CHAPTER 28

I came into the room, my head still scrambled from that impossible, improbable meeting with Mr. Serrano at the pool. 

All my life I could never have imagined such a friendly conversation, let alone such words of appreciation for my work. 

And, of course, the way he danced on FaceTime with the little girl-that was a whole other reality. Mr. 

Serrano, fearsome, dreaded Mr. Serrano-had a human side.

It was all too much, really, for this instant to process in my head, which needed some clearing. Because the sun had baked me alive by the pool, my clothes were stuck in uncomfortably. 

A change of clothes was most definitely in order-something casual and relaxed that would help me unwind.

The moment I stepped inside the room, I instinctively locked it behind my back, forgetting for a while that I wasn't going to be the only occupant in it. <