Page 52 of An Inconvenient Plan
She stepped back from the doorway, reeling from this unexpected visit. She’d never gotten back to him with any kind of counteroffer and hadn’t taken it too seriously.
Phillip walked past her, and then the second guard followed him in. Gosh, she didn’t know what to do with him. She had work to do.
She clasped her hands together. “I, um, need to get some work done. Can you give me an hour?”
“Of course! I should’ve called. I was being spontaneous.” He lowered his voice. “I’m impulsive that way.” He glanced around. “I’ll hang out in your parlor over here. I’ve got a book to read on my phone. Take your time.”
She smiled, liking that he was a reader. She didn’t know a lot of men who were. “What’re you reading?”
“Political thriller.”
“Cool. I won’t be long.” She dashed back to her office, not quite believing she was keeping a prince waiting, but work called and she had to answer.
An hour later, she emerged from her office with Rose tucked in her dog purse.
Phillip’s smile flashed white against his tanned skin and dark stubble. “I found a place for lunch and booked us a private room. It’s in Greenport, not far from here. We’ll still have time for a tour. Lunch is at twelve.”
What could she say? “That would be lovely. So, you’ve seen the parlor; this is my office.” She gestured to her office and he poked his head in.
“Nice,” he said.
She shut the door and locked it since they were going out. “This way to the dining room.” She showed him the downstairs—the long dining room, the large working kitchen, and the ballroom—before returning to the grand staircase in the front foyer. She led him up the stairs. “It’s mostly empty rooms up here that I use as dressing areas for the bridal party.” If Josh were here, he’d have a conniption that she was going upstairs with a man. But Phillip was merely interested in the mansion for business purposes and, as she showed him around, he admired the historic touches like the crown molding and ceiling frescoes, as well as some of the antique furniture original to the home.
From there, they took a brief walking tour of Main Street as she pointed out the different businesses, shops, and restaurants. Josh was probably behind the bar at Garner’s. Even if he didn’t notice her giving the prince a tour, she was sure some of the locals would be sure to spread the word. She wasn’t about to risk a confrontation at Garner’s between the two men, so she didn’t stop by.
“And that’s basically everything,” she said. “Beyond Main Street it’s just houses, a few churches, and the schools.”
“It’s all very charming,” Phillip said. “Like you.”
“Oh.” She laughed. “Thank you.”
“My car’s parked behind Ludbury House.” They headed back that way. “Are you single, Hailey?”
She glanced up at him, surprised by the question. Was he interested in her? Hewasvery warm and friendly. Not that long ago she would’ve been over the moon that her fantasy man might want her, but now she was all tangled up with Josh. Could she say Josh was her boyfriend? She wasn’t sure where she stood with him. They’d had one date, sex, another fight, and a half-hearted apology, where he acted like he was in the right and she was being difficult. She mentally shook a fist at Josh.Why are you such an impossible man?
“I’ve stumped her,” Phillip said with a smile.
She laughed. “It’s complicated.”
“Then we’ll keep it simple and just enjoy each other’s company. I’m done with meetings this week. I’ll be staying locally so I can fully experience your charming town. I booked an entire bed and breakfast for me and the guards. It’s not far from here.”
She pasted on a smile, wondering what in the world she was going to do with him if he kept popping up all week. “Wow. You must really love it here.”
“Truth is, I’m bored in my hotel room in the city, and you’re a delight.”
She flushed at the compliment. “You’re good company too.”
The week flew by. She only got a few texts from Josh saying,Sup!!!and then they abruptly stopped. He remembered to use an exclamation point—three for extra sarcasm—to indicate excitement with her. Not exactly a love sonnet. It was weird that she hadn’t heard from him much this week, but she figured he was busy with the plans to take over Garner’s and start construction. She was busy too. She saw Phillip every day. She’d worried at first how she was going to get any work done, but he made it easy by showing up at noon to take her to lunch at some posh restaurant or another. After lunch, they’d take a walk with Rose, and then he’d drop her off back at work. His guards went everywhere with them, blending into the background. It was all very pleasant and friendly. Today was Friday and they went together to visit Princess Silvia at Yale to firm up the wedding details. It was only a forty-minute drive from Clover Park. Now Phillip had to return to the city.
She told him goodbye as they left Yale, heading to where they’d each parked. “I hope you enjoyed your visit.”
Phillip took her hand and kissed the back of it in his gallant way. “It was lovely. The fun doesn’t have to end just because I’m going back to the Big Apple. I booked the private top floor of a club for Saturday night in the city. Invite your friends. It’ll be a blast.”
“Is it okay if they bring someone too? A lot of my friends are engaged or married now.”
“Absolutely. Everyone needs a night out to let loose, even those old married fogies.”
She laughed. “Okay, I’ll spread the word.”
