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Albin rose back up to his feet and cleared his throat. “I’m glad you like it.”
Jimmy darted off, his toy held out in front of him. “Aunty Anne, look what mommy’s friend got me. Isn’t it cool?”
Anne stood up and gave Albin an awkward wave. “Hi, I’m Anne. Martha’s friend and roommate.”
Albin waved back and gave her a small smile. “Hi, I’m Albin. Martha’s…friend.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Albin.” Anne glanced over at me, her smile stretching from ear to ear. “It’s good to finally put a name to the face.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m going to put these in some water.” I stepped into the kitchen and rummaged through the cupboards until I found the vase. Then I put it underneath the faucet and waited for it to fill up with water. Once it was halfway full, I unrolled the bouquet. Albin watched me as I set the flowers in the vase and re-arranged them.
“I’m glad you like them,” Albin said, coming to a stop on the other side of the kitchen counter. “I wasn’t sure what kind of flowers you liked.”
“I love daisies,” I replied, pausing to give him a small smile. “Mr. Banks called me before you came. He mentioned something about you not investing inGent’sanymore.”
“It would not have been a good fit. I cannot go into business with someone like that.”
I glanced up at him and let my hands fall to my sides. “He offered me my old job back and a raise.”
Albin frowned and leaned over the counter. “Martha, I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but you can’t go and work for that man. Not after what he did.”
“You are trying to tell me what to do,” I pointed out with a frown. “And I think he and I understand each other better now. I don’t think he’s going to try anything again.”
Or at least I hoped he wouldn’t.
Albin frowned. “You can’t honestly believe he’s not going to try again.”
“He apologized.”
“So?”
“I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and see how it goes. Besides, I need the job.”
Albin’s frown deepened. “Can’t you find another job?”
“Do you know how long it took me to get this one? It’s got medical and social insurance for Jimmy and me, and it’s a good paycheck. I can’t afford to turn it down, Albin. No matter how uncomfortable Mr. Banks makes me.”
Albin opened and closed his mouth several times.
Finally, he shook his head and stood up straighter. “At least let me drive you to work in the morning.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to.”
“Do you mind if we drop Jimmy off at school first?”
“Sure. We can drop him off first.”
“I’ll take Jimmy to school,” Anne interrupted from her spot on the floor. “It’s on the way anyway.”
I shot Anne a confused look and sighed. “Alright. I guess it’s settled then.”
Chapter 17
Albin
