“The entire baseball league has come to a screeching halt and things are crazy for us all right now.”
“Okay, Olivia, please tell me what any of this has to do with me?” I questioned without hesitation. I needed to know why she felt inclined to give me information about a client that I hadn’t requested.
“We received your email,” she confirmed.
“Good. I was hoping all of my clients did.” I prepared to end the call.
“But, wait,” Olivia continued.
“Yes?” My brows hiked as I leaned into the wall beside me to relieve the pressure my weight was placing on my feet.
“Mr. McClarren can’t afford to have your services revoked at the moment. He’d be a lost cause home alone. We have him on a strict diet and exercise regimen. We really need someone home with him to assist.”
I’m sure he has a cluster of women to lean on during his time of need, was at the tip of my tongue, but I refrained.
“Olivia, Mayor Hanover wants us in our homes by three each day and only out if necessary. Caring for Fohr McClarrenand risking my health isn’t exactly deemed as necessary in my opinion.”
“He’s been tested, and the idea is to have you tested as well.”
Even in her persistence, she wasn’t convincing enough.
“I’m not sick, Olivia,” I assured her with a slight roll of my neck as the thought surfaced that had it been anyone but Fohr McClarren – pro ball player and womanizer – requesting my services during this madness then I may have actually considered it.
“I don’t doubt it, but we have to be sure, here,” Olivia combated, reminding me that she was on the phone and requesting something from me that I just couldn’t give her.My presence.
“Neither have I agreed to leave my home each day and make my way to his when I’ve assured my other clients that I will not be servicing anyone until the Mayor’s order lifts,” I stated, as a matter of fact.
“We’re not asking you to do that, Ms. Delucca. We know how risky that would be.”
“Then, what are you asking?”
I could feel the strain of my facial muscles as my brows fought for the center of my forehead and my lips spread straight across my face. There wasn’t a twinge of amusement or joy steaming from the conversation that being had. Frankly, I was over it the minute I realized exactly what it was all about.Whoit was about, rather.
“For you to consider Mr. McClarren’s home yours until this all blows over. This way, you’re both safe, he’s not losing his mind, or burning down his home trying to cook a protein-packed breakfast that abides by his meal plan.”
“Don’t they have chefs for that?” I suggested, though questioned.
“Yes. They do, but these are different circumstances.” Olivia prompted, fast on her toes. “Please. I’m really out of options here.”
“I’ll have to decline, Olivia.” I shrugged, running my hand through my crimps.
“Please, Ms. Delucca. Can you reconsider?”
“Fohr McClarren is an adult male capable of knocking balls out of every park he bats in. I’m sure he can manage a few weeks home alone. Besides, there’s a million Americans willing to risk their lives to service him.”
“But, he wants you.”
I hated the clenching of my chest and rising of my breasts as the words rolled off her tongue. Though they didn’t mean any of what I had taken them to, still… they’d been said. I’d seen Fohr McClarren.
Not in person, but on the screen, and if he looked anything like he did swinging a bat then he was a sight for unbelievably sore eyes. Even with me as his home’s keeper, we’d managed to keep our distance. I cleaned his home once a week for the last two years.
He was never there, but traces of him always lingered. His scent. His clothes. His debris. His late nights and his early mornings. They’d given me a glimpse of his lifestyle, and I wanted no parts of it…especiallynot for the length of the shelter in place protocol that had been enforced.
“Unfortunately, he can’t have me,” I responded with just as much resilience.
And, I’d meant it just the way I’d meant it. He couldn’t. A man of resources, his entitlement had obviously given him the bigger head. I wouldn’t fall victim to it. I’d declined and wouldn’t be changing my mind.
“Ms. Delucca, I–” Olivia protested, but failed short.
