“I just thought,” He starts but pauses, his brows lowering over thinned lips. “Actually, I’m not sure exactly what I thought. You just looked sad on the phone. I was wondering if you’d like some company?”
I’m almost sure that he’s got an ulterior motive but he’s not wrong. I’m so alone right now that his company is welcomed. “Sure, okay? What’re you doing at an airport bar? Waiting for your flight?” I ask, and Baron shakes his head, taking a sip of his beer. The waitress appears with my water and a small bowl of lemon wedges. “Do you want anything?”
“Oh, no, thank you,” He waves the waitress off, and I squeeze a lemon wedge into my water before taking an experimental sip. “I just landed, myself. I was taking some time to gather myself. I have an early morning meeting that I’m not looking forward to. I just came from Dubai.”
“Same here. My sister-in-law’s graduating tomorrow, but I’ve been in Switzerland for the last four months,” I answer. Interest brightens Baron’s eyes, and I squeeze another lemon into my water to swirl it around listlessly. “It’s the first time I’ve seen her or my brother in a while, and I’m nervous, to be honest.”
“Switzerland? My mother makes me get her these chocolates when I’m there. I don’t know why- she never eats them. I’m pretty sure she throws them out every time.” Baron chuckles lightly, and curiosity worms through my veins.
“You still get them for her, though?” I ask, and he sighs as he sits back. Rubbing his jaw, Baron smiles and shrugs lightly. “What’s your mom like if she demands something just to throw it out?”
“I get some for myself. They’re quite good, actually. They’ve got this marshmallow center, and they use dark chocolate so they’re not too sweet,” He answers before his expression falls some. “That’s a pretty good explanation of her as a person, truthfully. It’s like a test, I feel. Like some kind of loyalty thing, maybe? I can’t say for sure because I’ve never asked.” I raise one eyebrow and look away. I know all about tests. Too much if I say so myself.
“I don’t like chocolate,” I say, taking a gulp of my water. The coldness shocks my teeth, and I watch Baron’s lips part in surprise. Giggling lightly, I set down my glass to shake my head. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re not one of those people who’ll cry sacrilege? I also don’t like dogs. Is that a deal breaker for you? You gonna get up and walk away because I don’t like either of those things?” I joke around with him just to see how he’ll react. I’m surprised when he takes a moment before he answers as if he were truly trying to think of an appropriate answer.
“Oh, no, I’m not a dog person, either. We did have a few growing up, but they were little, yappy things,” Scrunching up his nose in distaste, Baron makes a face, and I laugh lightly and nod in understanding. “I’m here in London, but like I said earlier I just left Dubai, and I recently traveled to Cape Town, South Africa. I don’t think plane seats and a different hotel room every week is good for me, let alone a pet.”
He seems very responsible, nothing like me, at least not yet. “Aye. I recently did a bit of traveling, meself. I don’t really like it. I wouldn’t have gone if I could get out of it, especially in hindsight. I’m glad I finally came back to London,” I reply sheepishly. Playing with the straw in my glass, I fight a hot sigh that builds in my lungs. “I’m excited to find a job and have my own place. My brother and his wife live in the same neighborhood, too, so not too far, but not on top of me.”
“You sound optimistic, Delaney. What kind of job are you looking for?” Baron asks curiously.
“Um, I’ve done some event planning work back in Ireland. I really loved it, but the people I worked for before went under,” I reply honestly, and my mouth dries with the memories that flash behind my eyes. Inhaling through flared nostrils, I hold my breath and fiddle with the strap of my purse. “I organized this event for a charity a few years ago. Belfast Humanitarian Fundraiser? It went incredibly well.”
“You were the one that planned that?” Baron sits up sharply, excitement lightening his tone. I nod, fire racing up my neck and into my cheeks. He hastily pulls a card out of his wallet, handing it to me with a jovial grin. “I’ll hire you. I’ve been wondering for years who did that. I was so impressed! I’ve been hoping to headhunt anyone involved, but once the charity went under, I couldn’t find anything related to the organization of the event.”
“W- what? Just. . . like that?” I stammer, and Baron pulls back to set the card on the table and produce a pen from his jacket. He scribbles his number on the back of the card, and I watch through wide eyes. Apprehension grips my chest in a vice, my heart hammering against my ribs. “You’re just offering me a job? What if I’m lying?”
“Then I’ll find out soon enough,” Baron replies very seriously, once again offering me the business card between his fingers. I take it tentatively, my hand tingling wildly with expectation. Satisfaction blazes in Baron’s eyes as he grins at me. “Even if you’re lying, you’re the first person I’ve met that admitted to being involved with that charity. I mean, I don’t blame you after all their dirty laundry ended up on the internet. I’m sure no one wants to confess being hired by a charity dedicated to helping impoverished kids that’s run by a pedophile.”
“Th- thanks? I think?” I reply as I take the card and look down. Baron von Deirtricht. Glancing up at him cautiously, I lick my lips heavily. “I was just brought on for that one project. I didn’t work for the guy on the regular. I never even met him while I was on the job.” I say trying to make sure he knows that I’m not associated with that arse in any way.
“All well and good, Delaney! I’d never met him, either, and I count myself lucky. I’m in London to find someone like you- an event coordinator.” Baron says, but our conversation cuts short when the waitress arrives with my food. My mouth waters, our conversation wiping from my mind instantly. The smell of it all clings to my nostrils heavily, and I sit up to set my purse on top of my suitcase by my chair.
“You can have some,” I offer, pushing the absolutely monstrous plate of curly fries towards Baron so I can make room for the cup of marinara sauce and fried cheese. Licking my lips, I pick up one stick and pause when he chuckles heartily. “What?”
“No, no, I’m fine. I appreciate the offer, though,” He waves a hand in polite decline, and I nod before dunking my mozzarella stick into the sauce. The smell is amazing, and I ignore my burning fingertips. “I can go, if you’d like. I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re fine. Why’re you looking for an event coordinator?” I push him on, and Baron runs his hand through his hair. He’s quite handsome, I think to myself. He’s got no discernible accent, and he’s sharp and clean-cut with his styled, dark brown hair and light gray suit. Blowing on my mozzarella stick, I take a very careful bite, and steam clouds my vision.
“I opened a boutique hotel here in London about a year ago, but the man I’d hired to the position has given me nothing but problems. I finally fired him. The problem is, I didn’t have anyone to replace him, and this space does weddings, company events, charity gatherings,” Baron nods at me as I pinch the cheese. Hissing as it burns my fingertips, I suck in a sharp breath and pull back. “Private functions. The whole bit. I want to save the hotel before any real damage can happen.”
“Damage?” I question, glancing up at Baron quizzically. Mumbling around my mouthful, I watch him nod as frustration knits his brows.
“The assistant really pulled through, but he doesn’t want the job. He just wants a competent boss,” Baron pauses to pull out his phone, concentration twisting his handsome features. “I’m sorry. My ride’s here. But that’s my personal number on the card. Give me a call sometime?”
“Okay,” I answer dumbly, and Baron casts me a regretful smile before standing up to leave the restaurant. Watching him go, I chew sluggishly. Grabbing a curly fry, I hum to myself gutturally. Stuffing the fry in my mouth, I glance down at the card resting on the edge of the table. “I’ll think about it tomorrow. . . before Luna’s graduation.” I didn’t want to think that finding a job could be this easy but I’m glad things seem to be looking up even if it’s only just this small happenstance.
CHAPTER1
BARON
4 months later
“Iagreed to this renovation because you were confident about this plan, Granby,” I say sharply, pointing an accusatory finger at him across the desk. He tries not to frown, opening his mouth to argue before I hold up my palm to stop him. The last thing I want right now is to hear anything he has to say besides a time frame, “Not only are you over budget, but you’re now telling me you’re off schedule? By how long?”
“Just a few weeks,” Granby answers, and I scoff and roll my eyes. Sitting in my chair heavily, I rub my jaw and chin in aggravation. “Baron, the construction company gave us an optimistic time frame.”
“A flimsy way of covering their asses for slacking. I hired them on your recommendation- you said your friend would get the job done on time, Granby. It’s not even that complicated of a job to do, damnit!” I clear my voice roughly to stop it from rising, and Granby can’t hide his unease anymore. I let out a sigh trying to rid the frustration clouding my mind. Dropping into my chair, I lean back and prop my feet on my desk. Rubbing my temples, I breathe a hot sigh of irritation. “Fire them. I’m calling in WW Construction in the morning to come clean up their fucking mess.”
