Page 55 of Mail Order Valentine (Hawthorne Billionaire 2)

My mother had sent at least ten of the twenty plus text messages, mostly prompting me to handle Asher. If she only knew. The other texts were Hawthorne family business related. I checked my watch. My meeting with the contractors and engineers wasn’t for another three hours, but I did have phone calls to take care of and projects back in New York, not to mention the China hotels breaking ground in the next six months. My meetings there in three days still needed my attention. I stood looking out over the city with the sun beginning to rise and decided I’d like to take a walk. I’d really enjoyed it with Imogen. I shot a text to Halima to have the cook in my suite in an hour.

“Do you know what you want for this morning’s breakfast, Mr. Hawthorne?”

“Bacon, eggs, and maybe toast will be fine, but message Gunner and Imogen to see what they want.”

“I’ve already messaged them both, Sir. I sent two of your suits up for your meeting today.”

“What would I do without you, Halima?”

“I do not know sir, but I will be here all day for you as always.”

“Thank you.”

The trackies from yesterday had been washed and replaced in my closet, so I slipped it on and tied my sand shoes. I was halfway to the elevator when I heard a voice call out from the living room.

“Are you trying to go out practicing your walking? Because yesterday was a fluke. I had jet lag.” Imogen walked toward me with her colorful trackies from yesterday.

“As I recall, I don’t need practice, I won. Should I show you how my victory dance went again?” I threw my hands up in the air and started jumping up and down doing my Rocky imitation. “It looks to me like you were about to go practice though.”

“Nah, I didn’t have anything else to wear and these flowers are starting to get to me.” She looked back toward the hallway. “Besides, it’s cold out, so I was just lounging on the couch.”

“Okay, Imogen I’m ready to go.” Gunner joined us near the elevator, adjusting his ski cap over his ears.

We both laughed at the “What?” look on Gunner’s face when he finally looked up to find us both there.

“Hey, you joining us for a walk, Mr. Hawthorne?” Gunner asked.

I crossed my arms over my chest and looked to Imogen. “So, you were just lounging on the couch, were you?”

“Fine! I’m going out for a walk or a jog if I feel like it, but not to try to beat you,” she answered with her hands on her hips. “I couldn’t sleep, and you don’t really know me yet, but I like to stay busy.”

“Fair enough, let’s go for a walk together then,” I offered, pushing the elevator button. “Gunner, if you would rather not go, I can handle taking care of your girl.”

Gunner looked at me like I had five heads. Apparently, he takes his job very seriously, which I appreciate. The elevator doors opened.

“On second thought, I would prefer you joined us. This one needs to be watched at all times.”

Chapter 41

IMOGEN

Iwoke with the sensation I was late. Before my eyes had focused, I was trying to figure out if it was work, or my morning visit to the senior facility or,…

Then I blinked and realized I didn’t recognize the bedroom I was in. In the split second it took to view the unfamiliar bedposts, the windows all in the wrong place, and the all-white décor, the events of the past few days flashed through my mind like a silent movie. The memories were a little fuzzy. I didn’t know where I was or when Brice would burst through the door. I groaned and buried my face in the pillows until I sat up suddenly and brushed back my tangled hair from my face, then stood to get out of bed. It had all come rushing back.

“I’ll miss you, amazing bed, but I’ll be back tonight.” I swirled as I crossed the room to the bathroom.I’m finally free of Brice.

Last night had been good being in Asher’s company. I was excited to see how today would be. I paused in front of the bathroom sink to pin up my hair for putting on the wig, only to remember that Asher had said to just be comfortable. I ran a brush through my own dirty blonde hair.

Asher likes the red as much as I do. Maybe I’ll just dye it red.

Face rinsed, teeth brushed, I went to the massive closet to find something to wear. The

The trackies I had worn yesterday for the walk had been washed and placed back in the closet. Looking across the room I saw the sun just beginning to rise. The freshly washed trackie called to me to take it for a walk.

“Alright, my tacky sweat suit. You get one more spin around the block, then retirement,” I told the flowered outfit laying on the shelf minding its own business. “I wonder if we can go out by ourselves this morning?”

Once I was dressed and had the matching sand shoes on, I tiptoed out into the hall, hoping to sneak out. I didn’t get past the kitchen when a deep voice said “good morning”. I’d been caught and we both knew it.

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