Applewild by Heather Lin

hadn’t meant any of the panic-induced things he’d said to her. Except one.
    The photo was embarrassing and could be a shot to his image, depending on how the media packaged it. But he could salvage this thing between him and Monroe. They could keep it low-key, stay on the property. But he’d opened his stupid mouth, and now it was over.
    It was what he’d wanted. It was for the best. It simplified things. But he felt far from happy. After an hour of lying in sheets that smelled like her skin, he had a renewed desire to keep their affair going until he left Applewild—maybe longer.
    And now she clearly thought he was an asshole.
    He kicked the dirt, lit another cigarette, and headed back to the main house. He glanced at his phone. With the photo’s release came another torrent of texts and calls for him to ignore and decline. Madison called twice. He should call her back, but he didn’t even feel like talking to her right now.
    He crushed the cigarette under his toe and left it as he hopped up the steps to the patio and went inside. He walked through the kitchen, where Elsa was putting sandwiches together. She pushed a plate his way and gave him a sideways glance. He knew she didn’t approve of most of his actions over the last few days, but he convinced himself he didn’t care. It wasn’t her job to approve.
    He took the plate and headed for the stairs.
    “You and Monroe have both come through here in the last hour looking awfully agitated,” Elsa called after him.
    “Imagine that,” he answered over his shoulder.
    He was almost to the stairs, almost home free, when Ms. Hutter opened her door and poked her head out. “Mr. Daniels, Mrs. Avery is on the phone for you.”
    “Can you tell her I’m eating lunch?”
    “I can tell her.”
    Ms. Hutter’s expression said what Alton already knew—Madison wouldn’t care. He rolled his eyes and reached for the cordless phone.
    “Hey,” he greeted, holding the phone with his shoulder and tapping his foot on the bottom stair, anxious to get upstairs, eat, shower, and probably just sleep the rest of the shitty day away.
    “Hi, Alton, I called you. Twice.”
    “I know, but—”
    “I know you know. And I know you’re upset. With good reason. I am so sorry about what happened. Those paparazzi are ruthless. And Monroe should never have breached the employee/employer boundary.”
    “I’m not her employer.”
    “You’re as good as.”
    “Why? Because I’m richer than she is?”
    Madison was silent. Alton knew his tone was snippy. And he was as good as implying she’d lost touch with anyone below upper class.
    “Because she is paid to cater to your every whim and you are there to relax.” She chose her words carefully but not carefully enough.
    “She did cater to my every whim. And I did relax. Madison, don’t blame this on her. I already did and I regret it.”
    “She should have known better.”
    “Dammit, Madison, could you sound more like an overprotective mother?” She was quiet again, and Alton sighed. “I’m sorry. I know you mean well. And I know this is your house and you’re being a good friend, and…I just need time. There’s a reason I didn’t answer my phone today.”
    “I understand. Feel better.” Her tone was cool.
    Alton felt like he was being torn apart inside, as much as, if not more than, when he’d discovered Sophie’s infidelity. Apparently he just wasn’t happy unless every woman in his life was unhappy, too.
    “Madison, I’m sorry. Are we okay? Can I call later?”
    He heard her take a deep breath, and her voice was calmer. “Yes. Of course. I’m just trying to look out for you.”
    “I know.”
    She hung up, and he handed the phone back to Ms. Hutter, who was trying too hard to pretend she’d heard nothing. She disappeared into the office again and Alton was finally able to escape to his bedroom.
    Which might once have been Monroe’s bedroom.
    He sat at a side table and bit into an apple as he surveyed the room.