Page 29 of Her Every Fantasy

She grimaced. ‘I can’t.’

About to turn away, I froze, unsettledby the deep disappointment slashing me. ‘Why not?’

‘I’m about a day behind on the installation for the showroom so I’m working on it all day, then having dinner with my investors.’

‘Don’t you have people for that?’

She shook her head. ‘Relying on others is the reason I’m in this position.’

I wanted to ask her whether she meant specifically or generally but, hell, my brain hadn’t quite righted itself after that incredible blow job and, frankly, I wasn’t in the headspace for another deep dive into the past or, heaven forbid, another probe into strained relationships with my family. My skin tightened in recollection of what she’d said about Graciela.

My sister was the only one who knew just how fucked up I’d been for a long time over our parents. She alone knew about the letters we’d written separately to our parents. She’d shared that knife-edge’s experience of waiting for several empty months for a response. And then that final death blow when it’d arrived.

Graciela had never shown me the contents of her letter but the stark horror on her face, one I was sure reflected my own, had said it all.

We’d never spoken about it in the intervening two decades.

That she’d taken now to start probing that scab every time we were within talking distance was a situation I’d grown increasingly weary of.

And while I hated to admit it, that was the reason I avoided her like the plague.

‘Bryce?’

Savvie was frowning at me. I pushed thoughts of my sister and buried wounds away. ‘You’re not planning on making those installations yourself, are you? Because I’m sure it contravenes a few leasing clauses.’

Her lips twisted impatiently. ‘Of course not. But I still need to be on-site, check and double-check the inventory. Often the vision of a set-up changes once equipment is slotted into place. It’s easier to make changes during set-up than when it’s done. Less expensive too, which is better for my investors since I’m working on a budget.’

A peculiar little thread in her voice brought me up short. ‘Everything okay with the investors?’

She blinked, then glanced away, but not before I caught a hint of worry in her eyes. ‘It’s fine.’

I caught her chin in my hands, directed her gaze to mine. ‘Talk to me, Savvie.’

She held it for several seconds before she shrugged. ‘Last quarter’s sales weren’t stellar. I haven’t reached the everything-is-riding-on-this-launch stage yet, and I’d like to avoid getting there if possible.’

I bit my tongue against asking if that was why she chose The Sylph. Whatever her motive for reconnecting with me would reveal itself soon enough. As long as I kept messy emotions out of it, it didn’t really matter. ‘If I can’t take you out tomorrow, can we meet on Sunday? You’re not planning on working all weekend, are you?’

‘Of course not. Sunday’s fine.’

‘Great. There are a few more things I want to discuss about this arrangement.’

One sleek eyebrow lifted. ‘And you can’t tell me now?’

‘It can wait till Sunday. It’s almost midnight and I have to call London before I crash.’

She got that stubborn light in her eyes, but then gave up after a beat. I didn’t want to admit my relief as I walked her back into the lift and out to the car. As much as I loved Savvie’s spunk it was a challenge to tussle with her when I wasn’t firing on all cylinders. And everything that had happened since I’d answered her call today had sent me off-kilter.

And yes, a part of me wanted her waiting with bated breath for me.

‘Where are you staying?’ I asked when she belted in.

‘I’m renting an apartment at Triona One. It’s—’

‘I know where it is.’ The revelation that she was three short streets from my own apartment triggered another pulse-racing frenzy and visions of sleepless nights where I was plagued with her proximity.

Fucking hell.

‘Why not a hotel?’ There were several five-star hotels in and around Marina Bay, the world-famous Raffles Hotel a case in point.

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