“We can take him with us,” Daddy quickly says.
I look between the two of them. I can definitely see something brewing, and it warms my heart. Taking in Ms. Rose’s appearance, I try to gauge her reaction. She looks as if she wants to go, but will accept it if I say no.
“No, you two should go. I can have Mira come get Noah,” I say with a grin.
My father waves his hands through the air as he looks down at my son. “No need to do that. I’m only in town for a few more days. My grandson is welcome to come along with us. Besides, I need a wingman.” He looks up and smiles at Ms. Rose when he says the last part.
Ms. Rose’s face flushes. She’s not even a light-skinned woman, but I can tell she’s blushing.
“Okay,” I finally say. “You guys have fun. I won’t be back too late.”
I like the smile that appears on my father’s face. I hadn’t seen a smile like that since I was twelve and Ms. Felicia would come over and do my hair. Afterwards, Daddy would walk her to her car. He’d come back in with that same smile on his face.
“Good luck at your dinner meeting, sweet pea.” Ms. Rose winks at me. “I know you’re going to win them over.”
I wrap my arm around her and hug her close before letting go and placing a kiss on my dad’s head.
My day went by rather quickly. I was swamped. I had a meeting with two potential new clients, and I sat in on a sales pitch for a restaurant design. After, I made a few sketches for the restaurant pitch until it was time to meet for dinner.
Hubby:How was your day?
I smile as I read the text. Nico has been busy the last few days. The East River Hotel was almost done. I had to go in and reorder a lot of the flooring and carpets that were ruined during the flooding. Most of the furniture was spared, but there were a few things that had to be replaced.
Nonetheless, the place was looking more and more like the hotel I designed again. We were a few weeks out from the grand opening, which meant Nico was busier than usual. He was out of the house early this morning, so I didn’t have time to see him before he left, and I haven’t been able to talk to him all day.
Me:Busy. How about you?
Hubby:Same. I’ll be home late tonight. Have a meeting to attend. Don’t wait up.
I feel like lately he’s always having late meetings. I’m not worried; I know this has a lot to do with how crazy his life has been lately.
Another text pops up on my phone from him.
Hubby:And good luck with your dinner. I know you’ve got this.
I smile down at the screen.
Me:Thank you. Love you!
Hubby:Love you more.
I tuck my phone back inside my purse. Jake pulls the truck up to the front of the restaurant.
“Do you want me to check inside and see if your party is here yet?”
I also purposely didn’t tell Jake who I was meeting either. He knew I was here for a pitch for a potential client, but I didn’t give him a name. Telling Jake was like telling Nico.
“No. It’s okay. He’s here.”
Ezra sent me a message about ten minutes ago letting me know he was here.
Jake’s gaze narrows through the rearview mirror at me.
“Don’t give me that look,” I warn. “This is just business. I’m meeting Ezra and a few other people.”
Jake shakes his head. “I don’t like this, Boss lady. I don’t keep things from Saint.”
I hold up a hand to stop him. “And I’m not asking you too. But I will tell him. It’s not like I lied to him.”
