Free Heart Of Stone by S.I. Hayes Page B

Voice mail…”
    He took the phone from her. “Harold, Matthew, listen, Donnella had some bad Thai last night and is holed up at my place, could you cancel her appointments for tomorrow, and when you get a chance swing by her apartment for a fresh bit of clothes, she’s gonna need them, I don’t think my sweats are gonna do it for long. Something practical, none of those ridiculous heels,. Thanks bud.”
    She glared at him, her posture one of seething. “What in the fuck do you think you are doing? I don’t just cancel an entire day! I can’t do things like that!”
    “Donnella, you’re the Boss , you can do whatever you want. You don’t actually have to be at every meeting. You do have staff who know how to do their jobs.”
    “What would you know?”
    “Probably more than you realize, but I don’t want to argue with you. For right now, you are going to march back up those stairs, climb back into that bed with me and get some actual sleep. Then in the morning we are going out.”
    “I don’t have any clothes.”
    “I think Harold will be here before you know it.”
    “You’re probably right.”
    “You hate that about me don’t you?”
    “Probably.”
    “Besides if you want me to wear my contacts, you’re going to have to put them in for me.”
    “Wait you have them?”
    “Yeah, one set. I just don’t like touching my eyes.”
    “No needles, doesn’t touch his eyes. Oi vey!”
    “Oh are you Jewish?”
    She glared at him for the lousy joke.
    ***
    “Good morning you lying dogs!” Harold’s voice blared through the apartment. “Oh look an actual lying dog!” He put several garment bags on the couch, and a tray of coffees down on the dining room table. “Hello? Is this a bad time? Because someone woke me up at Three A.M. for clothes and a day off!” He finished in a sing song manner.
    Matthew emerged first, coming down the stairs in just his checkered pants. “Hey, Harold, how did you get in?”
    “Oh, they all know me here. So they just let me on up.”
    “I see … Good to know.” He took a deep breath, catching a whiff of the coffee on the table.
    “You didn’t have to. I have a coffee maker, somewhere.”
    “Yes, but you don’t have the fixings for the espresso machine, yet, and she’s particular. Only drinks Espressino’s, or these huge Cappuccinos. The Espressino, I can only get around here, so it’s a treat for her.”
    “Okay. You’ll have to write that down for me, along with some other things, I’ll aside you for later when we have the time.”
    “I’ll give you my card, just text me. It’s nice to see one of you actually taking the time to want to know.” Harold smiled broadly. “You could be a keeper. But don’t tell her I said that. Speaking of which. There’s our sunshine!”
    Donnella came meandering down the stairs in a too long for her AC/DC T-Shirt that read TNT with Angus Young playing guitar on the front. The length of it had it coming down to her knees as she rubbed her eyes and yawned. The puppy picked up her head and jumped up, running over to her, wagging her nubby tail happily bounding around giving little barks.
    Harold couldn’t help but notice her hair down and mussed, she looked like she’d had the best sleep in ages. He was beginning to believe that this Matthew Mayfield really may just be what she needed.
    “Whoa, too much too soon.” She moaned, flopping into the couch the puppy getting into her face, trying desperately to give her kisses. “Okay, okay. Go back to sleep.” She laughed, putting up her hands. “Yes, I know you couldn’t sleep with daddy last night. Maybe next time. Okay. Now get down.”
    “Pepper.” Matthew ordered. Pepper looked at him, settling at Donnella’s side. “Better.”
    “You and a dog? Never thought I’d see that .” Harold mused, grabbing the Espressino, handing it to her.
    She took a deep inhale and her eyes opened wide. “Is this what I think it is?”
    Harold smiled.
    “I think I love