“I don’t do that intentionally.”
“You absolutely should.”
“Goodbye, Alex.”
“Drive safe,” he said. “Or don’t drive at all if it’s snowing too much, okay? I’ll have a driver on standby if you need him.”
He hung up before I could argue, and I stood there for a long moment after the call ended, the phone still pressed to my ear and my heart fluttering like I was a teenage girl with a crush.
Less than two months ago, he’d been a man who’d stolen my taxi and thrown his briefcase at me. Now he was my husband,my ally, and for the first time in years, I didn’t constantly feel like I was bracing for impact.
As I drove toward the office in the brand new car I couldn’t believe I was actually driving, I realized I wasn’t just tolerating Alex Westwood’s presence in my life anymore. I was starting to look forward to it and I had absolutely no idea how to stop.
CHAPTER 22
ALEX
By ten a.m., Deborah had already done three things I’d asked for, two things I’d forgotten about, and one I hadn’t even known I needed her to do until it was sitting neatly printed on my desk. She had a real knack for always completing my lists by noon, and honestly, I didn’t think I would have survived in this position without her.
Thank God for competent assistants, that’s all I can say.
I sat behind my desk while she stood across from me with a tablet tucked under her arm and her reading glasses perched on her head like a tiara. Deborah Andrews had been an executive assistant for longer than I’d legally been allowed to drink.
She was nice, efficient, and after raising five kids of her own, she had precisely zero tolerance for nonsense. She could also read my mind. I had no empirical evidence of that, but it sure as shit felt that way.
“You asked for a rental in Lake Forrest,” she said after making a note of a meeting I would need changed. “This weekend, right? As in, from this evening?”
“Yes,” I said, bracing myself to hear her say she hadn’t managed to find anything. “What’s the verdict?”
She frowned like she didn’t understand the question. “I found one.”
I broke into a wide grin and mimed applauding her. She slid the tablet across my desk, giving me a quick breakdown of the place while I scrolled through the pictures on her screen. “It’s an old Victorian mansion, but the plumbing has been updated and the floors are heated. There’s a fireplace in nearly every room. Gated drive. It’s tasteful.”
My brows lifted as my gaze dropped to the price listed below the pictures. “The daily rate is obscene.”
“So is yours,” she said with a smile. “But it’s also lovely, available, and private. It’s the perfect place for a winter getaway.”
“Do you think it will feel cozy?” I asked, then stopped and cleared my throat. “I mean, functional. Obviously. Is it functionally cozy?”
Deborah smiled wider. She knew this was my first weekend away with my new wife. “It feels like a place where someone can relax. I assumed that was the goal.”
I nodded once. “Book it.”
“I already have,” she said. “Through Monday. I’ve also had fresh groceries arranged and snow tires added to the SUV.”
“Of course, you did.” Even if the price was steep, it really was the perfect place for the peaceful getaway my wife so desperately needed. “Thanks, Deb.”
“You’re welcome.” She hesitated, then added, “Your wife prefers oat milk. And citrus gives her headaches sometimes, so take it easy on the OJ.” I looked up sharply, but she just shrugged. “I have my sources and I listen to them.”
“Thank you,” I repeated quietly. “You know, if you and Mike need a getaway too, we could always book this for you for?—”
As always when I offered to do something for her she deemed too extravagant, she cut me off before I could even finish the thought. “Enjoy your weekend, Alex.”
She smiled and left me alone with my thoughts, which immediately betrayed me by drifting to Jane yesterday morning, probably still in her pajamas, pretending not to care about a Bentley as she tried, and failed, to hide her relief.
I’d heard it, though. She might’ve tried to sound like she wasn’t excited, like she hadn’t needed a vehicle of her own for a long time and was doing just fine without it, but I knew it wasn’t true. A smile spread on my lips as I thought about being able to do that for her, making sure she no longer had to freeze next to the side of the road while hoping her ride would show.
Nate and Zach were already waiting for me when I arrived in the conference room several minutes late for our next meeting. They were both sprawled out like they were already activating weekend mode, but we were still dealing with the Thayer board, and since I wouldn’t be here, I’d be counting on them to handle it if something should crop up.
