“Oh. I don’t know.”
“Mr. Black says you can have whatever you want.” She smiles. “I can whip up some pancakes or waffles. I even have fresh blueberries. Bacon, eggs, toast. You name it.”
“How about some coffee?”
“You got it. Black, right?”
“Right.”
She sets a steaming mug of black coffee in front of me, and I take a seat at the island.
“I guess maybe just some scrambled eggs and a piece of toast.”
“Are you sure? These blueberries will make some great pancakes.”
“I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”
“It’s honestly no trouble, Ms. Manning.”
“Skye, please.”
“Okay, Skye.” She smiles.
And I decide I like Marilyn. I wasn’t so sure at first. But apparently, she’s not after Braden and he’s not after her.
“Seriously, just the eggs and toast.” I smile.
“Coming right up.”
Christopher walks in then. “Any coffee left, Marilyn?”
“Sure. I’ll get you a cup.”
“Morning, Ms. Manning,” he says.
“Skye,” I say adamantly.
“Right, Skye.” He smiles. “Will you be needing a ride home?”
“Yes, please. But not until after breakfast.”
“Can I make you anything, Christopher?” Marilyn asks.
“Actually, whatever you’re making right now smells great.”
“Scrambled eggs and toast for Skye. It’s no problem to add a few more.” She takes two more eggs out of the carton.
“That’ll be great.” Christopher sits next to me at the island. “We can leave after breakfast.”
I take a sip of coffee. “Sounds perfect. What time did Braden leave this morning?”
“Early. I took him to the airport.”
I try to hide my surprise. “He said he had an early meeting.”
“He does. In L.A.”
Again, I mask my surprise. Why didn’t he say anything? I can ask Christopher, but then it will be clear that Braden didn’t tell me where he was going, and for some reason, I don’t want Christopher or Marilyn to know I’m not privy to Braden’s whereabouts.
“Oh,” I say.
“He comes back this afternoon. He actually flew commercial this time. The jet has some scheduled maintenance.”
I nod, taking another sip of my coffee. Braden didn’t say anything about tonight anyway. Will I be seeing him? I have no idea.
Braden is my boyfriend—the man I love and who loves me and who left me a beautiful gift this morning—yet these two people know more about him than I do. More about his schedule, anyway.
“I’ll give him a call later.” I take a bite of eggs from the plate that Marilyn has set in front of me.
Christopher smiles, picks up a piece of toast, and takes a bite.
I clean my plate for show, but the eggs and toast that smelled so good while they were cooking taste like sawdust. Even the gorgeous ruby studs feel heavy on my ears.
“Thank you so much, Marilyn.” I touch my napkin to my lips and stand. “I’m ready to go, Christopher.”
…
Though I’m still irked that I didn’t know Braden was going to L.A., once I’m back at my apartment, I can’t wipe the smile from my face. Yeah, I’m pretty pleased with myself. I beat Braden at his own game. I know one thing, though.
The next game will be more difficult.
Why are we playing games, anyway? We’re supposed to be in love. But I can’t deny the enjoyment I feel now. Maybe this game is a part of that. And I won. I passed his test.
I grab my phone to thank him for the earrings, but I get his voicemail.
You’ve reached Braden Black. Please leave a message, and I’ll return your call as soon as possible.
“Hi, Braden,” I say into the phone, still unable to wipe the smile away from my lips. “It’s me. Thank you so much for the ruby earrings. I love them. In fact, I’m wearing them right now. They’re perfect. Call me. I love you.”
I fire up my computer. A few new emails since I last checked my phone. One from Eugenie at Susanne Cosmetics.
Skye, hello!
Are you available to fly to New York first thing next week? Say the word, and I’ll send you a first-class ticket. The social media marketing department is very excited about meeting you in person and discussing what we all believe will be a beneficial partnership.
Best, Eugenie
Braden rarely makes plans with me a day, let alone a week, in advance. The one exception was the Opera Guild Gala. But…he’s my boyfriend. We’re together. Should I check with him before I accept Eugenie’s invitation?
On the other hand, this is work. This is my living now, and he didn’t check with me before flying to L.A. this morning.
I quickly type a response to Eugenie accepting the invitation. The e-ticket arrives in my inbox a few minutes later.
I can’t help but smile. I’m taking pictures. Granted, most of them are selfies of me wearing lip stain, but at least I’m taking pictures and getting paid for them. I’m doing what I love, and I also have time to snap the kind of photos I truly enjoy, since I’m no longer bound to a day job.