Maid for the Billionaire(10)

Abby rinsed several glasses in the sink before putting them in the dishwasher. She hoped her silence would discourage Lil, but her sister just waited patiently, not even attempting to hide her amusement. ―Go ahead. Laugh it up. I deserve it. The guy is a complete ass, but…‖

―But you like him,‖ her sister interjected.

―Stupid, huh?‖

Lil‘s smile turned sympathetic. ―No, surprisingly human of you.‖

―What is that supposed to mean?‖

―It means that ever since mom and dad died you‘ve been so perfect.‖ Lill moved closer and cradled Colby against her neck. ―Don‘t get me wrong, I‘m grateful for how you‘ve always taken care of me, but it‘s been hard living up to your expectations. It‘s just refreshing to see you like this.‖

―I‘m not going anywhere with him.‖ Abby turned, folding her arms across her chest while resting back against the counter.

―Because rich men come knocking on our door every day?‖

―I don‘t care about his money.‖

Lill nodded, ―Ok, but look me in the eye and tell me that you don‘t want to go.‖

Abby hopped up on the counter, something she‘d hadn‘t done since childhood, leaned her head back against the wooden cabinet and closed her eyes. She knew the stupid smile was back on her face. ―You should have seen him. He came in looking so rough on the outside, but there was a real sadness in his eyes. I just wanted to comfort him. Then he looked at me and – I was on fire. I‘ve never felt that way before. It doesn‘t matter that I don‘t even know him.‖ She bit her lip and opened her eyes. ―It doesn‘t make any sense.‖

―Who said relationships are supposed to? I mean, besides you. No matter how well you plan, you can‘t dictate who you are going to be attracted to. Why don‘t you give this guy a chance?‖ Lill wagged a finger as her sister was about to voice her first reason. ―Don‘t even pretend this is about my job.‖

Abby had the grace to look ashamed. ―Sorry about that, Lil. I‘ll help you find a new job.‖

Lill didn‘t look as upset about the prospect as she had earlier. ―Don‘t change the subject.

What do you have against this guy?‖

―Outside of the background check he did on me?‖

Lill shrugged. ―Rich people are weird. I was reading one of those financial magazines and they listed him as one of the top fifty most powerful men in the world. Cut the man some slack.

He‘s probably just being careful.‖ Lil‘s smile turned knowing as their roles reversed.

One of the most powerful men? Abby gulped nervously. ―I‘m scared, ok?‖ If you can‘t be honest with yourself, at least be honest with your sister.

―No, really?‖ Lill rolled her eyes.

―Shut up.‖ Abby teased, amazed that the tension that was often part of their discussions was not present. Abby remembered a time, years ago, when they had bantered like this about boys.

―So, one of the richest men on the planet is sending a limo for you tomorrow morning and you‘re not going to get in it?‖ Lill challenged.

Abby hopped off the counter and resumed filling the dishwasher. ―Exactly. I‘m going to…‖

―Hide,‖ Lill finished her sentence for her. She lifted Colby up in front of her and spoke to her daughter, ―Colby, Auntie Abby has been taking care of me for so long that she is afraid to do something for herself. We‘re going to have to stop relying on her so much or she‘s never going to get laid.‖

Abby gasped, ―You can‘t say that to Colby!‖

Lill laughed, ―She‘s five months old. She doesn‘t understand what I‘m saying, but I hope you do.‖ Lill moved to lean on the counter next to Abby. ―Seriously, I‘m not worried about the job. I know I can find another like it easily enough and before long I‘ll have my degree. You‘ve done more than anyone could have asked you to, but it is time for you to start living a little. This guy sounds like your way to jumpstart the next phase of your life.‖

Running shaky hands under the water, Abby asked, ―Which phase is that?‖

Lill put an arm around her shoulder. ―The one where you stop parenting me and simply become my sister again.‖

Abby‘s eyes filled with tears. ―Was I so awful?‖

Lill hugged her closer. ―No, but it‘s nice to have you back.‖

Twenty minutes later Abby was flipping blindly through an educational newsletter when Lill entered the room with the cordless phone in her hand. Lost in her thoughts, Abby hadn‘t heard it ring.

―It‘s for you, Abby.‖ Lill said with a wicked grin and held out the phone. ―It‘s Mr. Corisi‘s personal assistant. Hmmmm, wonder what she wants.‖

―Tell her I‘m busy,‖ Abby said even as excitement swirled through her. He hadn‘t given up.

Never one to do as she was told, Lill handed her sister the phone. ―Tell her yourself.‖

Abby glared at her sister in annoyance. ―You‘re enjoying this way too much.‖

―Payback is so sweet.‖ Lill chuckled as she sat down on the couch next to Abby, a rapt and unavoidable audience.

―Doesn‘t Colby need a bath or something?‖

―Already had one before you came home. She‘s asleep now.‖ Lill said shamelessly not taking the hint.

Whatever.

―Hello.‖ Abby said with less warmth than her usual greetings.

―Hello. Thank you for taking my call, Miss Dartley. I‘m Marie Duhamel, Mr. Corisi‘s personal assistant.‖