Silence fell over the line.
A clock centered over the fireplace ticked and tocked. The last thing James needed was one more thing to apologize over.
“Hey,” he finally said. “I really do appreciate your help. I think I’ll call it a day.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come out there?” she asked, her voice sounding broken now. There it was—one more indication that his suspicion might be correct.
James shook his head. “You hate being out of the city, Stephanie,” he reminded. “How about you take a vacation when I get back? That only sounds fair.” The truth was, James didn’t like the idea of having even one day without his PA at his beck and call, but perhaps she needed an escape of her own.
“We can talk about it later,” she said. “And um, are you feeling any better? After last night…”
It took him a moment to recall what she was referring to. “Oh, my blowup on The Lion’s Den? Yes, I am.” It was more of kneejerk response. When one asks how you’re doing, the other answersfine. ‘Are you feeling better?’ ‘Why, yes, thank you.’
He shut his eyes and forced out a slow breath. “Thank you for asking.”
“Of course,” she said. “Night.”
“Goodnight.” He tapped the screen to end the call and folded his arms over his chest. He wasn’t sure how much better he felt, but one thing could be said about James’ current state of mind. He’d almost forgotten all about his troubles on The Lion’s Den and the little black case he’d brought along with him. Camila had dominated his thought since his run-in with her. Something few people were capable of doing.
A series of taps sounded from behind.
He spun to see Camila standing at the open doorway, her posture guarded and unsure. Warmth rushed up his neck in a hot flash. “Yes?”
“Sorry to bother you, sir—”
“Mr. Benton,” he corrected. “James, actually, if you don’t mind.”
The beautiful brunette pursed her lips together for a beat. “I’ve got a list of menu items I’m prepared to make this week. Would you mind marking the meals you’re most interested in, and I’ll focus on those? We’ll continue the process week-by-week, and hopefully give you a good variety of dishes throughout your stay.”
He nodded, though inside he was wondering just how much of his conversation with Stephanie she’d overheard. “That sounds good to me.”
She stepped inside with a thin folder, flipped it open, and rested it on the desk beside his laptop.
James’ pulse spiked as he considered the MyBook post on his open screen. He worked to peel his gaze off the back of the back of his laptop while he strode back toward the desk.
“Also,” she said, “I was wondering which room I should stay in.”
James tried registering what she’d said, but something odd had caught his attention. It seemed that for each step James took toward the desk, Camila took a backward step away from it.
The woman really did despise him, didn’t she?
James pressed his laptop closed once he was settled into the office chair and forced his mind back to her inquiry about the bedrooms.
“That’s a good question,” he said, recalling the map Duke had told him about. The layout showed there were a number of rooms on each floor. How long had it taken her to locate him in such a place?
“I say…take the room that suits you. Whichever you’d like. And I think we should probably exchange phone numbers.” Heat rushed into his face as he realized how that must have sounded. “That way you won’t have to hunt me down when you need me.”
Her gaze drifted to the adjoining master suite. Upon arrival, James had opened the custom pocket doors wide to create one wide, joined space.
She cleared her throat and set her eyes back on him. “True.” Her brown eyes might lack the hostility he’d seen earlier, but they were definitely guarded. Her posture was tipped away from him, toward the door, indicating just where she preferred to be.
Still, she tugged her phone from her back pocket. “Tell me your number. I’ll shoot you a text so you’ll have mine too.”
Just why was his pulse speeding suddenly? “It’s two one three…” But then he remembered about his new phone. “Actually, don’t do that one. I left my personal cell behind and I haven’t the slightest clue what the number to this one is.”
Camila let out a sigh. “Here,” she said, approaching his desk once more.Dang, that smile was pretty. “I’ll send myself a text from yours then.”
“Good idea.” James set the phone on the edge of the desk rather than placing it directly in her hand. “There it is.” The front of his neck burned some more as he forced his eyes to the menu. He released a pursed breath, hoping to prevent that heat from spreading to his face yet again.
