Page 61 of The Surrender

I tilt my head. “Mr. Lombardy?”

“Yes.” She smiles. “Mr. Lombardy. He said you’re a breath of fresh air. Obviously, I agree.”

“Well, thanks.” Does this mean he’s bringing his business my way? “I appreciate that.”

“He also mentioned that he said we met on the golf course.”

I press my lips together. “He did? I don’t recall.”

Sue nods mildly, obviously seeing through the dummy persona I’m feigning. I’m smart. She knows it. “He got mixed up. It was an anniversary party.”

Because you play golf with your husband.“Men,” I huff, rolling my eyes, and Sue laughs, loud and over the top. She came here to get her story straight?

“Anyway, he’ll be in touch about getting the paperwork drafted.”

“Oh, that’s great.”

“Look after him, okay?”

My nose scrunches, as I think about all the ways Sue looks after Leo and Leo looks after Sue. “Of course.”

She closes the door behind her, and I sink deeper into my chair on an exhale. So much was said in that conversation without being said. I need caffeine.

I get up to grab my fourth coffee of the morning already, opening a message from Jude as I go. It’s a picture. I smile at the empty side of his bed.

Not a fan.

I call him, needing a pick-me-up. His voice will help. It’s been a long day already and it’s not even ten. This isn’t sustainable if my brain is going to keep functioning.

His gruff voice answers, and I shake off the shivers. “You’re still in bed, aren’t you?”

“Do you want me to lie?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“I’ve been up since six, worked out, ate, showered, read a ton of maintenance reports from the groundsman, approved the summer menu, discussed the expansion of the golf course with the resort manager, and signed off on endless invoices.”

“How productive.”

He groans, and I just know his gorgeous, naked body is stretching out in the bed as he does. Lord have mercy.

“Shit,” he breathes. “That’s my list of things to do today. We need to have a chat about acceptable levels of indulgence on weekdays.”

I laugh. “Happy to. Will you listen this time?”

“No.”

I roll my eyes and slip a cup under the machine, hitting the button that’ll give me a double espresso. “How do we manage this?” I ask. “I’m good for nothing, and I have targets to reach if I’m going to hit my goal.”

“You know, you could go it alone.”

I get my coffee and head back. “You mean in business? Why would I?”

“Because every penny you make would go into your pocket, not to LB&B Finance Group.”

“I have a noncompete clause. I can’t just walk out and take all my clients with me.”

“What if you don’t have to?”