Total pages in book: 235
Estimated words: 224334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1122(@200wpm)___ 897(@250wpm)___ 748(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 224334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1122(@200wpm)___ 897(@250wpm)___ 748(@300wpm)
“You too, boy,” she calls to my back. “And try not to break any windows, doors, and walls while I’m away.”
I look back, arching an eyebrow at her dry wit, and she smiles sweetly, going back to the kitchen. The elevator doors greet me, and I grimace at them, looking down at my hand. Surprisingly, it looks in a far better state than the doors.
By the time I’ve made it downstairs, Ava is outside in the car park waiting for me. I can see her past the glass doors, and I smile, pacing through, eager to get to her. My path is suddenly blocked, and I skid to a stop, narrowly missing taking him off his feet. “What are you doing?” I ask, looking down at Clive.
“I just wanted to discuss a small matter with you, Mr. Ward.”
“Oh?” I step back, wary. The elevator doors? The vandalizing of his telephone system courtesy of my hot-headed girlfriend?
“I have inside information, you see.”
“What’s that?”
“The concierge joining us.”
“There’s a new concierge?”
“There will be. Another one. He’s starting in a few weeks. Carl?” He frowns. “No, Colin. Or was it Callum? No, that’s it. Casey.”
I look past Clive, my patience wearing thin. “What about him?”
“He’s a bit straitlaced, if you know what I mean.”
I laugh out loud. “Right,” I say slowly, tilting my head, narrowing my eye on the old boy. “Are you saying, Clive, that tips might not go as far with the new concierge as they will with you?”
He smiles. “That is indeed what I am saying, Mr. Ward, so please do remember when you need assistance and I might not be on shift, I am only one call away.” He winks dramatically as he holds his hand out, and I slowly take it, amused. “Glad that’s settled.” He pulls his hand out of mine and goes back to his desk, and I notice a piece of paper in my palm with a telephone number. Clive’s number.
I laugh as I tuck it in my back pocket and join Ava. “You’ll have to talk to her. She’s asking about favorite foods, toiletries, and all sorts.” I slip my shades on and aim the fob at my Aston, making it blink across the car park, my stride slowing when I catch Ava’s smile. “What are you grinning at?”
“Do you not find it strange that you don’t know those things?”
Oh great, not her as well. “Your point being?” I ask, pulling her toward my car.
“My point,” she sighs, “is that we don’t know much about each other.”
I slow to a stop, staring ahead. She has no idea. I swallow, shake those thoughts away, and face her, smiling. “What’s your favorite food?”
“Smoked salmon.”
“I knew that. What deodorant do you use?”
Exasperated, she looks at me tiredly, her eyes looking to the sky briefly when they roll. “Vaseline.”
I execute a dramatic phew. “I feel like I know you so much better now.” I open the car door for her like a gentleman and smile. “Happy?”
“We’re driving?”
I look at my car, my forehead heavy. “Well, I’m not walking, and I don’t do public transport, so yes, we’re driving.” I usher her impatiently into the car, biting my lip, ready to hit her with news I know she won’t appreciate. “Anyway, we need to shoot over to The Manor to check everything is in place for tonight.” I quickly shut the door, ignoring her sour face as I round the car and slip in. Truth be told, I don’t want to waste part of our day doing mundane things such as checking that things are in place, but I also can’t leave Sarah and John to deal with the busiest night in The Manor’s calendar. Not that I do much, really, but willingness is key. Presence is key. I’ve never been so present in my life. Besides, we’ll need to eat at some point this afternoon, especially if Ava’s having a drink tonight, which I know she will be. “Ready?” I ask, starting the engine.
“Why are you even asking me?” She goes into her bag and pulls out some lip gloss, pouting as she applies. “If I say no, will we be staying?”
“No.” I pull off, hitting the gate fob and putting on some music. I look across to her in the seat beside me, my mood significantly better than a while ago. I have three whole days with her. It’s going to be wonderful.
I grip the wheel with both hands and smile at the road, thinking I need to make some space in the dressing room for her. She can have it all. Every inch of space. Or maybe we could renovate one of the spare bedrooms and make it a dressing room for her. I dismiss that idea. She’d have to leave our bedroom to go there and dress. But we could convert a bedroom into another office. Actually, she can have mine. I only have an office because it came with the penthouse. It was destined to never be used. Now? It could be Ava’s. She could work from home. I’d have design tables bought in, computers installed, have every tool she needs to do her work. Filing cabinets, printers, a library for her reference books. It would be amazing, she’d love it, and best of all, she’d never have to leave.