Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Good morning to you, too, sir. Someone’s in a cheerful mood. Did you secure the Gatlin account?”
Of course, she attributed my high spirits to a professional win. “Haven’t heard back from them yet,” I replied, and Therese’s eyebrows rose.
“So, your good mood isn’t attributable to anything in particular?”
“Ah,” I smirked. “I never said that.” I closed my office door before she could question me further. Ada was right. Keeping things to ourselves for a couple weeks was a smart idea. It gave us time to find a rhythm with one another before letting anyone else’s opinions in.
By mid-morning, I was already craving her company, and unable to wait until after work to see her, I sent a short text.
Jonathan: Lunch?
Her reply came soon after.
Ada: Yes, please :-)
Smiling to myself, I slid my phone back in my pocket and tried to focus on my next client meeting. At lunch, I made Ben stop off at the same place from last time, ordering sandwiches to bring to Ada. When I arrived at Pinebrook and emerged from the car, sandwiches and coffees in hand, I felt eyes on me.
Stepping inside, the reception desk was empty, the middle-aged blonde woman who normally manned it nowhere to be seen. Deciding Ada probably wouldn’t mind if I headed straight to her office, I stepped inside and immediately ran into three grey-haired women who blocked my path.
“Well, if it isn’t Ada’s fancy man,” one of them announced. “Back again, are we?”
“Someone’s keen,” another commented.
“Of course, he’s keen. Our Ada’s a rare gem,” the third one said, eyeing me up and down as though trying to decide if I passed muster.
Amused, I shot them a congenial smile, “Ladies, I take it you’re all having a pleasant day?”
The first one who spoke tittered. “Oh yes, even lovelier now that you’re here.”
“Well, it’s an absolute delight to make your acquaintance …”
“Jackie,” she finished, smiling wide.
“Jackie,” I repeated just as the young bloke who’d been at the quiz night appeared. The same guy I suspected had a thing for Ada. A tendril of possessiveness took hold, and I had to remind myself he wasn’t a threat. After all, it was my bed she’d woken up in that morning, not to mention she stated outright that she wasn’t into younger men.
“Now, now, you lot. Leave the nice gentleman alone,” he said, before glancing at me. His gaze surveyed me as though making up his mind about something. “Ada’s in her office.”
“Thanks,” I said and moved to leave when he said, “Hey.”
I turned back. “Yes?”
Something passed over his features, an internal conflict perhaps, before he blurted, “Be good to her, yeah?”
My eyebrows lifted. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected him to say, but it wasn’t that. So, I was right about him having a thing for her, though by the looks of it, he’d resigned himself to the fact that it was never going to happen. I met his gaze directly. “Of course,” I replied and then continued on my way.
When I reached Ada’s office, I found her buried in work. “Come in,” she said, standing from her desk and coming around to press a kiss to my cheek. Not satisfied, I caught her lips in mine before she had the chance to move away, and a short gasp left her. Dropping the paper bag and coffees on her desk, I wound my arms about her waist and pulled her body into me.
“Missed you,” I growled, savouring the soft press of her lips. I was addicted to her taste, unable to stop craving it all day.
“I missed you, too,” she replied, breathless as she broke away. “Oh, you brought food. Thank you so much.” She lifted one of the coffee cups, opening the lid to inspect it before replacing it and taking a sip. “Mm, so good.” She cast me a glance. “How are you? I hope you didn’t have to cancel any meetings to drive out here.”
“No cancelled meetings. My day was less busy than usual. How about you?” I asked as she quietly passed me my sandwich before unwrapping her own.
“Well,” she began. “I haven’t received any calls from Head Office yet, so it’s still up in the air whether Cathal decided to make his complaint or not. Right now, I’m just trying to focus on the budget for the residents’ next day trip.”
“What sort of day trip?” I queried.
“I’d been hoping to bring them to Powerscourt so they could see the waterfall and maybe have a picnic, but my budget isn’t stretching to what it would cost to hire a coach. We might have to take them somewhere closer to home.”
“An acquaintance of mine owns a coach company. He actually owes me a favour, so I could call it in, see if he’ll give you a deep discount.”
Her face brightened. “Really? Oh, that would be great. I’m pretty sure they’re all sick of being taken to the local garden centre. It’d be so good to go somewhere different.”