Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
I’ve only stepped foot in a Liore Lingerie store once. It was days after I arrived in the city. I went in to pick out a few new bras and panties for my life in Manhattan, and left with a bag of their merchandise that had been marked down for final sale.
I suspect it was all clearance because the new season’s offerings were on their shelves, but even with the deeply discounted prices, it still cost me a few hundred dollars.
I haven’t been back since.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, although I’m forever grateful she did.
My personal swimwear collection consists of two mismatched bikinis and a yellow one piece I’ve had since I was a teenager. None of that looks great on my body.
“Liore just launched their newest swimwear line,” she tells me. “I was at their spring show in London. I got to see it all from the front row.”
Despite my mom’s constant reminders when I was young that jealousy is unbecoming, I can’t help but feel a stab of envy knowing Lottie was at a fashion show in London just a few months ago.
“When I started looking through my swimsuits for our beach getaway, I remembered all of their cute suits, so I went on an online shopping spree for us.”
“Thank you, Lottie.”
This time, she gives me her full attention. “You’re welcome. I think you’ll love what I picked for you.”
“I know I will,” I say honestly. “I’ll pack a few sundresses and sandals.”
“Don’t forget sunscreen.” She glances at a group of kids running on a path. “I had no idea I’d love Central Park this much, or New York, for that matter.”
“It’s easy to fall in love with this city.”
She glances in my direction. “It’s also easy to fall in love in this city.”
“You’re the expert on that.” I tap my plastic lemonade cup against the side of hers. “You not only fell in love in this city, you’re getting married here soon.”
“So soon.” Her smile lights up her entire face. “Speaking of that, let’s go shop for wedding shoes.”
I slide to my feet at the exact moment she does. “You already bought us shoes to wear for the wedding. It was in Paris, remember?”
She taps a finger in the middle of her forehead. “Right. I forgot. Let’s buy shoes for the rehearsal dinner.”
“I have shoes I can wear.” I take hold of her hand. “You’ve already done so much for me.”
“They’re just shoes, Evie.” She grabs me for a big hug before stepping back to look into my eyes. “Let’s compromise.”
I smile. “Compromise? How?”
“I’ll look for shoes for the rehearsal dinner, and you’ll give me your honest opinion on which ones you like best.”
I don’t know how that’s a compromise, but I’m in. I have nothing going on tonight, so tagging along on her shoe shopping spree sounds like fun.
She circles an arm around my waist before I can take a step down the path leading out of the park. “If you happen to find a pair of shoes that you can’t live without, you’ll let me buy them for you. Deal?”
I haven’t known Lottie long, but I do know that arguing with her will only result in me losing whatever the battle is. “Deal.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Reid
Talk about a week from hell.
Three deals we’ve been chasing for months all came together in the past five days. That meant hours upon hours spent in meetings and away from my desk.
In other words, I only had a few minutes each day to stare at Evie and no chance to discuss how we’ll handle this weekend.
I hoped to do that before we left the office today, but when I returned from a late afternoon meeting, her desk was unoccupied. Baden sauntered off the elevator to tell me that Evie asked to leave an hour and a half early, and since I was in the middle of an intense negotiation, he gave her the go-ahead.
Baden came bearing an invitation from Vance and him. They wanted to go to Nova for dinner tonight to celebrate the week, but I’m bound for East Hampton.
Randall arranged for a van to drive us up at noon, but I opted out of that circus on wheels by arranging for Basil to take me after I finished at the office for the day.
I could tell by his expression when I asked that he had other plans, so I sent him a bonus that was four times his regular monthly salary. I did that while he was standing in front of me, so I got to witness the joy radiating from his smile when he spotted the text message from his bank alerting him to the deposit.
I’ll have accounting work out the details on Monday.
“Do you want me to pick you up on Sunday, sir?” Basil asks as we near the beach house that I spent two weeks at when I was a kid.