“It’s only a watch,” she told him. “If it breaks, we’ll send it back for service.”
He did not look convinced.
“Come on,” she cajoled. “You can’t be in Geneva and not wear your Patek.” She grabbed his wrist and put the watch on him. “Much better,” she told him and grabbed her trench coat and pulled it around her shoulders.
They headed down to the shore line. Even the medians in the road were well designed, Kate marveled. She was always so impressed with Geneva. She pointed out the giant floral clock.
“They’re all about timepieces here,” she said to Grant, “and banking.” There were office workers out on the streets, coming back from late lunches. Kate put her arm in the crook of Grant’s, and they strolled down a street lined with large historic homes.
What are you doing?her thoughts intruded.He’s not your boyfriend, you stupid girl. Stop acting like he is.She ignored the voice. She knew she couldn’t have Grant. She was just playing pretend. Walter had plans for his son, and she was sure that didn’t include him having an affair with his assistant. Peoplewouldtalk. But those people weren’t there in Geneva. Kate sighed and leaned into Grant.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, smiling down at her.
“This is so perfect.” She sighed. “I love this.”
“What?”
“Everything.”
The finished their walk in the midafternoon.
“Rest up, then dinner,” Kate said to Grant. She was so excited for this restaurant. She hadn’t been since before the terrible thing that she wouldn’t talk about happened. She only wanted to feel normal again. She also wasn’t dining alone or with her boss or grandmother. Instead, she was with an attractive man. One who mostly knew how to conduct himself.
She lay down and sank into the soft bed next to Grant. They lay on the bed in silence, listening to the murmur of traffic and street noise rising up to their window. She settled in the crook of his arm, her head on his chest, their breathing synced. Kate felt as if she could stay that way forever. But unfortunately, she couldn’t.
She looked at the clock. They needed to start getting ready. They washed up, and Kate put on a simple short black dress with long sleeves and a minimalist silver necklace. Grant pulled out whatever Stefan had sent with him. Kate inwardly cringed, hoping it would at least somewhat fit.
“Oh,” she said when Grant came out of the bedroom.
He was wearing gray slacks, a dark-blue button-down shirt, and a wool sweater.
“You look nice,” she said. The pants fit him well, she was pleased to see, and the sweater didn’t look too tight. It was slightly casual, but you could tell the items of clothing were well-made and very expensive. The new watch glistened on his wrist.
“Shall we?” He took her arm and escorted her down to the restaurant.
Chapter 20
Grant
When he came out of the room and saw her, his heart fluttered. Kate looked amazing. She was elegant and chic and looked as if she belonged in that hotel. Having her hand on his arm as people tried not to stare at them walking through the lobby made him feel ten feet tall.
They were in a plush booth. She sat right next to him at the linen-covered table, not across from him.
“It’s more fun this way,” she told him, rubbing her leg against his.
He couldn’t help but laugh. He was so smitten with her.
“Then we can both watch people.”
The servers brought out course after course, along with wine pairings. Grant usually tried not to drink because he liked to have his wits about him, but he was so caught up in the moment that he joined in with Kate. Besides, it wasn’t a lot of wine, just a few sips with each course.
He didn’t even mind that the food was one or maybe two bites and came out in little bits on giant plates. He put on a good face and promised himself he would eat a giant burger as soon as he got back to the States.
The first course was some sort of meat and toasted cracker with a dollop of a salty white crème. Kate laughed as he ate it in one bite.
“You’re supposed to savor it!” she told him.
The next course was a small salad with a very tasty dressing and seared tuna so rare it was almost purple. Grant marveled at it.
