“Show Mrs. Glassman in,” I say, pushing to stand.
“Yes, sir.” She nods before she turns to walk away, almost tripping over her own feet.
***
Forty minutes later, my assistant comes storming down the corridor toward my office with her hands full.
A cardboard beverage tray is in her left hand. In her right is a white paper bag with Palla on Fifth stamped across it. Under her right arm is a large box, and on that same shoulder is her oversized purse that she carts everywhere with her.
On top of that, she’s soaking wet, as is everything she’s carrying.
I desperately try not to crack a smile as I push back from my desk and stand.
Giggling under her breath, Millicent Glassman rises to her feet. “I swear she’s the most precious thing in the world. Just look at her.”
It’s impossible not to.
Arietta approaches us with a grin. “I’m back.”
The announcement is unnecessary, but I don’t point that out.
Placing the tray on the corner of my desk, she drops the paper bag next to it. “I got a warm tea for you, Mrs. Glassman. It’s just the way you like it.”
Millicent claps her hands together in delight. “Thank you, dear.”
“I also got this.” Arietta tugs on the cardboard box under her arm. It’s a puzzle of a zebra. “I saw it in a toy store window on my way back to the office. I thought your grandson would like it since he’s into zebras right now.”
How the hell does she know that?
“Arietta! It’s perfect! He’s going to love this!”
My assistant sighs. “Now, about the watch.”
Millicent’s smile vanishes. “Was there a problem?”
After fishing in her purse blindly, Arietta produces a watch box. “I have it.”
“I don’t understand,” Millicent says as she takes it in her hands. “Why is it in a box?”
Arietta sweeps a hand over her forehead to push back a few strands of wet hair that have fallen from her lopsided bun. “The owner of the store tried to tell me that the watch didn’t have a lifetime warranty.”
“They told me it did when I bought it.”
I saw the watch. It’s a hundred or perhaps a two hundred dollar piece. That’s a drop in the bucket to Millicent. She’s frugal, which is one of the reasons she’s amassed the fortune she has.
“They have a sign hanging in the store window which claims that every watch comes with a lifetime warranty.” Arietta drops her purse into one of the chairs that face my desk. “He pointed out the fine print at the bottom of the sign that states exceptions apply.”
Millicent’s back straightens. “Mine was one of the exceptions? You didn’t have to buy me a new one.”
Arietta smiles. “I didn’t.”
“Then how did you get this?” Millicent questions as she opens the watch box.
“I asked to see a list of exceptions,” Arietta says. “He couldn’t produce it, so I pointed out that under New York State Law, that warranties made orally are binding.”
I’m just as mesmerized as Millicent as I listen to Arietta state her case.
“He decided it was in his best interest to replace the watch. He included a new lifetime warranty in writing and free cleaning and battery changes when I told him I was going to contact New York State’s Division of Consumer Protection to lodge a complaint.”
Stunned speechless, I stare at Arietta.
Millicent launches herself at her. “Thank you! I can’t thank you enough.”
Arietta hugs her. “There’s no need to thank me. It was the right thing to do.”
My assistant has a habit of doing the right thing. That’s only one of the many ways we differ.
In my hand, the watch would have landed in the trash. Yet now, my client is happier than I’m ever seen her, and Arietta is the person responsible for that.
“I’m going to clean up.” Arietta runs a finger over her chin. “I’ll be back at my desk shortly, sir.”
She picks up her purse and heads out of my office. I stare at her back while Millicent once again sings her praises. “Hold onto this one, Dominick. I like her better than any of your other assistants.”
I’d never admit it out loud, but I’m beginning to as well.
Chapter 10
Arietta
Since I crawled out of bed before dawn, it’s no surprise that I was the first to get to the office today. I didn’t plan on it, but the nerves bouncing inside of me because of the anticipation of my date tonight kept me on the move.
I took Dudley for two morning walks before I cracked open Sinclair’s bedroom door to let him sneak inside. I could have put him in his kennel in the kitchen, but she likes to cuddle with him as much as I do.
I could still hear Sinclair typing on her laptop when I went to bed at midnight. I didn’t want to disturb her then or this morning as she slept. I know she’s on a tight deadline to get her most recent manuscript turned in.