“Want some company?”
I bite my tongue and force another smile.
“If you do that, then I won’t be refreshed for tonight’s dinner,” I say, pulling myself out of his arms.
Kris nods. “I’ll wake you up at six,” he says. “We’re due there at seven-thirty.”
I turn and head towards the stairs.
“Pen,” he says, and I turn. “We’ll make it work.”
I nod, but the hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach makes me wonder whether Mum was right. I am giving up a lot more than Kris to make this marriage work.
CHAPTER 8
ELIJAH
“Amanda,” I say, approaching Gabriel’s PA.
She looks up and smiles. “Elijah, how lovely to see you!”
“Is Gabe free?”
I glance over at my brother’s closed door, the ride over having strained me to my limit.
I turn back. A frown has appeared between her brows.
“Is he expecting you?” she asks.
My brother’s calendar has appeared on her screen. Super efficient, as always.
“No,” I tell her, running a hand through my hair as I try hard not to snap at her. “I was passing and wondered if he was free.”
Her shoulders relax, and her smile widens.
“Not a problem. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
“Don’t bother him if he’s busy,” I say, staring at his closed door, questioning why the hell I’m here in the first place.
Gabriel has an open-door policy. He told me that he likes to see what his team is doing and vice versa. The fact I’ve turned up and his door is closed. Is that the universe trying to tell me something?
“He’s never too busy for family,” Amanda says.
She picks up her phone and presses a few buttons.
“Gabriel, Elijah is here to see you,” she says.
I can’t hear his reply, but Amanda smiles before putting down the phone.
“Go straight in,” she says before adding. “Can I get you something to drink?”
My brother’s office serves the best coffee in the city. With my frayed nerves, I’m not sure coffee is the best option, but what the hell. This day can’t get any worse.
“I’ll have a coffee, please,” I say with a forced smile.
“Usual?” she asks before motioning for me to go in.
I nod, making my way to Gabriel’s door.
