Page 8

She hesitates a moment, then says, “It’s not really a secret or anything, so I don’t feel bad for telling you. In fact, there are probably still a ton of articles online about it.”

“About what?”

“Monty was the founder of a nonprofit organization. Instead of building condos for the wealthy like Crawford Holdings, he was building houses for families in need.”

“No way,” I say with a shake of my head.

“He literally built some of them with his own hands,” Lily says.

“Wow,” I murmur in amazement.

“So don’t think too harshly of him. Being raised in a wealthy family has its own challenges, not to mention the scandal with his father. Oh, that reminds me,” she says. “One final piece of advice.”

“Tell me.”

“Monty’s office door always stays open if he’s in there with an employee. HR attends meetings he’s required to have with female staff members, and there’s a driver in the car during commutes you’ll take with him outside the office. That’s a hard and fast rule he won’t ever cross.”

I don’t mention to her that we met alone in his office earlier today.

“That’s understandable to avoid any sort of rumors or allegations,” I agree with a nod. “Have you heard the things some of the ladies we work with say about him?”

“Oh, I’ve heard,” Lily replies with a laugh. “Megan is the worst. She’s no lady; she’s a vulture.”

“Is Monty currently dating anyone?” I ask. “I mean, is there a woman who will be calling for him that I should know about?”

“No, he’s not dating anyone I know of at the moment.”

Good.

My first reaction to that news should not be good. I don’t know where that thought came from.

“Well, Lily, you’ve given me some very helpful information that will make my life easier for the next seven months.”

“Thank you for filling in on such short notice,” she says. Then, “Oh! Tomorrow, will you please find the folder with resumes for temps in it and cancel the interviews I had scheduled?”

“Sure thing,” I agree as I make a note with a star at the top of the notepad to do that first thing in the morning after I print out Monty’s calendar and send him the notes from today’s meeting.

“I wish I’d had more time to pick and train someone, but I know how eager you’ve been for a full-time position, and Monty is so…particular, so it seems to have all worked out for the best.”

“It has,” I assure her, giving her hand a pat. “So don’t waste even a second worrying about the office.”

“I’ll try not to,” she says with a huff of laughter.

Lily and I chat about office gossip for a few more minutes. I only withhold the possibility of layoffs because Monty told me not to mention them.

Then, I decide to head out so that she can try to rest.

“Take care of yourself and the baby by following the doctor’s orders,” I remind her on the way out the door.

“I will,” Lily says with a heavy sigh, resting her palm on her belly. I’m happy to see that she looks a bit more relaxed and content than she did when I got here.

“Enjoy this time off. A paid vacation to stay in bed and be waited on by a sweet, attentive husband—you’re living the dream, girl!”

She laughs, and we say our goodbyes.

On the way out, I give Steve my cell phone number in case they need anything.

I step off the porch into the dark night, making my way around the winding path to my car and collide with a brick wall.