Total pages in book: 235
Estimated words: 224334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1122(@200wpm)___ 897(@250wpm)___ 748(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 224334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1122(@200wpm)___ 897(@250wpm)___ 748(@300wpm)
“All any father wants is for their daughter to be taken care of,” Joseph says, offering a hand. “I believe you’ll do good.”
I shake, firm and manly, making sure he knows how dedicated I am. I read him well. “It’s my full-time job.” I blink, surprised, when Ava bursts into laughter, and I turn an interested look her way. She knows I’m serious.
“Come here, you silly sod.” Elizabeth claims Ava, pulling her away from me, and hugs her. I grit my teeth for her, feeling her pain, as her mum whispers in her ear, words of encouragement and support, I hope.
I look at Joseph. He rolls his eyes. “Right, are we eating or what?” he asks. “And I’m gagging for a pint.”
“Do you mind if I use your bathroom, Jesse?” Elizabeth asks. I don’t know her well, but I can see she’s just gagging to look around. I’ll indulge her.
“Sure.” I motion to the doorway. “Do a right and an immediate right again. Knock yourself out.”
“Pardon?”
I smile when Ava laughs, thrown back weeks to that Friday she walked into my office. “I’m sorry. Go for it. Like I said, right and right again. By the gym.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“So, what do you drive?” Joseph asks as I get Ava back, closer, putting her between my legs. I watch for Joseph’s reaction and get nothing. It’s a good sign.
“A DBS.”
His eyes light up. “Aston Martin?”
I nod, storing the information away for use later. He’s a petrol head. “That’s it.”
“Nice. And the hotel is in The Surrey Hills?”
“It is.” I look at the back of Ava’s head when she solidifies in my arms. “I’ll show you one day, perhaps on your next visit.” Like in a few weeks when we get married.
“Sure,” he muses, looking around the kitchen. “Elizabeth loves anything luxury.” Which is a massive advantage for me. “It’s a nice place you have here.”
“Thank you, but your daughter is responsible for that. I just bought it.”
“So, this is the big project that stole all of your time?” he asks Ava. “You did a good job.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She’s not relaxing in the least, so when I hear the door, I send her on her way to answer it, and she seems quite content with that.
“Who is it?” she asks, looking at me as she wanders off.
“I don’t know. Go and see.” I give my attention to Joseph. “That’ll be Kate, Sam, and Dan.”
“Oh, Kate. It will be nice to see her. Who’s Sam?”
“One of my best friends.”
He nods, taking another look around. “Ava designed all this?” he muses, clearly impressed. “I knew she was a talented girl, but this is something else.”
“Talented and really driven.”
He laughs. “And stubborn?”
“Yes,” I gasp, so relieved to hear he’s aware of the challenges I face.
“Well, you’re in for a ride, let me assure you of that.”
I laugh as a guy wanders into my kitchen, and I discreetly weigh him up. Ava’s brother. Older than her. A good-looking bloke. “Dad,” Dan says, bypassing me on the stool and greeting his old man.
“Hey, kid.” Joseph gives him an affectionate hug and then motions to me. “This is Jesse.”
Dan turns to me, all smiles, and offers his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Face to face,” I say, making sure it’s remembered we’ve spoken, and Ava’s parents clearly know because they knew Ava had moved in. Fuck, not liking her brother isn’t ideal. But I’ve got to try. I take his hand and smile mildly when he holds it with a firm hand. He’s not going to be the first to release. For fuck’s sake, I’m too old for this game. He can have the win, but only because I know Ava will freak the fuck out if she smells some animosity between us. So I smile, pulling back until he releases me.
“My man,” Sam’s voice is a godsend.
“This is Sam Kelt,” I say, motioning to Dan. “Ava’s brother.”
Sam nods, Dan nods. I get the feeling Kate’s already introduced them. And I get the feeling Dan’s not all too keen on Sam either. Does he like anyone?
“Hi, Joseph,” Kate says, moving in on Ava’s dad and giving him a hug he’s not all too comfortable with.
“Her brother’s a bit hostile,” Sam says, moving into my side.
“He doesn’t like me.” It’s a fact. “Want a drink?” I go to the fridge and pull out a bottle of champagne and some beers, making sure one lands in Joseph’s hand first and Ava’s brother’s hand last.
“You’re not drinking?” Dan asks.
“I want a clear head,” I reply, offhand, smiling, relishing his obvious displeasure.
“For when you propose,” he says, too loudly for my liking.
I grit my teeth discreetly and find Ava with Kate and Elizabeth across the kitchen looking more relaxed. “Look,” I say, moving a little closer to him, making sure I’m out of Joseph’s earshot, and everyone else for that matter. “You’ve made it clear you don’t like me.”