Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
If someone like her wasn’t good enough, what chance did the rest of us have?
That evening, before heading upstairs, I went to check on the restaurant and found it had been completely transformed. Beautiful carved wood screens had been brought in from other parts of the lodge and positioned strategically to hide the kitchen. There were flowers absolutely everywhere, including the four massive arrangements topping the completely transformed work stations. The tables were rearranged and set with fine china and linens, and a large space had been cleared for the dance floor.
Joy had made the decision to hold the actual wedding ceremony outside, on the largest of the lodge’s decks. It was going to be standing room only, and if it started to rain she was screwed. But if the stars aligned and it worked out, it would be beautiful.
That decision meant the restaurant only needed to accommodate the reception, which had helped it come together perfectly. I took one last look around. It really was breathtaking, and it was going to be magical when all the candles were lit, music was playing, and the party was in full swing. Too bad I’d be hiding from Brad, so I probably wouldn’t get to see it.
I picked up my prop—a large gift bag stuffed with tissue paper—before leaving the restaurant. The only way to get upstairs from here was to cut through the lobby, and in case of a Brad sighting, I wanted to be able to hide behind the bag. The dinner party was set to begin in about forty minutes, and he could be just about anywhere right now.
It turned out that prop was a damn good idea. When I was halfway through the lobby, Brad and Frederick suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They were headed straight for me, too. I’d been peering over the top of the tissue paper, and I quickly jerked the bag up to cover the rest of my face. Then I made a hard right and speed-walked toward the gift shop.
After a minute, I risked a glance over my shoulder. I didn’t see them, so I continued to the stairs, this time hugging the edges of the lobby.
It was a relief when I reached our suite and shut the door behind me. Mal called, “Daniel? Is that you?”
I chucked the bag aside a moment before he stuck his head around the corner. “Who else would it be?”
“I thought it might have been housekeeping. The come by after six p.m. to do the turn-down service.”
I opened the door and hung a sign on the handle as I called, “I’m putting out the do not disturb sign, so they don’t walk in on me later.” Mal went back to whatever he was doing, and I hid the gift bag in the coat closet.
When I joined him in the bedroom, I muttered, “Well, damn. Look at you.” He was dressed all in black as usual, but this time it was an impeccably tailored suit, a shirt and tie, and Italian loafers. He’d completed the look by giving his beard a fresh trim and slicking his hair back into a tidy bun. “I barely recognized you.”
He frowned at his reflection in the decorative mirror on the wall. “I barely recognize myself. I figured Joy would appreciate the transformation, though. Felix’s family isn’t the type to dig my usual bohemian artist vibe.”
“Speaking of Felix, did he finally get here?”
“Yeah, about an hour ago. Joy is so relieved. He was flying in from Dubai, and I guess there was some sort of weather situation halfway between there and here. They ended up diverting his private jet to a different route.”
“Dubai? I didn’t realize that was where he’d been.”
“Yeah, I guess he was there on business. He’s building a skyscraper or something. Honestly, I’ve never been clear on what he does, exactly.”
I took a seat on the edge of the bed and asked, “Why does he work at all, when his family is loaded?”
Malcolm shrugged and crossed the room to stand directly in front of me. “I guess he enjoys it.” He ran his fingertips down my cheek and asked, “Are you sure you won’t change your mind and come with me tonight? You still have time to get ready.”
“All I want is a hot shower, and to climb into this bed.” That was true, actually. Not that I was tired. I just wanted to pull the covers over my head and hide from the world for a while.
“In that case, I’ll see you in a few hours. Cocktails are at seven and dinner’s at eight, so I’ll consider myself lucky if I make it back here by ten.”
I smiled at him and said, “Have fun.”
“That’s unlikely.” He kissed my forehead before leaving the suite, and I got up and headed to the shower with a sigh. I would have loved to go with him, but that obviously wasn’t an option.