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)
“I don’t do many new home designs. They don’t make me feel the way redesigning older homes does. There’s something about the history, the knowledge that one family has already lived there.”
I nod because he understands. “I was away from it for a long time after my dad died. I had to concentrate on the company, and the company makes way more by tearing stuff down and starting over than carefully bringing back something worn and used but with great bones. And then one of my best friends ended up on a reality TV show about a king who needed a wife, and she found herself staying at Banover Place. I managed to talk my way into a job there as a kind of handy Girl Friday. I was there so Ani had someone to talk to, but I fell in love all over again. I feel centered and happy when I’m working like I am on Banover.”
He holds up his glass. “Then we can do some good together.”
I touch my glass to his. “We can.”
When we turn and join my friends, I feel more hopeful than I have in a long time.
Chapter Six
The door slams behind me but I don’t care because the only thing that matters is getting my hands on this man. “Are you going to kiss me?”
His lips kick up as he pulls his bowtie off. “I’m going to do more than kiss you, baby. Do you have any idea how much I’ve thought about this? Since the moment I saw you and made a complete idiot of myself.” He frowns suddenly. “How much did you drink?”
I set my tiny purse on the foyer table. It’s a whole big, gorgeous suite. It looks a lot like the one I’m sharing with Ivy and Heath, so I would bet there are two bedrooms in this sucker. I don’t see Jeremiah, so I have to think he’s either getting lucky himself or still enjoying the party. “Two glasses of champagne and that whiskey you brought me. I also ate way too much, and that’s a much better reason to not do this.”
There are so many reasons to not do this. So many.
I can’t think of any of them right now. If I’m drunk off anything, it’s lust. And maybe longing.
The last two hours have been a whirlwind of dancing and toasting my friends and sitting with Reid and talking about pretty much everything. We had a spirited debate about restoration methods that made all my friends leave the table. Jeremiah sat there watching us argue with wide eyes, as though it was the best tennis match ever.
It was fun to argue with Reid. Fun to dance with him. Fun to try Ralavian pastries with him. Especially since he apparently can’t stand lingonberries, and it is the national fruit. I had to eat his because Luca was walking up and he didn’t want to admit he hated it.
It was adorable.
I don’t think I’ve had a boyfriend before who I felt was a teammate. Like we’re truly in it together. Not that Reid is my boyfriend. He’s not, and I need to remember that.
“What are we doing?” He seems to slow down.
I don’t want to. “Having a brief fling at the most elegant and romantic event either of us will ever attend.” Now I do kind of wish I had some more of that whiskey he’d given me. It might give me some more courage. I’m wondering if he’s come to his senses. I can probably handle it if it’s about work. “But if you’ve changed your mind…”
He reaches for my hand and then drags me close. “No. I’m a careful man. I make very few mistakes, and I’ve started to wonder if that isn’t the problem.”
I raise a brow. “I’m a mistake?”
“Probably, since we’re about to work together and I think we’re going to butt heads a lot. This is your dream project, but I’m the designer. I’m in charge, and you’re going to hate me at times. Yes, this is a mistake, but I want to make it. One selfish decision. Something only for me.” His hands find my waist and pull me close, our bodies nestling together like puzzle pieces. “Harper, have I told you how fucking gorgeous you are?”
A couple of times. When we danced, he made me feel like I was the princess and he the handsome prince. He was so attentive, making sure I had anything I wanted.
I know it won’t last, but for a couple of hours I want to pretend I have the kind of life my friends have.
He even fit in with them. He and his brother had laughed and joked around with Heath and Luca and tried to hide when CeCe came around.
It felt like I fit in that moment. Like I fit in the new paradigm I find myself in.