Now that she thinks about it, Marissa vaguely recalls Matthew telling her Ginny had gotten a new job and moved on. And Marissa’s sure he told her about his new assistant, but she can’t remember him mentioning her name. Although perhaps this is simply another detail that Marissa has forgotten in the blur of the last few months. Still, what kind of wife doesn’t know the name of her husband’s assistant?
She’ll have to fake it. “Hi…”
“Mrs. Bishop!” The dark-haired woman rises from her chair. Marissa is impressed; the woman must recognize Marissa from the photo Matthew keeps on his windowsill, which was taken on their wedding day. “How nice to finally meet you in person!”
Just as the silence begins to awkwardly stretch out, Marissa sees the bronze signage affixed to the cubicle wall: RENEE HAMMERMAN. “It’s a pleasure. Please, call me Marissa.”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t know you were stopping by. I would have come to the lobby to meet you.”
“It’s actually a surprise.” Marissa nods toward her bakery bag and tray. “I figured Matthew has had a tough few days, so…”
“He’ll be thrilled! Matthew talks about you all the time!”
Marissa can’t suppress the questioning tone in her voice. “He does?”
Renee’s desk phone begins to ring, and she hurries to pick it up. “Matthew Bishop’s office, please hold.” Then she turns back to Marissa. “I’m sorry, it’s a madhouse here today. Matthew is in his office with Mr. Simms. Should I interrupt him?”
Marissa hesitates. Spencer Simms is one of Matthew’s partners. He’s sharp and impatient, with a terrific sense of humor. Marissa and Matthew have gone out to dinner with him and his wife, Jean, several times, and while Marissa likes him, he can be intimidating.
Matthew has made it clear he has a crazy week, plus he has that important client in town. He’ll be working late. Marissa begins to wonder if Avery got this one wrong; perhaps Marissa’s visit will be an inconvenience.
“Oh, I don’t know.” She feels guiltily aware of the blinking light on Renee’s phone. “What do you think?”
“Let me slip him a note. I think they should be wrapping up soon. And his next meeting isn’t until four, so this actually could be a good time.”
Marissa sits down on a chair outside Matthew’s office and begins checking her emails as Renee deals with the caller. There’s one from Avery, asking if Marissa has a copy of Polly’s résumé, and if so, could Marissa send it as soon as possible. She frowns. The request seems odd, but Avery must have a good reason for it. Marissa knows exactly where in her in-box the résumé is, since she just searched for it herself. She hesitates for a moment, then forwards it.
Marissa tucks away her phone as Renee passes by on her way to discreetly knock on Matthew’s door. A moment later, Matthew’s door opens wider, and Spencer and Matthew exit the office.
“Marissa!” Matthew exclaims, striding over to kiss her on the lips. Far from being annoyed, he’s acting as if her visit is the highlight of his day. Marissa can’t recall Matthew ever kissing her in his office before. “What are you doing here, babe?”
“Special delivery,” Marissa jokes, lifting up the white bag and coffee.
Matthew turns to Spencer. “Aren’t I the luckiest guy to have my beautiful wife bringing me treats on a random Wednesday?”
“You really are,” Spencer agrees. “Nice to see you again, Marissa.”
“You, too. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Nope, but even if you were, it would serve me right for calling Matthew on a Saturday night and making him late to your dinner date.”
Of course Matthew had been truthful about the call; Marissa can’t believe she doubted him even for a moment.
Spencer frowns as a man down the hallway waves to catch his attention. “Sorry, gotta run.” Spencer begins walking away hurriedly.
Matthew reaches for Marissa’s hand. “Renee, can you hold my calls?”
She smiles. “Of course.”
Matthew leads Marissa into his office and closes the door. The generous, sun-splashed space is just as she remembered it. Matthew’s glass desk and leather chair are positioned against a far wall, while the coffee table, love seat, and chairs that make up his sitting area are closer to the door.
“Sit down, sweetie.”
Marissa claims a spot on the love seat, leaving room for him to join her.