Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Mom worked for me at GS Architecture. She had been our office manager for the past five years. I told her she should enjoy retirement since she’d been working her whole life. I also told her that she’d never again have to worry about money, seeing how lucky I’d been with my business. The amount of success I’d found over the years was remarkable, and I knew I wouldn’t have had said success without my mom standing in my corner through some of the darkest periods of my life.
If I was successful, she was successful. Easy as that.
Still, she was a hard worker. She wasn’t one to take a handout, so when she said she still wanted to work, it seemed only right to create a position in my office for her. Office manager seemed fitting since how Mom was a professional at managing all things—including me.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about,” I said as I laid out my paperwork to dry. Luckily, none of my blueprints had been out for Ramona to ruin.
Mom shook her head. “You cannot think I’m that naive. I know you and Ramona hooked up.”
“How would you know that?”
“Because Ramona has a terrible time hiding her emotions. I might be old, but I can still put two and two together.” She took a seat across from my desk. “How was the event last night?”
“Interesting, to say the least. Henry Hughes is just what you would imagine him to be.”
“Somewhat of a show-off?” she asked.
“Exactly. Everything’s an event to him.” I pulled out my phone. “He had us take photographs in front of the plot where we’re building. He said it was a good way to manifest his ideal property. Then, he told me a story about how he’d once seen a polar bear while hiking in Alaska.” I turned my phone to show Mom the pictures. The moment she saw them, the small smile on her face faded.
“Who’s that beside him?” she asked. “She looks familiar, but I can’t quite place it.”
“I thought the same thing. It’s his wife, Kierra. It turns out she frequents Florence Bakery. I bet you’ve crossed her path there, too.”
She sat back, still staring at the photograph as if she’d just witnessed a ghost. Then she gave herself a slight shake. “Maybe that’s it.” She handed the phone back to me and smiled once more. “Henry Hughes always seemed like the type to lie about seeing polar bears. Everyone in my book club has at least one of his gadgets in their houses, too. They talk about him as if he’s some kind of saint. When I told them you were designing his home and you’d be going to one of his parties, they all gasped as if they’d fallen into an orgasmic state.”
“The idea of your friends falling into an orgasmic state is something I didn’t need to picture.”
“We’re old but still human, Gabriel. We still love a good o—”
“Mom,” I urged. “Please don’t. It makes me wonder what kind of books you’re reading in said book club.”
“The ones that always end with happy endings. No cliff-hangers at all. All pleasure, no edging.”
For fuck’s sake, did my mother just use the word edging?
Was I somehow still sleeping and stuck in an awful nightmare?
“Okay, Mom. That’s enough.”
She leaned in toward me and whispered, “I’m talking about erotic books, Gabriel. With happily ever afters, of course. I like my smut with cuddles, if you know what I mean.”
“I need us to never have this conversation again, please.”
She laughed. “How much more work do you have? Do you want to grab an early dinner with me? I’m all done here and thought a nice dinner out might be wonderful.” She always invited me to dinner after she finished work. I always declined.
“I’m actually planning to work late,” I said, walking to sit back in my chair.
“Work, work, work.” She shook her head as she stood. “One day, Gabriel, you’ll join me for dinner. And one day, you’ll have to actually live life instead of living work.”
“My work is my life.”
“I know.” She frowned as she walked around toward me and kissed my forehead. “That’s why I worry. Have a good night. And don’t stay here too long. There’s more outside to see than there is in here. Maybe you could get on one of those dating apps that those youngsters are talking about. Find yourself a nice girl of your own.”
“Mom.”
She tossed her hands up in defeat. “I’m just saying. It wouldn’t hurt for me to have a daughter-in-law someday. One who doesn’t work in our office.”
I smirked. “Lesson learned. Don’t screw at work.”
“Good boy.” Mom started for the door and turned around for a moment. “Gabriel?”
“Yes?”
“You mentioned what you thought of Henry Hughes, but what did you think of his wife when you met her? Other than her seeming familiar.”