just realized that in the short time I’ve known you, I haven’t seen you smile. Not once.”
“And you find that odd?”
“Well, yes. I do find that odd. I doubt an hour goes by that I don’t smile or bust out laughing.”
“Because laughter is the best medicine?”
Mismatched eyes narrowed. “You’re mocking me, but yes. Laughter is the best medicine, and it beats the alternative, which is crying.”
“So, I should be grinning like a loon and laughing all the time lest I start bawling like a baby?”
“No, but you work at a toy company. You should be...happy!”
“Wow. Now you’ve determined that I’m unhappy. Are you always so quick with your judgments?”
“No.” She frowned. “At least, I try not to be.”
“But you’ve made an exception in my case.”
“Ooh. I’ve stepped in it good, haven’t I?”
“Yes.” He waited for her apology.
But Ella said with maddening directness, “Am I wrong? Are you happy?”
Who asked such bold questions? Certainly no one else in his uncle’s employ.
“Some of us take our responsibilities seriously. We have to,” he added, thinking of his uncle’s flighty temperament and just how much was at stake. That brought Chase back to his concerns. Some unscrupulous journalists would pay Ella handsomely for insider tidbits about Elliot. God help them if one already had. “Which reminds me, I’d like to have a word with you in private.”
“Right now?”
“If you and my uncle are finished, yes.”
“Ella and I are done,” Elliot replied, coming around the reception desk. “But I thought that you and I had plans.” He scratched his head. “Or did I get that wrong? Don’t tell me I wore this damned monkey suit and canceled my morning walk in the park for nothing.” He smiled at Ella. “I walk rain or shine. It’s good for circulation. Owen bought me a treadmill for Christmas so I wouldn’t have to leave the building to go for a walk, but you can’t feed the pigeons on a treadmill.”
“You’re right, Uncle. We do have plans.” Chase had scheduled a brunch meeting with Sumner Thurgood, one of the few board members who at least seemed hesitant to throw Elliot under the bus. He turned to Ella. “I guess our talk will have to wait.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Her wry smile made it clear that she was lying.
Momentarily lost in those teasing, mismatched eyes, he replied honestly, “So will I.”
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