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“The very hardest,” I agree. “When I’m in the middle of a big deal, my assistant sometimes comes to work in the second office. But I don’t have anything pressing in development at the moment. You can use the second office as your own, if you’d like.”
Her eyes widen. “Yeah? What would I use it for?”
“Brainstorming your next business venture, perhaps? I’m sure you’ll want to work in the city eventually, once the baby’s in pre-school, if not before. You’ll be bored to tears if you don’t have something on your plate. A brilliant business mind needs a project to thrive.”
“It does, you’re right,” she says as the plane touches down with barely a bump. She laughs, giving my thigh a light smack. “Good job with the distraction.”
“Thank you,” I say.
She hesitates a beat before asking, “Did you mean it? Do you really think I’m a brilliant business mind?”
“You started a business at eighteen,” I say. “A food service business, no less. Sixty to eighty percent of food service endeavors fail in the first two years. But you’re still standing and thriving.” I nudge her knee with mine. “So, yeah, I’d say pretty brilliant. But don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late,” she whispers, holding my gaze with a warmth and gratitude I enjoy far too much. “Already plotting world domination.”
I grunt. “Don’t know why I expected anything less.”
As we taxi to the private hangar, I realize all the stirrings of dread are gone. I’m actually looking forward to showing her the apartment. To watching her explore the space, claim it as her own, set up her computer in the office where she will no doubt begin her domination of the world.
At least ofmyworld…
It would be so easy to fall under this woman’s spell for longer than a few months, but that’s all we have.
And I’ll do my best to remember that tonight and every night until we say goodbye for good.
eight
ELAINA
The drivefrom JFK to the Upper West Side gives me plenty of time to overthink everything.
Especially how much I enjoyed the flight with Hunter.
Damn him for being so good at calming my nerves. At making me laugh. At chess, of all things. And yes, I am stillbetterat chess than he is—what can I say; it’s my weird natural talent—but he’s no slouch.
And he didn’t seem to mind getting stomped by a café owner without a college education, either.
In fact, he seemed almost…proudof me.
I wouldn’t have expected Hunter to be the kind of man who knows when to check his ego. Or the kind to be so generous with his compliments or his praise or his “bonus office.” He really seems to believe in me, which is really,reallyattractive.
If a girl didn’t know better, she could start to see long-term potential here.
But Idoknow better. Which is why I have to stay focused on the big picture—now, more than ever. I need to remember that this is a place I’m dropping anchor for a short time, not a safe harbor, and keep my options open and my heart under lock and key.
“Hungry?” Hunter asks as we turn onto Central Park West. “I could have the driver stop at the gourmet deli on the corner before we get to my building. Or we could order delivery once we get to my place if you don’t mind waiting for dinner.”
“I’m fine with waiting, if you are,” I say. “Especially if you have Thai food places that deliver around here. I’ve only had Thai food once, but if I remember correctly, it was the most delicious thing ever.”
“Only once?” His brows drift higher on his forehead.
I nod. “Yep. Not a lot of culinary diversity in Sea Breeze and running a business like mine doesn’t leave a girl a lot of time to drive to Portland for curry.”
“Sounds like we need to start making up for lost time,” he says. “We have several options for Thai food in the neighborhood, including my personal favorite, The Jealous Papaya. Their green curry and coconut chicken soup are the best in the city.”
“Yum. I’ll have both and fried spring rolls, please.” I grin. “But I do have one follow-up question. Why is the papaya jealous?”
He gives a slight shake of his head. “I’m not sure. I’ve never thought to ask.”