let out a relieved sigh because the coffee tastes okay.
Honestly, though, anything short of septic would be acceptable. “So. What are you doing here?”
“Your mother called. She said she sent you a package, and it’s important that you receive it.”
Huh. Mom didn’t say anything about that. On the other hand, it isn’t the first time she’s tasked an assistant of mine with something. But my last assistant was my cousin, so whatever Mom asked Jan to do could be construed as a family favor of sorts. Erin, on the other hand, isn’t related, so Mom shouldn’t heap stuff on her behind my back.
For an optimistic second, I wonder if Mom’s sent me a care package. Her brownies could make sworn enemies fall in love and bring peace to the world. I’ve been missing them since I moved to Los Angeles a year ago. But she doesn’t need Erin here for that. So what’s this about?
“I’m sorry. She really shouldn’t have,” I say. “Next time, just tell her you’re busy.”
“I don’t mind. I am your assistant, after all.” Erin says it without a hint of resentment that her weekend got interrupted. “I enjoy being useful.”
She is either an amazing actress or really is telling the truth. “Well…thanks.”
The bell rings. The loud jingling noise says somebody is at the house gates.
“Oh, great!” She perks up. “Must be the package your mother was talking about. She told me to let them in immediately because it’s heavy.”
Erin hits the button on the security console in the living room to unlock the gates before I can. She seems a bit too eager. Probably thrilled to pieces she can go home soon.
Two men in pale blue uniforms carefully bring in a very large brown package. It’s big enough to fill up a wall, and sort of flat, like a TV.
This doesn’t make any sense. There’s no way Mom sent me a TV. She knows I have four already, and there’s certainly no reason to call Erin about it.
I take another sip of my coffee, hoping the caffeine will make my brain work better. Maybe then I can figure out what my mother is up to.
“Great. Please bring it this way.” Erin gestures at them as she starts moving. “Up the stairs.”
The men follow her with the package, carrying it like a priceless piece of art. I swallow more coffee, tagging along to the landing, watching with curiosity and a little apprehension. I’m not a perv, but I have to admit that that pencil skirt looks damn good going up the stair—
“Into the master bedroom,” Erin says as they turn a corner.
What? Annoyed, I start up the stairs. Erin will probably get lost anyway. There are seven bedrooms on the upper level. Even though she’s been to the mansion a few times to help with some urgent projects, she’s never been upstairs before.
But by the time I get to the top, my bedroom door is open and long shadows are spilling into the hallway. Mom must’ve given her the layout of the place. My mother is nothing if not thorough, a normally admirable quality I find very irritating at the moment.
“Right there is where it should go,” Erin says.
Right there where? What the hell are they doing to my bedroom? Actually, what is Mom doing, since they’re here at her bidding?
By the time I reach my room, the crew’s drilling into the wall facing my bed. Annoyance shoots through me. Instead of mounting a TV there, I left it empty. All the literature says to avoid working or watching TV in bed to get better sleep, and I’m a big believer in getting a good seven hours every night.
Now I’m going to have to look up a hardware store and patch up the damned holes the crew made on my good, previously pristine wall.
“I don’t want a TV there,” I say to Erin.
“Don’t worry. It’s not a TV.” Her smile is positively sunny, and yet my stomach is sinking. I have a terrible feeling about this. “Cheer up, David.” Her gaze falls to my mug. “You want some more coffee? I can make you another.” She’s already halfway to the door.
“No, wait.” I grab her arm to stop her. Her bare skin feels warm and soft against my hand. I drop it like it burns. The contact doesn’t mean anything, but I don’t like the way my palm tingles. Must be the lingering effect of my hangover. I’ve never dealt with Erin without my full faculties. Or