Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Luca chuckles. “If it helps in any way, he’s not engaged to Britta anymore. It was a mistake he made when he was young, and he’s had trouble correcting it. I sometimes worry that woman is holding something over his head.”
I ignore that part. The other thing he said is much more important. Ivy is here? “So you’re telling me I can drag Ivy into what will likely be my multitudinous battles with Reid? And it doesn’t matter. I’m not getting involved with him, but it is good to know he wasn’t cheating, and I will apologize for the remark.”
“Drag Ivy in as much as you like. She’ll enjoy the fight. Simply keep Ani out of it. She’ll be torn, and she has other things to worry about. This project is everything to her,” Luca says softly.
“I’ll talk to him,” I promise. “We’ll find a way to make this work. And honestly, even a show about renovations can use some drama. At least I think it can.”
Before he can answer there’s a knock on the door and then Anika is walking in, followed by Ivy. My besties are dressed in cocktail gowns, looking all gorgeous and glowy.
“I heard you were here.” Anika’s expression goes tight as she looks from me to Luca. “Is everything okay?”
This is why Luca brought me in here. She’s already nervous, already anxious about the project. She’s gone through so much change in a short time. I’m not going to make this harder for her. She could easily have found someone with more experience. If my friend wants me here, I’m going to do the best job I can. I’m going to enjoy being here for her first big project.
Isn’t this what we asked for when we sat in Banover Place? To be together while we built something for ourselves? I’m not sure I’m really building anything, but I can get into togetherness.
Damn. I am not going to cry. I notice Reid and Jeremiah hovering outside the door. Reid stares in like he’s surprised I’m still here.
“No problem at all. I came by because I realized I didn’t have to work as late as I thought.” There’s no time like the present to start this war of ours. “Reid protested my clothing.”
He snorts and then sighs as though he knows this is inevitable. “Sure. Well, Harper, the invitation clearly stated no steel-toed boots.”
I give my besties a shrug. “I came straight from a site. I had to go out to Jersey and check on the new build because I’m pretty sure my cousin is trying to see if sabotage can help his case. I thought I would miss…” I have no idea what is being served for dinner except what I picked up from Luca. I have no idea what kind of roast they’re enjoying. “…all the meat. You know how much I love meat. So I didn’t stop to change, and I offended Reid with my impoverished state of dress. His words, not mine.”
Reid groans. “Yes, I called you impoverished. I now know that I must accept all forms of dress so I’m not an elitist douchebag. Can we have dinner now?”
“You can be fussy about clothes,” Jeremiah begins.
His brother sends him a look that has him backing down.
“We’re sure everything’s okay?” Anika looks from me to Luca like she senses something went down.
I give her my brightest smile and walk right up to Reid, threading my arm through his. Like we don’t hate each other. Like we can totally get along and not dream at night of killing the other. Like those dreams don’t include other things that I will never admit, maybe even to myself. “We’re good. We have some differing opinions, but that’s the nature of collaboration.” I look up at Reid, who hasn’t tried to move away from me. His arm tightens around mine. “Thanks for the invite, coworker.”
“You’re welcome,” he says as everyone starts to move out of the office, “pain in my ass.”
I let him lead me out.
The name fits, so I don’t argue with him. I’m about to be a massive pain in his ass, and I feel pretty good about it.
Chapter Eleven
“Do you want a drink?” Reid asks as he returns from closing the door behind Ivy and Heath. Anika and Luca left an hour before since they were still dealing with jet lag, but Ivy stuck around as though she wanted to watch over me. Or was waiting for the façade of politeness to crack and the real fight to begin.
She finally gave up and I agreed with Reid earlier in the evening that we should talk when everyone left, so here I am in his Upper East Side palace of an apartment at midnight and I’m oddly anxious about the potential of being alone with him since I heard Jeremiah say something about going out.