Mrs. Hardy had a point when she’d mentioned Erin’s life lacked a personal side, a side that included a family, close friends and a lover.
A knock at her office door drew Cam’s attention from her musings and uncertainty.
“Come in,” she called from across the room.
A white flag popped in and waved as the door opened a crack.
Cam chuckled when Meredith poked her head around the edge of the door, flag in hand. “Is it safe to come in? I heard you yelling at Mr. Forsyth this morning.” The woman gave her a sheepish smile.
“Was I that loud?” Cam asked with a snicker.
Meredith gave her a nod. “You’ve hardly left this room all day and you must be hungry. I ordered sandwiches and got one for you.” She handed the deli sandwich to Cam.
Smiling broadly, Cam peeled back the paper, and sniffed the sandwich appreciatively. “Thanks for this. I’m a bit overwhelmed. If we ever needed Mrs. Beiderman, we need her now. She takes care of so many important details. I’ve come to appreciate her dedication and ability more than ever.” Cam took a huge bite of her chicken-salad wrap and rolled her eyes as she chewed. Around the mouthful of food, she said, “This is delicious. You’re a gem, Meredith.”
A smile met the remark as Meredith browsed the paperwork on Cam’s desk. “Why isn’t Erin helping you with all this?” She held up a sheaf of papers.
Cam chewed thoughtfully for a moment while she formed a plausible reason. After she’d swallowed, she said, “Erin’s making the rounds of the shops we use for catering delights. It seemed easier to have her do that than to have her over my shoulder.”
Meredith smirked and sat on the corner of Erin’s desk. “Why do you put up with Erin’s attitude, Cam? She’s hardly here to help out, pops in for a short while in the evenings, and then takes all the credit for everything we do. Honestly, you’d think she was the Lady of the Manor.”
Surprised at Meredith’s words, Cam stared at her pensively. Was that how the employees saw Erin? “I didn’t realize you felt that way. Is that the general consensus among our limited staff?”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. We watch you work hard, take care of God knows what, as well as the happenings here, and Erin doesn’t even make an attempt to meet with you or call you during business hours. I’m right, aren’t I?”
“I guess, about some things.” She shrugged. “But Erin keeps in touch with me by cell phone and I see her at the house.”
Meredith’s curious glance left Cam cautious over explaining her relationship with Erin.
“You’re popular with the staff, Cam, but Erin leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to being the boss. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing Erin, I just think she takes you for granted. Do you have a life beyond this job?” Meredith asked in a soft voice.
“I have, honest. This job is wonderful, I love art and being involved with it. Even if I do spend an incredible amount of time here, I do have a life,” Cam assured her. “I could ask you the same question. You’re here almost as much as I am.” Cam chuckled to lighten the conversation.
With a shrug of a shoulder, Meredith meandered toward the door. “You have a point. Maybe we should get together once in a while. Starbucks would be a good place to start.”
“I might just take you up on that invitation after the show is over and done with.” Cam returned to her lunch as Meredith walked out.
“Just what I need, a BFF,” Cam mumbled under her breath.
* * *
Clear skies and sunshine lifted Erin’s spirits as she drove into New York City. Studio parking was nil leaving Erin the prospect of parking her Porsche on the busy street. Wishing she had another choice, Erin snugged the car close to the curb in the only spot for a block and a half. She set the lock and alarmed the car before striding toward Giorgio’s.
“Sweetheart, I’m so glad to see you.” Giorgio greeted her with his
A knock at her office door drew Cam’s attention from her musings and uncertainty.
“Come in,” she called from across the room.
A white flag popped in and waved as the door opened a crack.
Cam chuckled when Meredith poked her head around the edge of the door, flag in hand. “Is it safe to come in? I heard you yelling at Mr. Forsyth this morning.” The woman gave her a sheepish smile.
“Was I that loud?” Cam asked with a snicker.
Meredith gave her a nod. “You’ve hardly left this room all day and you must be hungry. I ordered sandwiches and got one for you.” She handed the deli sandwich to Cam.
Smiling broadly, Cam peeled back the paper, and sniffed the sandwich appreciatively. “Thanks for this. I’m a bit overwhelmed. If we ever needed Mrs. Beiderman, we need her now. She takes care of so many important details. I’ve come to appreciate her dedication and ability more than ever.” Cam took a huge bite of her chicken-salad wrap and rolled her eyes as she chewed. Around the mouthful of food, she said, “This is delicious. You’re a gem, Meredith.”
A smile met the remark as Meredith browsed the paperwork on Cam’s desk. “Why isn’t Erin helping you with all this?” She held up a sheaf of papers.
Cam chewed thoughtfully for a moment while she formed a plausible reason. After she’d swallowed, she said, “Erin’s making the rounds of the shops we use for catering delights. It seemed easier to have her do that than to have her over my shoulder.”
Meredith smirked and sat on the corner of Erin’s desk. “Why do you put up with Erin’s attitude, Cam? She’s hardly here to help out, pops in for a short while in the evenings, and then takes all the credit for everything we do. Honestly, you’d think she was the Lady of the Manor.”
Surprised at Meredith’s words, Cam stared at her pensively. Was that how the employees saw Erin? “I didn’t realize you felt that way. Is that the general consensus among our limited staff?”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. We watch you work hard, take care of God knows what, as well as the happenings here, and Erin doesn’t even make an attempt to meet with you or call you during business hours. I’m right, aren’t I?”
“I guess, about some things.” She shrugged. “But Erin keeps in touch with me by cell phone and I see her at the house.”
Meredith’s curious glance left Cam cautious over explaining her relationship with Erin.
“You’re popular with the staff, Cam, but Erin leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to being the boss. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing Erin, I just think she takes you for granted. Do you have a life beyond this job?” Meredith asked in a soft voice.
“I have, honest. This job is wonderful, I love art and being involved with it. Even if I do spend an incredible amount of time here, I do have a life,” Cam assured her. “I could ask you the same question. You’re here almost as much as I am.” Cam chuckled to lighten the conversation.
With a shrug of a shoulder, Meredith meandered toward the door. “You have a point. Maybe we should get together once in a while. Starbucks would be a good place to start.”
“I might just take you up on that invitation after the show is over and done with.” Cam returned to her lunch as Meredith walked out.
“Just what I need, a BFF,” Cam mumbled under her breath.
* * *
Clear skies and sunshine lifted Erin’s spirits as she drove into New York City. Studio parking was nil leaving Erin the prospect of parking her Porsche on the busy street. Wishing she had another choice, Erin snugged the car close to the curb in the only spot for a block and a half. She set the lock and alarmed the car before striding toward Giorgio’s.
“Sweetheart, I’m so glad to see you.” Giorgio greeted her with his
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