The Stars of Mithra: Hidden Star

“Work tonight. You have to go somewhere with Pamela.”

“I do? Hell—” He pressed his fingers to his eyes as he remembered.

“I’m sorry, I forgot to mention it. Your mother called. I was in here, so I heard the message. She’s upset that you haven’t returned her calls, or contacted Pamela about the arrangements for tonight. She’s going to be at Dodie’s until four. You can call her there. Also, Muffy’s very annoyed with you. She called shortly after your mother and she’s very unhappy that you missed Camilla’s piano recital. She isn’t speaking to you until you apologize.”

“I should be so lucky,” he muttered, and dropped his hands. “That’s a pretty good rundown. Want a job?” When she only smiled, he shook his head and rode on inspiration. “No, I’m serious. You’re a hell of a lot more organized than my late, unlamented secretary. I could use some help around the office, and you could use the busywork.”

“I don’t even know if I can type.”

“I know I can’t, so you’re already a step ahead. You can answer a phone, can’t you?”

“Of course, but—”

“You’d be doing me a big favor.” Calculating her weaknesses, he pressed his advantage. It was the perfect way to keep her close, keep her busy. “I’d rather not take the time to start advertising and interviewing secretaries right now. If you could help me out, a few hours a day, I’d really appreciate it.”

She thought of his office, decided it didn’t need a secretary so much as a bulldozer. Well, perhaps she could be of some use after all. “I’d be glad to help.”

“Great. Good. Look, I picked up a few things for you while I was out.”

“Things?”

“Clothes and stuff.”

She stared as he rose and began to clear the plates. “You bought me clothes?”

“Nothing fancy. I had to guess at the sizes, but I’ve got a pretty good eye.” He caught her worrying her lip again and nearly sighed. “Just a few basics, Bailey. As cute as you look in my clothes, you need your own, and you can’t wear one suit day after day.”

“No, I suppose I can’t,” she murmured, touched that he should have thought of it. “Thank you.”

“No problem. It’s stopped raining. You know what you could use? A little fresh air. Let’s take a walk, clear your head.”

“I don’t have any shoes.” She took the plates he’d put on the counter and loaded them into the dishwasher.

“I got you some sneakers. Six and a half?”

With a half laugh, she rewrapped the ham. “You tell me.”

“Let’s try them on and see.”

She slid the tray into the dishwasher, closed the door. “Cade, you really have to call your mother.”

His grin flashed. “Uh-uh.”

“I told you she’s upset with you.”

“She’s always upset with me. I’m the black sheep.”

“Be that as it may.” Bailey dampened a dish-rag and methodically wiped the counters. “She’s your mother, and she’s waiting for your call.”

“No, she’s waiting so she can browbeat me into doing something I don’t want to do. And when I don’t do it, she’ll call Muffy, my evil sister, and they’ll have a grand old time ripping apart my character.”

“That’s no way to speak about your family—and you’ve hurt Camilla’s feelings. I assume she’s your niece.”

“There are rumors.”

“Your sister’s child.”

“No, Muffy doesn’t have children, she has creatures. And Camilla is a whiny, pudgy-faced mutant.”

She refused to smile, rinsed out the cloth, hung it neatly over the sink. “That’s a deplorable way to speak about your niece. Even if you don’t like children.”

“I do like children.” Enjoying himself now, he leaned on the counter and watched her tidy up. “I’m telling you, Camilla’s not human. Now my other sister, Doro, she’s got two, and somehow the youngest escaped the Parris curse. He’s a great kid, likes baseball and bugs. Doro believes he needs therapy.”

The chuckle escaped before she swallowed it. “You’re making that up.”

“Sweetheart, believe me, nothing I could invent about the Parris clan would come close to the horrible truth. They’re selfish, self-important and self-indulgent. Are you going to mop the floor now?”

She managed to close her mouth, which had gaped at his careless condemnation of his own family. Distracted, she glanced down at the glossy ivory tiles. “Oh, all right. Where—”

“Bailey, I’m kidding.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her out of the room just as the phone began to ring. “No,” he said, before she could open her mouth. “I’m not answering it.”

“That’s shameful.”

“It’s self-preservation. I never agreed to this Pamela connection, and I’m not going to be pressured into it.”

“Cade, I don’t want you to upset your family and break a date on my account. I’ll be fine.”

“I said I didn’t make the date. My mother did. And now, when I have to face the music, I can use you as an excuse. I’m grateful. So grateful I’m going to knock a full day off your fee. Here.” He picked up one of the shopping bags he’d dropped by the front door and pulled out a shoe box. “Your glass slippers. If they fit, you get to go to the ball.”

Giving up, she sat on the bottom landing and opened the box. Her brow cocked. “Red sneakers?”

“I liked them. They’re sexy.”

“Sexy sneakers.” And she wondered as she undid the laces how she could be in such an enormous mess and find herself delighted over a silly pair of shoes. They slid on like butter, and for some reason made her want to laugh and weep at the same time. “Perfect fit.”

“Told you I had a good eye.” He smiled when she evened out the laces precisely, tied them into careful and neat bows. “I was right, very sexy.” He reached down to draw her to her feet. “In fact, you make quite a package right now.”

“I’m sure I do, when the only thing that fits are my shoes.” She started to rise to her toes to kiss his cheek, then quickly changed her mind.

“Chicken,” he said.

“Maybe.” She held out her hand instead. “I’d really love to take a walk.” She stepped through the door he opened, glanced up at him. “So is Pamela pretty?”

He considered, decided the straight truth might be to his advantage. “Gorgeous.” He closed the door behind them, slipped an arm around Bailey’s waist. “And she wants me.”

The cool little hum of Bailey’s response brought a satisfied smile to his lips.

Chapter 4