Page 83 of Buttons

Not that I’m judging.

“Thank you,” Beatrix tells the inspector, taking the certificate before I can shift Balthazar to free a hand. Her voice carries itsusual gruffness, but I catch the slight tremor of relief beneath it. “We appreciate your thoroughness.”

The inspector nods, tucking his clipboard under his arm. “The facility is impressive. Just keep that one”—he gestures toward Balthazar—“properly contained during operating hours.”

“We will,” I assure him, fingers automatically finding the spot behind Balthazar’s ears that soothes him. The cat’s rumble deepens but doesn’t escalate to a growl. Progress.

As the inspector heads to the door, Sarah gives a small cheer that triggers a ripple of relieved laughter. Leo rushes forward, his face transformed by a smile that makes my chest tighten with unfamiliar emotion.

“Dad! You did it! Balthazar actually let you pick him up!”

“Wedid it,” I correct him. “Your advice about approaching him helped.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket, its professional intrusion at odds with the fur tickling my chin and the small hand now tugging at my sleeve. I check the screen. Virginia is calling, exactly as expected. The boardroom world reclaiming its territory.

“I need to take this,” I tell Leo. “Can you let Beatrix know I’ll be right back?”

He nods, immediately accepting the responsibility. I head toward the entrance, Balthazar still cradled against me. The already dwindling late afternoon light streams through the glass doors, warm and golden against my face as I step outside. I answer the phone one-handed, Balthazar adjusting his position but not struggling to escape.

“Virginia, what can I do for you?”

Note to self: incorporate a new work/life balance policy.

“Hello, Julian. Sorry to disturb you, but I’m a bit confused. My understanding is that you and Mr. Thompson haven’t come to any sort of agreement, correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“Okay, so you two haven’t called one another since you left the office? He emailed me the contract a few minutes ago, and implied that you two will most definitely be working together after all. Told me to schedule a three-hour block in your schedule next week for finalization.”

“Hmm,” I hum. “That’s incorrect.”

“Weird. So, to be clear, I should not be blocking a meeting in your schedule for Mr. Thompson?”

“Nope, definitely don’t. There must be a misunderstanding somewhere. Perhaps his email came delayed, and he assumed the deal would go through.”

“Not very smart of him to assume.”

“Agreed. Thank you, Virginia.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

We’re about to hang up when I get a sense of gratitude for her work. Since I’ve taken the time to properly train her, she’s grown incredibly well in her position.

“And nice work today, Virginia. I appreciate you double-checking.”

As I end the call, I hear the crunch of tires on gravel. A familiar Honda pulls into the parking space nearest the door. It’s Elowen’s car. My pulse quickens as she emerges, her movements hurried and concerned.

“Hey!” she says, eyeing the cat in my arms. “Didn’t expect you here today. How’d your meeting go?”

“It would seem Robert and I have a fundamental disagreement regarding priorities,” I explain, keeping my voice casual.

Before she can press me, the rear door of her Honda flies open. Meredith scrambles out, her small face alight with a frantic, joyous purpose. In her arms, she’s holding Balthazar’s look-a-like stuffie, Bartholomew.

“I’ve got him!” Meredith shrieks, her tiny boots crunching over the stones as she sprints toward us. “Mommy, look! He came out for his brother!”

She skids to a halt beside my legs, thrusting the fake orange cat toward the very real orange cat in my arms. I swear Balthazar gazes up at me as if saying,“What am I supposed to do withthat?”

“He was lonely, Daddy,” Meredith declares, her chin lifting with the absolute certainty of a seven-year-old. “He heard Bartholomew was coming, so he came out to greet his brother!”