Page 56

Fully showered and dressed, I make my way downstairs a bit before seven. Despite being bone-tired, sleep was hard to come by after that rude awakening.

In the kitchen, Ricky, the chef who was here when Nora had her pool party, welcomes me with a big smile on his face.

“Good morning, Mimi,” he says. “Please sit.” He gestures at a stool at the kitchen island. “Can I get you some coffee?” It’s like being in a hotel where I’m the only guest.

“I’d love some coffee. Thank you so much.” I sit in my designated spot.

“Did you sleep well?” he asks before he turns to Nora’s fancy coffee machine.

“Yes, until Nora’s alarm went off at five a.m.”

I’m not sure whether I was supposed to say that, but my brain’s not fully operational yet. Nora must have the odd house guest over, but they wouldn’t necessarily be woken up by her ruthless alarm—I can still hear it ringing in my ears, that’s how shocking and loud it was.

“Marcy gives her hell if she’s not in the gym five minutes before they’re supposed to start. Marcy’s a bit loco like that, but I think Nora secretly likes it.” Ricky puts a steaming mug in front of me. “Enjoy. Can I get you anything else?”

Seeing as I barely ate all of yesterday, I’m famished. “I think Nora would like us to have breakfast together, but if you could sneak me a slice of toast already, I would be forever in your debt, Ricky.” I make sure to flash him a big smile.

Ricky’s eyes go wide. Is he that surprised that I remembered his name? “Don’t say the b-word, Mimi.”

I didn’t even say anything that starts with a b.

“This house is a bread-free zone.” Ricky plants his elbows on the counter between us. “If you don’t know this yet, then consider this absolutely vital information.”

“What? No bread?” Is he kidding me. “Don’t tell me you only make egg-white omelets for breakfast.

“Of course not. The yolk’s reputation was restored years ago.”

“What do you have on offer?” I suppose pancakes are out of the question as well.

“Lots of delicious goodies like a protein smoothie.” He checks his watch. “I need to start on Nora’s now. She’ll want it before she showers. Do you want one?”

“No. Thank you.” I drink from my coffee instead.

“It’s going to be loud for a few minutes. Cover your ears, please, Ma’am.”

While Ricky blitzes the ingredients of Nora’s smoothie, I wonder if I’ve woken up to an alternate universe.

Ricky pours two glasses of the liquid he prepared and, for a minute, I fear he’s going to give me one of them and make me drink that vile-looking concoction, but he doesn’t. He looks at his watch again.

“They’re late, which can only mean one thing. Marcy’s giving Nora hell.” He shakes his head and smiles.

To make conversation, I almost ask what he has put into that smoothie, but I have no desire whatsoever to find out.

“How long have your worked for Nora?” I ask instead.

“Coming up to three years now.” He leans against the counter. “Best time of my life.” He nods pensively. “I didn’t have much of a life befo—”

The glass door to the kitchen slides open. Nora walks in with a towel draped around her neck. Her work-out gear is completely drenched in sweat. Hot on her heels is a tall woman with a buzz cut who has the kind of presence that sends an instant chill up my spine.

“You’re up.” Nora grins at me.

Ricky hands Nora and Marcy the smoothies he prepared. “Drink up, ladies.”

While she sips, Nora introduces me to Marcy, who appears to be a woman of few words. She glares at me while she drinks, towering over me. Drill sergeant doesn’t even begin to describe her. This is the person Nora spends two hours with every day first thing in the morning?

Nora downs that drink in no time. “As you can see, I need a shower. I’ll be right back.”

“Are you staying for breakfast, Marcy?” Ricky asks.