Me: I needed to be alone and away from…memories. I’m headed back home today. I’ve decided to sell the house.
Jake: Damn, Harmony. I’m here for you, sweetheart. Just let me know what you need.
Me: Maybe you could help with packing up and sorting through…things.
Jake: Just let me know when and I’m there.
Me: Thanks, Jake. I need to run. Love you.
Jake: Love you, too, Harmony.
Smiling, I pushed my phone back into my pocket. Sometimes I wondered how I lucked out with Jake. He was by far more than just my brother. He was my best friend. I talked to him about everything.
Pulling the door open, I walked into the modern glass building. My heart pounded in my chest as I made my way to the elevator. The security guard, Tom, tipped his hat and gave me a sweet smile.
“Harmony, how are you, darling?”
Nodding, I decided to stop acting like everything was okay and just be honest with how I felt. “I’m hanging in there day to day, Tom.”
“That’s my girl.”
Stepping into the elevator, I turned and smiled at Tom. As the doors shut, I closed my eyes and prayed for strength. With how busy we both were, I hadn’t been by Trey’s office in over six months before he died. The last time I was here, I showed up in nothing but a sexy teddy, trying desperately to rekindle some sort of spark between us. Smiling, the memory of Trey screwing me against the wall that he shared with his father flooded my mind. It had been the last time we had really been together when it hadn’t seemed forced.
During the last four months of Trey’s life, he had pulled away more and more. Our sex life was almost nonexistent. The hugs stopped, followed by his kisses.
Shaking the memories out of my head, I took in a deep breath and concentrated on slowing my heartbeat down.
The elevator door opened as I squeezed my fists into balls and reached deep down inside for the strength to get through this. I had already decided I would just tell Dan to pack everything up and donate it. The last thing I needed was more items of Trey’s for me to go through when I sold the house.
Walking past Kim, the main receptionist, she smiled kindly. “I’ll let Dan know you’re here, Harmony.”
Nodding, for fear my voice would crack if I tried to talk, I kept walking toward Trey’s office.
When I walked up, I was stunned to see who sat outside his office.
“Harmony, w-what are you doing here?”
My mouth opened slightly at the sight of Margie sit`ting at the desk.
“I…um…came to go through Trey’s personal effects.”
Looking away, Margie nodded. “I haven’t let anyone but Dan into the office. Per Dan’s request.”
“Dan?” I asked, shocked that she would refer to the CEO of the company on a first-name basis.
“Mr. Banks, excuse me.”
Raising an eyebrow, my eyes traveled over Margie. “How long have you worked here, Margie?”
Attempting to give me a smile, it came across fake as hell. “A little over six months.”
My stomach fell and I felt sick. “As Trey’s receptionist?”
Smiling bigger, she nodded. “Not at first, but yes, most of the time as his receptionist.”
That’s when it hit me and I remembered where I had seen Margie before.
“Margie McDaniels,” Trey said as he pointed to the cheerleader out on the football field.