“Speaking of, what happened to that ambitious young woman who dreamed of traveling and taking over the southeast region?”

She takes my arm as we descend the stairs. “She grew up to be happier than she ever dreamed possible.”

One look in Daisy’s eyes, and I know she’s telling the truth. “Well, good for her.”

“You could always tell Miles no. He’s not your boss anymore.”

> “He doesn’t have a lot of excitement in his life. I’ll let him have his fun if it saves me a trip.”

“Good thing, because we’ve spent the last two weeks busting our asses. We might set a record on fastest gala assembly in recorded history.”

“Always the over-achiever.”

She snorts, shaking her blonde head. “I’m actually looking forward to it. I haven’t been to a big party since I got married.”

“There you go.”

She rises on tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “You’re an old softie, but don’t worry, I won’t tell anybody. Now get to the hotel. I reserved the executive suite with a view of the water for you. It’s coastal chic, not a quilt or a doily in sight.”

“I remember it from your wedding. The northeastern crew will adore it. They’ll think they’re in the Hamptons.”

“We’ll take them all to the Tuna Tiki to remind them where they really are.”

I start to recoil at the low-rent tiki bar on the beach, but I remember one positive. “They have very good sushi.”

“Thank you!” Daisy slaps my arm. “One of these days, you’re going to stop being such an old fuddy-duddy.”

“If you’re implying I don’t know how to have fun, you know that’s wrong. I don’t care for places where I’ll be vomited on or have draft beer spilled down my back.”

“I told you not to wear your best blazer.”

“I don’t own cheap clothes.” We’re standing beside my black Tesla parked on the street.

“We’ll have to find you some play clothes, Captain Von Trapp. I think I have an old pair of drapes—”

“I’ll see you in the ballroom in the morning. In appropriate work attire.”

“Thanks for agreeing to help out. I know it’s not your thing.”

“I don’t mind.”