Page 58 of Five Days to Be Mine

The bouquet of gardenias that I brought with me in the backseat gives the car a pleasant smell mixed with leather. It's kind of yummy.

My phone chirps on the dash, but I ignore it.

I can see the impressive Hugo Hotel and I switch lanes to get into the hotel parking lot.

Evan had texted me earlier this afternoon, asking about dinner plans and I hadn't had a chance to respond, though I did send him a text saying I was leaving.

As fun as it was to help Alex and be back in a florist shop, my feet are aching and I'm definitely going to skip the heels tonight. I park the car, double check that I'm in between the lines, grab my phone, purse and the bouquet and find my way into the lobby.

My phone buzzes with a text.

Finishing up a meeting at the restaurant in the dining room, come up when you’re here.

I press the button for the elevator in the lush lobby, feeling like an imposter. I hit the floor for Sinful Bites and it gives me a kind of thrill to be here again. I know I tried to tell Evan I didn’t like it and I couldn’t pull off that lie because the truth is, this place is dripping with luxury. I can't believe I'm here.

The elevator shoots up to the restaurant floor without any interruption and the doors whiz open.

I don’t know what time the restaurant opens for service, but staff are setting the tables.

It’s an impressive space; dark panelled walls, elegant lighting, and beautiful loveseats break up the rows of chairs.

I’m blushing as I walk through to the dining room, the pair of closed bamboo doors an elegant addition to the room instead of being out of place.

The night I was here with my former bosses, Evan told me that he had to change the seating because he wanted to wrap his arms around me and the arms on the chairs didn’t let him do that, though they were great for bondage and I blush, as I notice beautiful curved two seater sofas.I tap on the door before opening.

“Come in.”

Evan is sitting with his back to me, a coffee mug to his left, a stack of papers spread out on the table. My heart does that fluttery thing it does when I see him and I can't wait to cup his smooth-shaven face in my palms.

I need to apologize for accidentally scratching him again.

He shrugged it off as not being a big deal, but I haven't been able to stop seeing that flash of pain across his face all day.

He glances over his shoulder at me with his phone pressed to his ear, his face lights up with a smile. I can swallow my doubts at this moment, because the way he’s looking at me, making that little beckoning motion with his hand, leaves no doubt that he likes the sight of what just walked in his door.

“She’s going to wait until her new business is up and running and then come after me for everything she can. She’s a bitch, Noel, you know that.”

My throat closes up for a moment but Evan rises from his chair and his eyes go to the bouquet I'm holding. He frowns.

“I know you set me up with the best lawyers money can buy, but I wish you were back in the game to take this one.” Evan takes the flowers from my arms and puts them on a seat.“Okay, thanks, Noel.”

“That wasn’t about me?” I can’t hold back the wobble in my voice.

“No my beautiful princess, it wasn't.” Evan leans down to kiss me but stops, raises his eyebrows to someone at my back.

“Thirty minutes to service, Mr. Brennon.”

“Thanks, Dawn.” Evan stands, still holding my hand. “Did you want to have dinner, here?”

“Honestly, I’m a little beat. I didn’t plan on working in retail the full day. You still haven’t asked me about your car.”

His mouth quirks. “I trust that it’s fine, Mara. Are you fine?”

I glance down as he takes a step towards me and brushes his hands along my shoulders.

“My feet are sore. I’m a little tired, but I'm okay. I’m not sure if I want to hang out at the restaurant tonight.”

It feels intrusive. If Evan had gone with me to work today, it might have been fun for the first hour or so, but I'd feel like I had to do things differently.

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