“It’ll take some time to recover. I’m guessing they’ll start the chemo as soon as possible.”
Just then, heavy coughing overcame him, continuing for twenty seconds or more before he gained control again.
Her eyes squeezed into narrow slits, like slivers of black onyx. “I’m telling you, as your good buddy… I think you’re getting sick. I’ve seen it before, you know.”
“That’s my normal morning cough. I feel great, and I can prove it.” He bent his arm, pointing his fingers to the bicep that bulged through his shirt. “Want to feel?”
Her hands went to her hips. “Is this the way men deal with problems? You make a joke and pretend nothing is wrong?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you worry too much?”
She shot back, “None that lived to tell about it.”
“You remind me of my mum, right now.”
She pressed her lips together, as if she were holding back a sharp retort. “You’re right. You’re a grown man. I won’t say any more about it.”
He gave her his best impish grin.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s hard to take you seriously with all that mascara smeared around your eyes.”
Laurie groaned and stomped off to the bathroom. When the door closed behind her, Finn let his body sag. Feeling weaker by the minute, he knew he was coming down with some sort of infection.
Though Laurie had guessed correctly, he didn’t want her to find out. His personal assistant covered every home or hospital stay with an appropriate story to explain his absence. Branson and Cole could know the truth, but no one else. Especially Laurie Fields.
Chapter 9
I can’t believe it!” When the memo came in right before lunch, Laurie had marched up to Finn’s office to confront him, but his PA informed her he was already gone. “Where did he go?”
“I’m not allowed to give the details, Ms. Fields. We must respect his privacy.”
“He couldn’t have taken the time to tell me himself?”
“Ms. Fields…” Frederick’s condescending expression pressed on her last nerve. “This opportunity arose suddenly—he called it ‘the chance of a lifetime.’ He couldn’t waste time running all over the building to tell everyone he was leaving. You should feel honored that he sent a personal note.”
“I got a memo on my computer. You call that a personal note?”
“As opposed to a group email, yes, I do.” He crossed his arms, drumming his fingers on his starched white shirt.
“He shouldn’t be going anywhere, least of all on some exotic vacation. He’s on the verge of getting sick already. Didn’t you notice how pale he looked? How much he was coughing?”
“I would never presume to give Mr. Anderson advice concerning his health, Ms. Fields.”
He may be right, but he’s still a presumptuous turd.
“What am I supposed to do about the LA Fundraiser? First Mr. Alvarez. Now Mr. Anderson. I’m beginning to think they want me to fail at this job.”
“I believe Mr. Miller or Mr. Knight will be stepping in to provide assistance.” He lifted his chin and looked down his nose. “Mr. Anderson also suggested he might call you each day in case he could help out from wherever he is, via phone or email.”
Frederick’s glare told her he disapproved of the plan, but Laurie assumed Finn was doing it to assuage his guilt. She imagined him, wearing sunglasses as he lounged in a hammock on the beach. He spoke into his cell phone between sips from his fancy drink with a pineapple flag. “Can you talk a little louder, Laurie? I can’t hear you over the sound of the ocean waves crashing on the beach.”
Still fuming, she returned to her office and called Stephanie to unload all the frustrations of her morning. Steph answered on the first ring.
“Laur
ie, I’m so glad you called. I just got off the phone with Branson, so I heard all about Finn. I’m sure you’re freaking out.”