Ask Me (Mess with Me 2)

“I know but you shouldn’t have to work so hard all the time. You deserve a break. Or at least to go back to the normal shift again.”

“But I don’t want to change shifts, baby girl. I’ve gotten used to this schedule and well, I have friends here.”

I grin. My mom almost sounds embarrassed. “Mom, do you have a boyfriend at work? Is it one of the other night nurses?”

“Now, I didn’t say anything like that. I just enjoy my work, that’s all. They need me here at night. Another nurse might not understand why Mr. Jansen likes his dinner plate arranged a certain way or why Mrs. Hodges wears pink bunny slippers to bed.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it, Mom. I just want to make sure you’re not running yourself into the ground.”

“Casey, stop worrying about me so much. Worrying is supposed to be my job. Well, I should probably get back to work now. Keep up the good work, sweetie. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” I toss my cell phone in the middle of my bed. Growing up my mom worked such odd hours and sometimes multiple jobs to make ends meet. I’m going to send her money whether she wants it or not but it’s nice to know her latest job is making her happy at least.

I flop down on my bed and pull the client folder from my bag. Tomorrow is a big day and considering what a jerk this client is supposed to be, I want to be prepared. Not that I think I’ll learn anything Mya doesn’t already know but at least I won’t ask any stupid questions. I prop the folder open in my lap and start reading.

My eyes drift closed before I finish the first page.

8

* * *

I push through the revolving door and into the lobby of the Madison building. Jason is already in the waiting area talking on his phone. Philippe should have been here already, too. I glance at my watch and then scowl at the time.

This is our third meeting with our marketing agency in the last month and I have no confidence this one will go any better than the last two.

Not that I can voice that opinion. Apparently I’ve been difficult to work with lately so anything I say will be taken negatively.

Kate rushes into the lobby looking harried. “Mr. Lavin! You’re here early.” She gives Jason a hard look before pulling out her phone.

I don’t respond, unsure why being early requires a warning.

Jason shrugs. “I was trying to call you. Our last meeting ended early. Hopefully James can accommodate us.”

“Of course! I’m sure it’s fine.” Her voice is upbeat but her fingers fly over the screen of her phone frantically.

Who could she be texting right now when we have a meeting to attend?

Jason leans over. “She’s probably warning everyone upstairs that the dragon has left his lair.” He chuckles when Kate glares at him.

I hit the button for the elevator. The past month has been a test of my patience in every way. Although I originally planned to stay in the States during this brand transition, last week I made the decision to go back to Milan for the duration. Why stay in a concrete prison enduring rain and questionable air quality when I could be at home, enjoying the exceptional weather and exquisite food?

“I’m ready to get this meeting done. We have a schedule to keep,” I grumble, already irritated. We’re flying back to Italy in just a few hours and another pointless meeting is not how I want to spend my time before getting on a plane.

Jason clears his throat before glancing at me. “So, before we attend this meeting maybe we should nail down what we hope to accomplish today. The last couple of meetings have been a little chaotic.”

“Meaning that I’ve hated everything they’ve come up with.” I adjust my tie slightly in the mirror image on the elevator doors.

He shifts next to me. “Meaning that you’ve made up your mind to hate everything because you’ve been in a shitty mood for what feels like six months straight.”

My hand pauses on my tie.

After Jason broke the news that the investigators couldn’t find Casey, I thought I’d come to terms with it. But even after I called off the official investigation, she was never far from my thoughts. I couldn’t stop thinking about her at the most random moments and my lack of focus did not go unnoticed.

So I threw myself into my work with a vengeance, staying later at the office and coming in earlier. Maybe I was subconsciously punishing myself for allowing the most captivating woman I’ve ever met to slip through my fingers or maybe I truly thought that work could help me forget. But that time Philippe was the one given the task of telling me that several of my staff members were on the verge of quitting.

Now I’ve reached a point where I have to accept that this isn’t something I can fix. No amount of hard work or dedication will right this situation.

“You’re right. I haven’t been myself.”