‘Voyage it, actually. That’s the name of our search engine.’
‘I like it.’ She nodded. ‘All about the journey and no connotation of wild animals.’
He looked quizzical.
‘Safari?’
Oliver smiled then. Her eyes were shining as she looked back at him, dewy, alive. ‘Can I take you out somewhere?’
She didn’t reply and he realised he was holding his breath and his stance. He was almost bracing himself for the negative response.
‘I made you stand there for half an hour getting fictitious about a piece of equipment and you want to take me out somewhere?’
‘I came round here drunk and behaved badly. Let me make it up to you.’ He swallowed, then reached for her hand. He turned it over and gently stroked her palm with his fingers. He couldn’t remember the last time he had stroked a woman’s hand this way.
She nodded, smiling. ‘OK.’
‘OK?’ He shocked himself by how surprised he sounded. She’d said yes. ‘Well, what do you want to do?’
He felt her squeeze his hand.
‘No more wishes. You decide,’ she replied.
‘Are you sure about that? I don’t want to take you out somewhere and have you disappointed.’ In truth, he was playing for time, his brain desperately wondering where he could take her, what he could do, how to make the best possible impression.
‘I’m sure, Superman.’ She rose up on her tip-toes and planted the lightest of kisses on his lips. She let go of his hand and backed up the first step.
‘Well, shall I call you? I don’t have your number.’ He reached into the pocket of his trousers and drew out his cell phone.
‘Ready?’ she asked.
‘Hold up just a second.’ He tapped at the screen.
‘077026 415798.’ She turned away and headed back up the steps.
‘What? Was that seven nine eight or seven eight nine?’ he called.
‘Bye, Clark.’ She stopped walking and turned back. ‘By the way, Angel loved the Christmas tree in your lobby.’
28
DRUMMOND GLOBAL OFFICES, DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
Oliver took a deep lungful of the frosty air before he pushed the door to the office block. Despite the hangover headache he was managing, it was a good day. He had coffee and he had a plan. Today, he was going to create the perfect date for a woman he really wanted to get to know better. And he was going to set Daniel Pearson on another mission. He’d granted lots of wishes and no matter how much it irked him, he was going to try and do something about Hayley’s.
He stepped into the reception area and straight away saw Clara. He smiled and made his way over to her.
‘Good morning, Clara. How was your day off? If you tell me you spent it anywhere but the bedroom, I’m going to be disappointed.’
Clara’s mouth fell open and she started to splutter as the receptionists behind her giggled. ‘I wasn’t aware I had to report my day off activities to the CEO.’
‘Absolutely you don’t.’ He touched his nose with his finger. ‘I won’t say a word.’ He grinned, indicating the elevator. ‘Going up?’
‘Yes, but—’ Clara started.
‘Before you do anything this morning, Clara, could you get theChristmas tree guys back here and have them put it back in the lobby.’ He looked at the vacant space, not even a pine needle in sight. ‘But get a bigger one. And more decorations.’ He pressed the button for the lift. ‘And get a couple of thousand dollars’ worth of toys to go under the tree. We’ll give them to employees’ children and the hospital.’
‘Oliver, what’s happened?’
