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“Perhaps.” Huxley shook Kent’s hand. “I haven’t made any decisions on the direction I’m taking this project when it comes to contractors and associates.”
“My brother and I are happy to meet with you.”
“I’ll have my assistant reach out when I’ve finalized all of my plans.”
“Very good.” Kent smiled at me. “Ivy, I hope you get to visit with the kids soon.”
“Me too.” I inched closer to Huxley. “I miss them.”
Kent left the two of us and met Travis by the doors in the lobby. What a strange evening this turned out to be. As a matter of fact, this whole week had been a series of bizarre events, starting with the moment I spilled my drink all over Huxley’s shoes. Who knew being a klutz could have such ramifications?
“Hawaii?” Huxley asked.
“My family is celebrating Christmas there,” I said. “Travis bought a house or something.”
“You’re not going with them?”
“No.”
“Where will you spend the holidays?”
“I had planned to work in the morning, but as you know, the diner will be closed.” I turned in his arms. “You’ve given me a full day off.”
“Kyle will be here in a few minutes.” He ushered me out into the lobby. “He’s going to take us back to my house.”
“Oh?”
“Is that acceptable?” He caressed my cheek. “I want to spend the night with you.”
“Well.” I glanced over his shoulder to find Angelica watching us with such intent in her expression. “You did say one night.”
“Trust me.” He dropped his gaze to my mouth, sending pulses of electricity through me that settled in the most intimate places. “This night is far from over.”
THIRTEEN
Huxley
Keeping my agitation over the Girardi brothers resentment for Ivy at bay during dinner proved to be a task. But my rage directed at Angelica didn’t go unchecked. She had to be reprimanded and the quick conversation I had with her before dinner wasn’t enough.
I’d deal with her tomorrow. Tonight I had more important plans. Much more pleasurable ideas. They all started and ended with the gorgeous beauty in the red dress who stood in my foyer admiring the large tree I had delivered this morning.
“How did you do this?” She stared up at the silver star. “It’s so big.”
“I didn’t do it. I paid people to.” I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. “But I’m happy you like it.”
“My little artificial tree pales in comparison.” She laughed. “But it holds so many memories.”
“That’s all that matters.” I circled my thumb along her hipbone. “Some of my best memories are growing up in Scarsdale with my parents and siblings. My mother loves Christmas.”
“How many siblings do you have?”
“Three,” I said. “A sister and two brothers. “My sister lives in Manhattan in the same building as my penthouse. One of my brothers relocated to Martha’s Vineyard a few years ago, and the other still lives in Scarsdale not far from my parents.”
“I’m an only child.” She turned in my arms. “You probably know that already.”
“I do.” I smirked. “My investigator is efficient, but tell me something I don’t know.”
“My parents were seventeen when they had me.” She draped her arms over my shoulders. “My father joined the service when he turned eighteen.”
