“CrossFit?”
“Exercise.” She shudders, her face morphing into one of disgust.
“Jesus, Grace.” I giggle. “You really should work up a sweat. It's good for you.”
“If I’m sweating I will be getting pleasure out of it.” She perches on the edge of my desk. “Anyway, what’s got you all screechy?”
“I’ve just got an email from Cole West.”
“Cole West?” she mumbles before her eyes widen. “You don’t meantheCole West? Owner and CEO of West Wing Hotels and England’s very own version of Zac Efron postHigh School Musicalafter his ridiculous glow-up? With all the pecs, rippling muscles, sharp jawline, and panty-dropping smile?”
“The one and the same.”
“Wow. Okay, what did he want?” She jumps up before I get a chance to answer. “Oh my God, is he asking you out? Ugh, you two would look insane together. Think of the babies you’d have. Gorgeous.”
“Getting a bit ahead of yourself there. Do you really think I’d accept a date via email from a man I’ve never actually met or spoken to?” I raise my eyebrow at her.
“Good point, but it could be a good meet-cute,” she muses. “He asks to meet you for business. Your eyes lock across a dimly lit romantic restaurant, he pulls out your chair, and his fingers softly brush your shoulder, sending shivers through your whole body. The whole evening he can’t take his eyes off you. He makes you laugh, and has that glint in his deep brown eyes that has you swooning. He listens to you talk about your plants like they’re children, and he tells you all about his tiny but mighty succulents that each have their own individual names and special weekend pots that are a little more risqué than the usual weekday pot. Then bam.” She snaps her fingers for emphasis and moves her hands in front of her like she’s displaying a beautiful prize. “The spark happens and you find out you both have this silly obsession with having all your shoes lined up by color. It’s a billionaire thing; you’re all obsessive.” She points her finger at me. “Don’t pretend you don’t think about how you’ll rearrange your closet as soon as you buy a new pair.”
“It’s important to have things in order, Grace.” I roll my eyes.
“A little bit of chaos can be fun, babe.”
“Not to me.” I like things a certain way. If something is out of line, I can’t concentrate. “And you have been reading too many romance books to come up with that shit.” I shake my head at her.
“I don’t think that’s possible. They’re raising the standards of every man I come into contact with. If they don’t treat me likethe goddess I am outside of the bedroom and the dirty little whore I am in the bedroom, then I don’t want it.” She winks at me, rounding my desk to come and look over my shoulder at the email.
“I can’t argue with that.” I laugh softly.
“Because I speak the truth. Now show me this email.” She reads the email over my shoulder before straightening up. “Looks like I need to be best friends with Shannon.”
“Grace, this could be huge. The West Wing Hotel group and the West family are even richer than we are. Dad has spoken about how he would love to work with them, but the opportunity just hasn’t been there.” Leaning back in my chair, I look up at my oldest friend. “If I secure this deal, it will be massive for Bright.”
“And think of all the free holidays we could get out of this.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me. “I’ve always wanted to go to their resort in Bali, the one that’s hidden in the rainforest with the sunken lagoon-style pools. Oh, and haven’t they just taken over the resorts in Greece? They are little pockets of heaven.”
“They do look incredible,” I say dreamily. “What am I saying?” Shaking my head and refocusing my thoughts, I sit tall and concentrate on my screen that shows my calendar. “You get in touch with Shannon and sort something out. Move whatever you need to; this is a top priority.”
“So we aren’t booking a retreat to Greece?” She pouts, making me giggle.
“Not right now, but if we secure this deal, maybe.”
“Now you’re talking. I’ll go butter up Shannon now, boss.” She salutes me as she struts out of my office.
Chapter 2
Leo
“Itold you I haven’t planned anything too wild.” I grin down at the phone as I walk through the glass doors of the office, a tray of coffees in hand. “I swear, Hunter.” My best friend is getting married in a few weeks, and I couldn’t be happier for him. He and Jade had a little bit of a rocky start, but you could tell that they were made for each other. “It’s going to be wholesome and very dignified.” Nodding at Dexter at reception, I move to the elevator to head up to my office.
“You’ve planned a wholesome and dignified bachelor party in Vegas?”
“I don’t appreciate your tone. Of course it’s wholesome. What other type of trip would you have?”
“Leo Brent, I know you and how your brain works.” He sighs. “Please just tell me I’m actually going to make it home from this trip.”
“Of course. What do you take me for?” I press the button for my floor. “This is a joint bachelor and bachelorette party. I've been planning this with Lily. What could possibly go wrong?
“A lot. Jesus, that woman is worse than you.”
