Every Last Secret(26)

The corner of his mouth twitched in a grin. “Are you jealous?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m annoyed. Since when do you scamper over to employees’ homes? It’s weird and rude.”

“I was over there anyway, talking to Matt about the new neighborhood bylaws they’re proposing. Neena asked if I had a minute to go over her feedback on the team, and I said yes.” He crooked a playful eyebrow my way. “Satisfied?”

“Not really.” I pulled a plate from the cabinet. “Want a biscuit?”

“Nah, I’m good.” He studied the newspaper page before him, that sexy brow furrowing in concentration.

“How are things going with the team?”

He shrugged. “It’s going well. Everyone seems happier. More relaxed. I’m hearing less complaining, or she’s insulating me from it. Either way, it’s what I needed.”

“What Winthorpe Tech needed,” I clarified.

He looked up from the paper. “Yes. But also me. I feel a lot less stress and more confidence in the company.”

I didn’t like that at all. Neena was what my husband needed? I felt an uncomfortable crawl of jealousy working its way through my chest and clawing at my heart. I gave him a warm smile. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

I feel a lot less stress. More confidence.

It was official.

The newest member of Winthorpe Tech needed to be gone.





CHAPTER 15

NEENA

In the Winthorpes’ kitchen, I made dinner, stir-frying shrimp with vegetables and cauliflower rice. Outside, our husbands talked over the grill, the lobster and steak already prepped and beside them. I glanced across the spacious kitchen, getting a glimpse of them through the far windows, pleased to see smiles on both of their faces.

“You didn’t have to cook.” Cat perched at the far end of the bar, a glass of wine in her hand. “Seriously. Relax. I can handle cooking the vegetables.”

I swallowed my opinion of her culinary talents and crouched, opening her lower cabinets until I found the organized rack holding her Hestan frying pans. They looked brand new, and I flipped the first one over to make sure it didn’t have the price sticker still on it.

“I just feel lazy, doing nothing,” she called out. “Besides, we have staff for a reason. Let them do the work.”

Oh yes, her staff. I couldn’t pop in for a quick moment with William without running into one of her uniformed minions. It would make an affair more difficult, which was a shame, because there was a unique power surge when you had a husband inside his own home. Being naked in Cat’s bed was a fantasy I was already entertaining, and I ran my hand along her white marble countertop, making a silent vow to christen that surface, also.

I glanced over my shoulder and gave her a friendly smile. “Are you kidding me? Cooking in this kitchen is a dream. I’m making notes for our future remodel.”

She made a face. “Kitchen remodels are horrible. We planned ours when we were on a cruise. If you can, get out of town when you do yours.”

I flipped on the front burner and dripped a line of olive oil into the pan. “Duly noted. Assuming I can get the vacation time off.” I gave her a coy smile.

“Assuming it’s after FDA approval, done.” Cat leaned against the counter, her silk pants shimmering in the light of the stove. “William seems happy with your work with the team. He told me everyone is working hard, that the prototype is close to acceptance.”

I kept my features neutral. “There are a lot of issues to work through. I haven’t done much more than ask the right questions. And everyone, including William, has been open to accepting the changes and feedback in their life.”

“Right.” She adjusted the diamond-studded Rolex on her wrist, then crossed her arms. “Though William doesn’t exactly need changes. Or feedback, for that matter. Wouldn’t you say that he’s succeeded just fine without your coaching?”

I paused, the spatula poised over the skillet. “It’s more than just coaching. It’s putting him on an easier path with the team. Making him a better leader.” Though honestly, I still hadn’t had a chance for real one-on-one work with him. All our meetings had been spent with him viscerally critiquing his employees and me offering my best solutions on how to better address them. I’d been able to re-create our run-in and impromptu lunch once more—but any more surprise encounters would look suspicious. He had already raised one speculative brow upon spotting me again on the path around the pond.

“William has been a huge success without your help. Maybe it’s time you focused more on the team and less on him.”

“Do you think my methods haven’t been effective so far?”

“I think your focus is a little lopsided.” She delivered the criticism without cushioning, and I let out an awkward laugh.

“It would take time to explain the specifics of our motivational plan. But”—I shrugged and flipped on the faucet, pulling the heavy nozzle toward the bowl of cauliflower—“if you’re curious, just ask William.”

I could feel the irritation seep from her skin, even as her perfect white teeth flashed in a smile. “Of course,” she said smoothly. She lifted her wine and took a long sip. “I must say, it feels odd, the two of you getting all chummy.”