“Yes, Alexandra. There is a gala event to which it will be good for you to get exposure.”
“Okay, so when do we leave?”
“Tomorrow,” he simply states.
“But … but …” I stammer, my head spinning with all the things I need to do. “I have to go home and pack.”
“Go home and pack.”
“You said—”
“Just tell April you’re staying at your sister's house again, then drive over.”
I hate lying to April. For the last week, I did my best to avoid her. It’s not like she’d put two and two together. It’s more the guilt eats away at me. Yesterday, I nearly ran into Kathy in the foyer. I made a sharp turn to avoid seeing her, panicked I would accidentally blurt out, ‘I’m fucking your fake husband’.
“I guess I’ll see you soon.”
My back turns to exit the room until Hunter calls my name.
“Yes?”
“Is everything okay?”
I curve my lips upward and force a smile. “Perfectly fine.”
TWENTY-THREE
It’s been a long time since I’d set foot in Manhattan.
As a child, we were here for a good part of the year. My parents still owned the same penthouse, and according to Ava, our rooms were exactly the same as when we were kids.
It’s only supposed to be three days, but upon reviewing the schedule, Hunter only needed me for the Gala event. His days were occupied with meetings I didn’t need to attend.
To make sure no one accidentally saw us or the accounting team pick up on only one hotel charge, Hunter booked two hotel rooms, although he insisted I sleep with him.
As soon as we arrived, the change in time zone and flight caught up on me. I was exhausted and wanted to crash so hard, but Hunter had needs and made sure he fulfilled them even though sleep was the only thing I could think about.
When I woke the next day, he was gone. He briefly sent me a text to say he wouldn’t be back until late. I told him I’d be working from the hotel room for a bit, then planned to catch up with my Uncle Rocky for lunch.
“Look at you, all beautiful and grown up.” Uncle Rocky grins proudly. “No wonder Lex has turned gray.”
“Salt and pepper is the correct term.”
“Oh, yeah. Eric mentioned it once.” He rolls his eyes, then blows a puff of air from his mouth in annoyance. “I’m not even going to tell you what he said afterward.”
I cringe, knowing Eric is anything but vanilla with his opinions and views on life and men.
Uncle Rocky insists we have lunch near his work which happens to be in the Yankees Stadium since he is a sports commentator. I don’t mind traveling to the Bronx, given I’d answered all my pending emails and nothing was urgent.
“This new job of yours, you like it?”
We sit at the small table in the back of the deli, both of us ordering Rueben Sandwiches. Hunter enjoyed fancy restaurants, much like my father, but sometimes these small delis hit the spot with their food.
“I do. It was challenging at first, but I guess lately, it’s gotten a lot easier.”
“Oh yeah? You working for Cash, right?”
I nod, biting into my sandwich. It tastes so good, I accidentally let out a small moan.