Total pages in book: 194
Estimated words: 183150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 916(@200wpm)___ 733(@250wpm)___ 611(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 183150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 916(@200wpm)___ 733(@250wpm)___ 611(@300wpm)
He lifts himself from the couch, approaching me with his hand stretched out. Thank God! I take it, letting him gently shake it. Did he really just drag me here to ask me to dinner? He could have called me.
‘I shall endeavor to email you at my earliest opportunity. Once I return from Denmark, I would like to show you around the building. Until then, you can draft some schemes. I’ve had the drawings sent to your office, and I’ll email you the specifics.’
‘Thank you, Mikael. Enjoy your trip.’
‘Goodbye, Ava.’ His long legs take him out of the snug.
Well, that was uncomfortable. I sit and finish my water while deliberating over my current emotional turmoil. If Jesse was as gracious as Mikael, then I wouldn’t be feeling so shitty right now. Never mixing business and pleasure has never been a rule because I’ve never had to make one. In the space of two weeks, I’ve had two wealthy and very handsome clients pursue me. One I’ve declined, the other I‘ve caved in on. And, as a result, I’m all over the place. Not mixing business and pleasure is now a firm rule and one I intend to stick to. Not that I need to reinforce it. Mikael took my decline rather graciously and Jesse hasn’t called since abandoning me. Abandoning?
By two thirty, I’m back in the office. I don’t mention to Patrick the strangeness of my meeting with Mikael Van Der Haus, mainly because I’m concerned that, in the name of business, he’ll demand I go to dinner with him. Patrick will assume it would be a business dinner, but Mikael made it perfectly clear that there would be no business involved. Instead, I just mention emails, drawings and his intention to show me the building upon his return from Denmark. This seems to keep him happy.
I get my phone from my bag, noting no missed calls. I ignore the pang of disappointment and start making a few notes on Scandinavian design. I know I’ll be basing my design around clean, white, easy living, but I’m comforted by the fact that it will be tranquil and warm, not sparse and cold.
My phone rings and I grab it, way too hastily. It’s Kate.
‘Hi.’ I greet in an over the top, chirpy voice. I don’t know why I bother. She sees straight through it.
‘Faking detachment, are we?’ she asks.
‘Yes.’
‘I thought so. Have you not heard from him?’
‘No.’
‘Liking monosyllables today, huh?’
‘Yes.’
She sighs heavily down the phone. ‘Whatever. Have you asked Victoria and Gayboy if they’re up for Saturday night?’
‘No. I will, though. I’ve just got back from a very strange meeting.’ I open my top drawer to grab a paperclip, noticing the calla lily squished down the side of my stapler.
‘Strange how?’ She’s intrigued.
‘I went to meet the developer of Lusso, well, one of them. He asked me to dinner. It was really uncomfortable.’ I grab the lily and chuck it in the bin quickly.
She laughs down the phone at me. ‘How old is this one?’
I bristle at her insinuation. He’s much older than Jesse. How much older is unknown, but he’s definitely older. I’ll probably never know now, though. ‘Mid-forties I guess, but extremely handsome, in a Scandinavian kinda way.’ I shrug to myself while guiding my mouse aimlessly around the screen. He’s nowhere near Jesse’s league, but he’s handsome, nonetheless.
‘You’re like a mature man magnet at the moment. Are you going?’
‘No!’ I screech. ‘Why would I?’
‘Why not?’ I can’t see her, but I know she has a questioning eyebrow arched.
‘No, I can’t, because I have a new rule…no mixing business with pleasure.’
‘MOVE!’ she screams, making me jump at my desk. ‘Sorry, some prat just cut me up. No mixing business with pleasure, ah?’
‘Yes. Are you driving and talking on your mobile, Miss Matthews?’ I challenge her. I know Margo doesn’t have a hands free kit.
‘Yeah, I’d better beat feet. See you at home. And don’t forget to tell Gay boy and Victoria the plans for Saturday.’
‘What are the plans?’ I blurt before she hangs up.
‘Get drunk, Baroque, eight o’clock.’
Get drunk. Yes, that’s a very good plan.
I leave the office at six with Tom and Victoria. ‘Saturday night, Guys?’
Tom stops abruptly, dramatically putting his palms out with a shocked expression on his smooth, baby face.
‘Oh my God, yes! I brought the most amazing coral shirt at lunch time. It’s divine!’
Victoria giggles, slapping his arse to push him onwards. ‘Where are we going?’ she asks.
‘Baroque at eight.’ I answer. ‘We’ll see where the night takes us.’
‘I’m in!’ Victoria sings at me. ‘But no gay joints, Tom. It’s my turn to pull.’ she grumbles
Tom frowns. ‘What about me?’
‘You’ve had your feed. It’s my turn,’ she spits, ‘Besides, what about the scientist?’
‘You know, science is actually very boring.’ he grumbles.
We say our goodbyes at Green Park Station. I take Jubilee to Central, while Victoria and Tom hop on Piccadilly.