Page 23 of Burning Caine
“It was burned in a fire and almost completely destroyed. We need it cleaned enough to authenticate, so we can pay out the claim. No repairs needed.”
“Burned how badly?”
She withdrew her phone from her bag, flipped through some pictures, and showed me. Nodding, I turned to Sofia. “Book her at nine on Friday morning. I need two hours.” Before my sister could protest, I raised an eyebrow to make my point.
“Thanks,” said Samantha. “We’ll be back then.”
“No.” I leaned on Sofia’s desk. “It will be very boring. I only need one of you. The one with more experience, perhaps?”
Lucy laughed. “That’s you, boss.”
Samantha frowned at her. “I’m not your boss, Lucy.” She turned the frown on me, but it was strained. “I’ll see you Friday morning.”
“Bene. I look forward to it.”
Once they were out the door, Sofia rounded on me. “Two hours? You never take two hours for a consult!”
“I’ll have to wear something nicer Friday.”
“Nicer?” She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms, narrowing her eyes. “Did you even look at the painting?”
“No. It’s ridiculous I have to rubber-stamp things like this. You know the business better than I do.”
She rolled her eyes, mouth tight. “Tell Papa.”
“Trust me, I have.” I took another look at the torn painting. “Where is he, anyway? He has been acting strangely lately.”
She came around her desk, taking me by the shoulder to the reception couches. Sofia had many faces for me, usually lecturing, angry, or frustrated, but behind them all was compassion and love. She was the best big sister I could have hoped for. We sat facing each other.
“You aren’t dating the dentist anymore?”
I curled a leg up on the couch. “The dentist was two months ago. You are thinking of the reporter. And no, I’m not seeing her anymore.”
“You went out with her Saturday night? What happened?”
“Date number three happened.” I sighed. How would Samantha feel if I had taken her to Caruther’s?
She chuckled. “The restaurant test?”
“I asked her what my favorite pastime was. She didn’t even bother to guess I might enjoy painting.” I put an arm on the back of the couch and leaned into it. “I knew after the first date with her. She was full of herself.”
“Why did you make it to date three with her?”
I shrugged. “She’s pretty.”
“I thought you learned your lesson.”
“Sì, I did. But, you know me…”
“Stubborn.” She gestured toward the front door. “And this one?”
I breathed her name out, a slow exhale. “Samantha Caine.” I finally knew it.
Sofia rolled her eyes. “You obviously knew her. I thought the two of you were going to run at each other when you came around the corner. You weren’t expecting her?”
“You think she likes me?”
She swatted my leg. “Obviously.”