“You look confused.” She stands and rounds her desk before she cocks her hip and leans against it, arms crossed. “You know those things people read, full of stories? They’re books.”
“Alright, Ri Ri, I know what a book is.” I give her a cocky smile. “You’ve been spending too much time with Lily and Grace.” Secretly, I love how free she has become since moving over here. It’s like the new scenery has allowed her to wipe away everything that prick Ezra did to her, and she can finally be herself again.
“Anyway, I got an email from Cole West. That’s what Grace is going on about. She has to arrange a meeting with him for me.”
“The Cole West of West Wing Hotels?” Sitting forward, I rest my elbows on my knees. This is not what I was expecting her to say.
“Is that his full title? That’s how Grace referred to him—well, not exactly. She had a few other words to describe him.” She shakes her head.
“I bet she did.” I huff out a laugh.
Cole West is England’s most eligible billionaire. Women flock to him, and it’s no wonder with his looks and charm. I’ve seen him a few times in the clubs in Mayfair, and the man has magnetism, but what does he want with Ria? That familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach that always appears when Ria talks about her love life hits me. It’s like someone is constantly punching me from the inside, a feeling I’ve come to mask well with a smile and humor. That’s right—this mug is head over heels in love with his best friend’s older sister and has been for as long as I can remember.
There isn’t a memory that doesn’t involve her or the Stone family, and even before I knew what love was, I knew she was special. Ocean-blue eyes have flooded my dreams since they locked on mine, and they refuse to unhook themselves. Every year they bury themselves deeper into my thoughts until she is all I think about, but I fight the war daily that she is off-limits.
Hunter is more than my best friend. He’s like a brother to me, and I know that if I were to act on these feelings, it would cause a rift between us. A rift I wouldn’t cope well with, as without Hunter grounding me with his level head and common sense, I would not be where I am today. He helps me focus and has allowed me to reach my potential.
I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, and my head is often a little messy, but Hunter has always been good—even as a child—at helping me clear through the mess. He gets me. He is my sounding board, my voice of reason. So, if I acted on my feelings for his sister and messed it up, I’d be lost without him.
Also, why would someone like Ria want to be with someone as chaotic as me? We are the ultimate chalk and cheese.She is hyperfocused, organized, and has a plan for absolutely everything. But me? I am what you might call a “pantser.” I fly by the seat of my pants most days and am extremely impulsive. I’m not her type. So, I’ll love her from afar and hide my battle scars with humor.
“So come on then, why does Grace’s new prey want a meeting with my Ri Ri?”
“How my brother copes with you on a daily basis, I’ll never know.” An amused smile crosses her face as she continues. “You’re exhausting to be around.”
“I’m exciting to be around,” I correct.
“Sure you are.” She shakes her head but gives me a warm smile that makes my stupid, pathetic heart thump harder in my chest. “He wants a meeting because he needs someone to look after his portfolio.”
“You’re kidding?” She shakes her head, a huge smile on her perfect face. “That’s… Ri, that's an amazing opportunity.” I jump up, and without thinking, I lift her up, spinning her around her office, the way I have since I became tall enough to do it.
“Put me down,” she protests, grinning.
Placing her back on her feet, I rest my hands on her shoulders and smile down at her. Sharp eyes stare back at me, filled with hope and determination. And fuck, she looks so damn beautiful it hurts. “I’m proud of you, Ri Ri.”
“I haven’t done anything yet.”
“That look in your eyes is one I’ve seen many times. You aren't letting this pass you by. This contract is as good as yours.”
Chapter 3
Ria
From:[email protected]
Subject: Potential collaboration
Good afternoon, Miss Stone:
I have been liaising with your assistant, Grace, and I have managed to carve out some time for you to discuss the matters addressed by Mr. West, next Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m.
He’s looking forward to speaking with you.
Shannon Stevens
Executive Assistant to Mr. Cole West, CEO, West Wing Hotels
