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“I’m getting some water. Since when is that a crime?”
She retrieves a glass from the cupboard and fills it with water from the refrigerator dispenser.
With a contemptuous look, she bids us goodnight.
I have to get her out of my life.
Even if it kills me.
THIRTY-ONE
NED
The next few days are equally stressful.
Businesswise, things are shaky. Gabe informed me that due to the writers’ strike, now a month in, our revenue has fallen off significantly. Though we fortunately have other revenue streams from influencers, musicians, and gamers, production is still our bread and butter, and it’s virtually shut down. If the strike continues and SAG-AFTRA actors join in, we may have to lay off staff and cut salaries. And with no end to the strike in sight, undercapitalized IMAGE may not survive. I invested a substantial portion of my trust fund into the company, but there’s not enough left to keep it afloat.
Thank my lucky stars, the one thing that’s going well is the deal with the Japanese investors, who don’t seem to care about striking writers and actors. According to Gabe, there are only a few i’s to dot and t’s to cross, and it will be done. IMAGE will have a minority partner and a much-needed infusion of one hundred million dollars. I can already taste nigiri sushi in my mouth and premium sake on my lips. Fingers crossed the deal will close by Friday night when IMAGE will be crowned Agency of the Year.
A celebration. A win-win for everyone.
On the home front, things are more or less the same. With Ava’s volatile, suspicious mother and the business deal on the line, I force myself to stay away from Nurse Marley. The temptation is too great, the risk greater. I work long hours and go out after work with Gabe to discuss the Japanese deal and the agency’s future. It’s all business, and he asks nothing about Ava and the baby.
According to Gabe, the Japanese investors are excited about the gala on Friday, and are eager to meet my wife, Ava. To keep things moving ahead, I’ve told them she’ll be there. I’ve also told Ava this and she agreed to come, but at the end of the week, the night of the gala, I come home early to find her tucked in bed.
“Sweetheart, why aren’t you getting ready? We have to be at the Beverly Hilton in an hour.”
Her eyes heavy-lidded, she meets my gaze. “Honey, I can’t. I don’t feel good…it’s almost like I’ve been drugged. I don’t know if I’ve contracted a bug or my PGP is acting up again.”
“Seriously?”
“Plus, I have nothing to wear. Nothing fits me with my baby weight.”
“Why couldn’t you have told me this earlier? Your not being there could jeopardize the deal.” Despite Gabe’s optimism, it still hasn’t closed.
Holding Isa in some kind of harness, Nurse Marley breezes into the room before I begin to rant. Her megawatt smile lights up every atom of my being. Despite avoiding her, my attraction has not diminished. It’s gotten more intense. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, Maman always preached.
“Why, hello, Ned. You’re home early.” She moves closer to me. “Would you like to hold Isa?”
“I’d love to but don’t have time. I need to get ready for an important event. Why don’t you give her to my wife?”
Marley frowns. “I’m afraid poor Ava is in no condition to hold your child.”
Ava gives a small grateful smile, then looks my way. “Ned, I have an idea.”
“What?” I fire the word at her. It had better be good.
“Honey, why don’t you take Nurse Marley with you?” Her gaze stays on me. “I think she could charm your investors and make them understand why I couldn’t attend.”
I weigh this idea in my head. A mixture of excitement and worry courses through me. As much as I would love to take Marley, I worry her presence will raise eyebrows. Many of the attendees went to my wedding and know what Ava looks like. What will they think if they see me with another woman…a beautiful one? More importantly, what will the investors think? Will I be able to abstain from alcohol and hide my attraction to our nanny?
I pick at some lint on my suit while Marley’s eyes ping-pong between me and Ava. Her expression is hard to read.
A few anxious breaths later, she shakes her head. “Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I need to stay here with the baby, especially with Ava not feeling well.”
“Marley, my mother will be here,” my bedridden wife says as disappointment fizzes through me. “I’m sure everything will be alright. It’s just for a few hours.”
A brief silence ensues.
