Page 2 of Beyond Perfect

She shook her head. “Let’s get back to this.”

They were in the middle of picking a topic when Jackson’s assistant, Harry Carson, came to the door. “Hi, Maisy. Annie. Jackson would like to see you as soon as you’re free, Maisy.”

“I’m free after school, Harry. Tell him I’ll come over then.”

When he left, Annie frowned. “You can go now. We can finish this later.”

“Makehimwait this time.” She caught sight of the chain around Annie’s neck. “You’re probably right to keep Diego’s ring on a chain under your shirt. Seth would have seen it.”

“I’m going to be circumspect for a bit.” She rolled her eyes. “Though Diego wants to elope yesterday!”

“You couldn’t do that to your family.”

“He understands. His clan would be upset too. We’re planning to set a date today.”

“Good for you.”

“What are you going to say to Jackson?”

“I’ll let him talk.”

“Maisy, you—”

She held up her hand. “No, no more discussion about him. I’ve wasted enough time on Jackson Kane.”

* * *

Jackson Kane’s assistant walked to the door of his office. “Hey, did you set something up with Maisy for today?”

“You said asap but she said she’ll come over after school.”

Because she’s mad at me. “Fine. Send her in when she comes, then go on home to your wife and kids.”

He checked his watch. “One of my kids is sick.”

“Anything serious?”

“An ear infection. She’s on medication but Jodi needs a break.”

“Then leave now. I can get along without you for the rest of today.”

The man frowned. “I could, but I’m taking tomorrow off so she can go to work.”

“Pathways has a very liberal policy on sick days.” Which meant they were unlimited.

“You know what? I will go. Thanks Jackson.”

Jackson watched him exit the door. For a few brief minutes, he wondered what it would be like to have a wife and children. But that wasn’t in the cards for him.

He busied himself the rest of the day. One of his schools downstate was having problems that he had to solve. He talked to several people on the phone, ordered lunch in, then at three, there was a knock on the ajar door. He looked up. Maisy Shepherd.

One of the nicest women he’d ever met.

“Mr. Kane, you wanted to see me?”

“Yes. Please, sit down.”

She sat. Today she wore white cropped pants and a navy blue and white striped jersey shirt. Her hair was tamed back in a clip. “Thanks for coming. I want to apologize for taking off like I did a week ago.”