Chapter 2

~TWELVE DAYS LATER~

Michael was ready to go. His suits were neatly packed in a hanging bag, along with shirts and ties. His casual clothes and toiletries were stowed away in other bags.

His mom had been a great help, getting Ollie’s suitcase ready and placed in the hallway. Michael had a backpack filled with snacks, a sippy cup, and a variety of toys and activities to keep his son entertained during the flight.

He had been emailing Anelise, getting to know her better. He was surprised by her maturity, considering she was just about to turn twenty-one.

He had sent her some videos of Ollie to help her get to know him. In return, she had sent a recording of her reading a bedtime story, which Ollie adored. In fact, Michael had to play it every night before Ollie would go to sleep.

His mom, Susan, had been a godsend over the past two weeks. She helped Michael pack, prepared the house for their absence, and talked up Anelise to Ollie.

She loved spending time with her grandson and spoiled him rotten. They went to the park, the toy store, and his favorite restaurant. She was amazed at how quickly he could devour a quesadilla!

“Michael, do you need anything else before we leave tomorrow? I can run to the store if you need anything,” Susan offered.

“I think we’re good, Mom. Thanks,” he replied, packing the chargers and converters into his carry-on.

“Anelise seems like a good fit for this trip. I’m glad Kim and Neil suggested her,” Susan observed.

“I’m grateful too! I don’t know what I would have done if she hadn’t agreed to come,” he confessed. “But I’m still puzzled by her reaction when I asked if she wanted to come tonight.”

“Well, you never know what goes on behind closed doors. But I think Kim still sees her daughter as a fifteen-year-old who needs parenting.”

Susan went on, “Kim told me the other day that she was a bit miffed that Anelise didn’t ask for permission before she said yes to you.”

Michael looked at his mom in surprise. “Are you serious?”

She nodded. “I suspect there’s more to this young woman than we see.”

“Do you think I made a mistake?” Michael asked. “Be honest, Mom.”

“No. She’s clearly dedicated to her studies. You can’t get your master’s in less than four years without being driven. I think she just wants to spread her wings and be her own person.”

Susan continued, “I believe Ollie will be in good hands with her, and he’ll learn a lot from being around her.”

Trusting his mom’s intuition, he nodded. “Thanks, Mom.”

She kissed his cheek. “You’re welcome. I haven’t decided what present I want yet, but I’ll make sure you keep your promise when the time comes. Or maybe just a Burberry bag! I’m going to bed now that Ollie is asleep. We have an early start tomorrow!”

He wished her goodnight and went into his office to ensure he had everything he needed for his company’s merger analysis.

As the head of accounting with a background in forensic accounting, the company’s owner and CEO saw Michael as the logical choice to assess whether the British company was a good prospect for expansion.

The delegation included Craig, the head of the legal department, and Ken Banks, who was tasked with observing their HR department and understanding how the company operated under British law.

Ken was a good guy and a hard worker. He was leaving his wife and two teenagers behind for this trip, but they were planning to visit him in July.

Satisfied that everything was packed and ready, he climbed into bed after a shower, hoping the next three months would be a positive experience.

—

Anelise and Leslie were at their favorite restaurant with friends, celebrating the end of the spring semester. Leslie was several drinks in, while Anelise had only had two, knowing she had an early start the next day.

“Ani! I’m so jealous you’ll be surrounded by all those hot British guys with their sexy accents!” Tiffany shouted over the loud jukebox music.

“I know, right... and you’re getting paid while you write your paper! What the fuck, Ani!” Monica slurred.

“And let’s not forget the guy she’ll be working for has a deep, sexy voice!” Leslie chimed in, reaching for another mozzarella stick.

“Just lucky, I guess.” Anelise laughed as the other girls playfully insulted her and called her by her pet names.

“Don’t forget to call us and send pictures!” Tiffany added, hugging her friends. “I have to go. My parents will be here around eleven, and I don’t want to be hungover like last time. Daddy cut my allowance!”

The other girls laughed and waved as she left for her waiting Uber. After dancing to a few more songs, they all shared a ride home.

Leslie and Anelise were giggling as they climbed out of the car and up to their apartment. As soon as they opened the door, Leslie flopped onto Anelise’s bed while Anelise changed and answered Leslie’s barrage of questions.

“You packed the converter?”

“Yes.”

“And your passport?”

“In my purse, with my tickets.”

“What about your phone and credit cards? Did you update everything?”

“Leslie, yes, I have the international plan on my phone. I went to the bank and they’ve sorted everything out, no conversion fees. I’m all set. What’s up?”

Leslie sat up and sighed. “We’ve never been apart this long since we met! And I can’t even come visit!”

Anelise sat next to her and hugged her tightly. “I know it’s going to be different and a little scary. But I promise I’ll text you every day and try to call every few days.”

Leslie gave a nod, then voiced her concern. “Why does it feel like everything’s about to change?”

Anelise laughed lightly. “Because you’re a nutcase and your imagination’s running wild. Enough with the gloom and doom. Try to sleep off all those cocktails. I’ve got an early start, but I’ll swing by to say goodbye before I head out.”

Leslie asked, “When’s your flight?”

“I’m flying out at seven-thirty in the morning. With the time difference, I should be in Chicago by ten. That’s perfect timing. My flight to London isn’t until noon, so I’ll have a chance to get to know Mr. Whitlock and Ollie a little better,” Anelise explained, punctuating her sentence with a yawn.

Leslie nodded, heading to her room. She called out, “Sleep tight, you little pest!”

Anelise shot back, “Same to you, booger!”

They both snuggled into their beds, ready to catch some sleep before their lives took a turn for the next three months.