Page 14 of Fourteen of a Kind

“I'm going with you to New York, sweetheart. We’re going to have so much fun. It’s been a while since we've spent some time alone together.”

I was going to kill my dad.

“Great. I’m happy you’re here.” A fake smile crossed my lips.

Sitting back in my seat, I pulled out my phone and texted my dad.

“You and I are going to have a serious discussion when I get back.”

“Don’t blame me. She insisted on going with you when I told her you were going.”

“Bullshit, Dad. You sent her as a babysitter.”

“Ella, I would—fine. I apologize. Don’t hate me too much. You know how much she loves spending time with you.”

“Bye, Dad.”

“Shaun, are you heading home?” Grandma Barb asked him.

Shaun furrowed his brows. “I have business in New York, Barb.”

“Oh, yes. That’s right. Ignore me. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“How come, Grandma?” I asked.

“Just one of those nights, darling.”

CHAPTER 5

Ella

We landed in New York, and Shaun’s car drove us to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

“Since it’s late, shall we grab some dinner?” Shaun asked as we checked in.

“Of course, darling.” Grandma Barb smiled.

“Sounds great, Shaun,” I said.

We stepped into the elevator. Shaun’s room was on the top floor, Grandma Barb’s was on the fifteenth floor, and mine was on the fourteenth. After freshening up, I met Shaun and my grandma at the restaurant. While we were having dinner, my phone pinged with a text from Simon.

“Want me to kick your dad’s ass?”

I laughed.

“Please, do. I was looking forward to being alone.”

“Consider it done, sweetheart.”

“What is so funny, darling?” my grandma asked.

“Oh, nothing. I just got a text from a friend at work,” I lied, picking up my wine glass.

After a wonderful meal, we all headed to our rooms for the night.

“Thanks, Shaun. I’ll see you back in California.” I kissed his cheek. “Have a safe flight home tomorrow afternoon.”

“Have fun lecturing.” He winked.

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