“I’m sorry, babe. But poor Simone. Want to come out to my place for dinner?”
“Can’t. You have a dinner meeting with a client.”
“I do?” I turned on my iPad to check my schedule. Had I forgotten?
“Yeah, you do. Check your messages.” Lily laughed. “That’s what Gina is here for, to answer calls and schedule appointments.”
“Shit, I didn’t even look at them.” I picked up the pink slips of papers Gina had handed me. Sure enough,dinner at seven, Boone/Franken. “Dammit! That means I won’t be home until after ten tonight… if I’m lucky.” I massaged my temples.
“Business is certainly picking up. How many dinners out does that make for the week?”
“Three. Will’s going to be disappointed.” Between his text earlier and the flowers, I was willing to bet he had dancing and sex on the brain. Like me. “Crap.”
“Hey, I forgot to ask. How’d your lady appointment go? Did the shot hurt?” Lily asked. Changing the subject was what I needed before I fell into a funk about the working dinner.
“It hurt a little. You know how I hate needles.” I shuddered, remembering the needle going into my butt cheek.
“I do.” Her red heart-shaped lips puckered. “I’ll leave you now so you can prepare for your business dinner.”
I smiled, watching my beautiful friend exit my office. The flowers captured my attention again. With a heavy heart, I’d call Will and hoped he wouldn’t be too upset.
The soon-to-be Mrs. Kale Boone had to be a relative of Gina’s, save for the copper hair and freckles. Joyce had a one-track mind. I tried like hell to control the topics during dinner, but she always found her way back to Will.
How did we meet? Is he romantic? Will I become Mrs. William St. James III?
And then the most outrageous of all questions…
Is it true he has secret babies scattered around the world?
Like what the hell?
That had done it, and I’d grabbed the ill-mannered bull by the horns and firmly told her:Enough!My boyfriend and personal life are off-limits.
Toward the end of the God-awful meeting, Mr. Boone had finished his fifth gin and tonic and had glassy eyes. Couldn’t say I blamed him for getting drunk. Had I not been working in a professional capacity, I’d have gotten sloshed too.
Eventually, I’d collected all the information I needed to put together a portfolio of ideas for their spring wedding in two years. I was less than thrilled about working with the woman. I had a feeling she would be a bridezilla.
I hoped Kale knew what he was signing on for with nosy Joyce.
I tiptoed into the house a little after eleven. The lights were off except for the desk lamp Will must’ve left on after he retired to the bedroom. I put my bags on the chair beside the desk, set my keys in the bowl I’d bought in Carmel, and stared at the gold monogrammed starfish keychain. I hated disappointing Will.
With a heavy sigh, I went to the bedroom.
“Hi,” I whispered, a slight grimace on my face. I felt horrible about working so late. I went to his side of the bed and sat next to him. He laid hisBusiness Weeklymagazine on his lap. I loved that he didn’t read on his iPad, preferring to turn physical pages like me.
Will cradled my face gently. “I missed you. I hope this doesn’t become a regular thing. Three nights this week is a lot.” His intense gaze spoke volumes, frustration and disappointment.
My throat constricted as waves of guilt splashed over my heart. He was right. It was a lot, especially when you added on Fridays for setting up and Saturdays, the typical day of a big event.
“I missed you, baby,” he repeated, his voice low and husky.
“I—”
His mouth crashed to mine. With clear neediness in each nibble and slip of his tongue, Will kissed me firmly. A ravenous hunger seemed to possess him as he moved over my mouth, drawing on my lower lip. I tasted bourbon and smelled his cologne. Though faded at the end of the day, its spicy scent with vanilla notes and tobacco mixed with his natural musk liquified me.
I gripped the back of his head, tilting mine to deepen the kiss. I wanted to make it up to him for being late, for another working dinner and another missed evening together.
“I’m sorry. Gina scheduled the appointment while I was at the doctor’s.” I breathed against his mouth, pressing my forehead to his as I stroked his scruffy jaw.