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I nod an acknowledgment, surveying the mess of swatches and drawings and measurement tapes strewn across the long table.
“Hey, Kit. Need anything?”
I glance at the woman who’s appeared beside me. “Hey … Josie.”
She smiles when I get her name right. My mom has four assistants, so I had a twenty-five percent chance of guessing correctly.
“I’m good, thanks,” I add. “Just stopped by to say hi to my mom.”
“That’s so sweet,” Josie gushes.
I nod in agreement. “I’m a sweet guy. Sometimes.”
Josie’s smile expands. I straighten, subtly adding some distance between us.
My mom’s voice interrupts, “Hey, honey. How are you?”
“Great.” I hold up the bag from the bakery in Stamford, whereCollins and I stopped to have lunch. “Just stopped by to bring you this.”
“Really?” My mom lifts one eyebrow. “What a lovely surprise.”
I grin. “That’s me.”
Mom glances at her assistant. “Josie, did the art department review the new sketches yet?”
“I’m headed there now to check,” Josie says quickly, then takes off like a shot.
“You’ve been busy lately,” Mom comments as she heads for her office.
I trail after her, glancing over the framed sketches decorating the walls.
“Just trying to set a good example for this family of underachievers,” I state, dropping the bag I brought next to a vase of peonies. I sink on the couch, covering a yawn with my left hand. I might have to take a nap when I get home.
Mom laughs. “Please make sure you’re balancing work with some hobbies. And that isnotan endorsement of you partying at Proof every night.”
“But that’s myonlyhobby.”
She sighs. “Kit.”
I smile. “Relax, Mom. I’ve been to Proofoncesince September. You definitely don’t need to worry I’m partying too much. I’ve been reading, uh, nonfiction. And trying some redecorating at the penthouse. The designer’s style felt a little … austere. Also, I’m teaching myself piano.”
“Wow,” she states. “You really have been busy.”
“Sure have,” I say cheerfully, glad she isn’t asking for details about what nonfiction I’m reading or what redecorating I’m doing. “Andsince you’re the one at work on a Sunday, seems like you’re the one who needs to pick up some new hobbies.”
Mom gives me her trademark exasperated look, but the corners of her mouth are curved up as she reaches into the mini fridge and pulls out a sparkling water. She holds a second one my way, and I shake my head.
“I had a call with Charlie’s sister, Blythe, this morning,” my mom tells me. “She’s interested in fashion and in possibly doing an internship here next summer. It was easiest to do the call here, and once I was here …” She shrugs, then sips some water. “I’m headed home soon.”
“Lili set that up?” I surmise.
Mom smiles and nods. “It’s sweet. I could tell Blythe really looks up to her. And speaking of Lili, she and Charlie are planning to spend a couple of weeks in New York next month. Charlie has a winter break from school, and Lili’s project is wrapping up this week.”
“Sounds good,” I say, shoving the niggling nerves away. Once Lili’s home, I’ll need to share the news with my family.
“What’s this?” Mom takes a seat next to me on the couch, reaches for the bag, and opens it.
“From a bakery I went to earlier.”