Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Everything went well,” he concedes and looks out over the ballroom downstairs where it appears much of Ralavian aristocracy is mingling with a whole bunch of reality TV stars. It’s an interesting image. “I will say I had my doubts, but it seems to have worked out.”
Naturally he didn’t think we could do it. I’ve been here for a week. I heard the Dorsey brothers were coming, but I managed to avoid them for the most part. Not that I don’t stalk the man on his socials. I’ll admit that I occasionally look him up because that is what one does. Know thy enemy. It’s how I know my enemy spent a couple of days in London with his brother before coming to Ralavia for the ceremony. From what I can tell the Dorsey brothers’ socials are all done by Jeremiah, but I was almost to the point of giving this dude another chance. In London they did some charity work, and I know they filmed segments for Anika. But now I know nothing has changed. “Didn’t think a girl from Hell’s Kitchen could handle a royal wedding, did you?”
He finally looks my way, a confused expression clouding his face. “What? Why would you say that?”
“You said you were surprised.”
“I meant by how easy the filming was. The director did an excellent job of getting what he needed while letting the ceremony be the ceremony,” Reid corrects me. “I suppose I’ve done enough television that I think every director is willing to put the project over personal feelings, but this one seems to understand history was made here today. He was more respectful than I imagined a television director would be. I’m glad he’s going to be working on our show. Though the head of production is a grumpy man. Extremely competent but grumpy.”
Patrick. I kind of like Patrick. He’s been through some things, and he doesn’t prevaricate. He reminds me of a lot of the people I work with in construction. They mostly tell it like it is, and you don’t have to worry about backstabbing.
Except in the boardroom. And from my family. And my mom.
It’s been oddly drama free being here at a royal wedding.
“Why do you think I don’t admire Anika? Excuse me. Her Majesty, Anika.” He says the last with a hint of a smile that draws his sensual lips up and lights his eyes. “I assume you meant her. She’s a girl from Hell’s Kitchen, too, you know.”
I wish the man wasn’t so gorgeous. “I guess Ani, Ivy, and I spent most of our lives being lumped together, so when you don’t like one of us, we think you don’t like any of us.”
The hint becomes a full-on sunshine of the world amusement smile. “Oh, I bet that’s a lot of fun with Ivy Jensen around. Not that I don’t find her charming. I do, but I can see where she would intimidate a lesser man. And her mentor. I was introduced to Ms. Foust and now she calls me Hot Designer and my brother Gay Designer, and she wanted to know what kind of underwear I favor.”
“That sounds like CeCe,” I agree. “The good news is these days she spends an enormous amount of time with Lydia Marino, and she’s a good influence. For the most part. Though I heard they went to Monaco and hit a bunch of casinos last weekend.”
“Is she the one with the Lower Manhattan accent who told me I should eat more? Very Italian grandmother?”
I nod. “That is Lydia to a T.” And he’s answered all the questions I didn’t even want to ask. “So it’s only me then that you don’t think is competent.”
He winces. “The cookies didn’t last long. I told my brother I should send you something more substantial. Like a brisket.”
I roll my eyes and turn to go. I don’t have to deal with this man yet. I still have a whole day until I have to get on a plane, head back to the city, and start the prep work on Banover Place, including the initial design meeting I was informed happens next week. I don’t have to deal with him today.
A big hand cups my elbow. “Hey, I was joking. I seem to screw up with you a lot. Can we talk so we’re not at each other’s throats when it comes time to get to work? This project is important to me. And by at each other’s throats, I mean you at mine since I would like to point out the only real thing I’ve done is been kind of a dick when I thought you weren’t listening about a guy I don’t know and certainly didn’t know was you, hit on you unabashedly, and sent you cookies.”
“And what have I done?” I ask. “I haven’t exactly come at you.”