Chapter 15
London
He’s the one who knows his father best. Well, except for Mr. Blackthorn himself of course, but I can’t ask him right now.
“And how can I help with that?” he asks.
“Your father will give a speech, and I’m supposed to make sure he gets a proper farewell. I’ve planned several things, but I’m not entirely sure if he’ll like them. I can still cancel or swap things out.”
That’s the upside of having a practically unlimited budget—you can buy almost anything.
“What have you planned?”
“Well, your father said it shouldn’t be anything big, and if it is, then it should be something everyone enjoys. Everyone should have fun.” I sigh. “Alcohol. Lots of alcohol. Private taxis.”
“Yes, good. What else?”
“I managed to book Franky.” The famous comedian has always made my boss laugh.
“Oh, great, he loves him”
“He’ll do about thirty minutes of his new set. A band will also play your father’s favorite songs. There’ll be entertainers—men and women—getting people out on the dance floor. They’ll set the mood.”
“That all sounds great. Anything else?”
“Yes, I’m considering hiring Bonny Barns.”
“The country singer?”
“Yes, your father’s a big fan. She’d have to be flown in, though, and I need to decide now. She charges ￡300,000 plus flights, hotel, and extras.”
“For…?”
“Three songs, maybe thirty minutes on stage. Then she leaves.”
“Wow. I’d say book her privately some other time. He is a fan, but it would pull too much focus from the party.”
“Yes, that’s my concern too. The comedian’s already a big name, but at least everyone will enjoy him.”
“What about décor or food?”
“That stays as is. But I had a photo book printed with the best company pictures. A photographer’s been here the last two days, shooting the offices, the parking lot, his office during a break…”
“That’s really nice,” Alex says.
“The photo book will be ready tomorrow; I can pick it up after work.” I sigh softly. “If I’d had more time, I could’ve done more. Pulling this together in three days was exhausting. Then all the drama with you. God, I’m worn out.” But happy. I smile. “You’ll like the summer party.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Okay, then I’ll get back to work. I'm far from done. If you need me, just call.” I hurry out of his office back to my desk. Time to focus. The faster I work, the better the odds I’ll finish on time.
It works out reasonably well, at least. I stretch and glance at the clock. Only seventeen minutes overtime. Not bad.
I head back to my boss, who’s with Alexander in his office. As always, I ask if they need anything else, but they say no. So, I leave—this time without eavesdropping.
Thursday is packed, so I eat lunch at my desk.
On Friday morning, the phones don’t stop ringing. Just after 1:00, I finally shut down the computer and get ready for the party.
We’ve all earned this. Even though it doesn’t officially start until 3:00, plenty of people will already be there enjoying themselves.
“Do you want to drive there together?” Alexander asks, appearing at my desk.
“Your father’s being driven there in a limo. I’ll leave my car here for now. You’ll ride with us, right?”
“Perfect. Now we just need to get him out of his office. He really doesn’t want to leave.”
“I think I know why.” I sigh and step closer. “He’s probably saying goodbye to his office. He spent most of his working life there.” But I wouldn’t be the best PA if I hadn’t prepared. “She’s running a bit late, but she should be here any minute.”
“She? Who?”
“Your mother.” Alexander raises his eyebrows.
“My mother’s coming?”
“Yes, she usually accompanies him to public events, and she especially wanted to come today.”
“Do you two get along?”
“Yeah. Martha likes me.” I grin, maybe bragging a little.
“Martha. My mother—Martha Blackthorn.”
“Yes. Blonde bob, loves wearing white, bold gold earrings.” I point down the hall, where she’s already in view.
“Yoo-hoo!” calls Mrs. Blackthorn, beaming at me, which leaves Alexander speechless.
As she walks right toward me, he leans over and mutters, “My mother doesn’t like anyone. Especially not young women.”
“Then I must be the exception,” I say cheerfully, opening my arms just before she pulls me into a tight hug and kisses me on both cheeks.
“You look absolutely delightful today, Miss Waverley,” she gushes, placing her hands on my upper arms.
“That’s rich coming from you. Not many women can pull off white, but you’re radiant in it.”
“A summery dress would certainly flatter you too. Are you changing?” she asks.
“Yes, I brought a dress, but I’ll change there.”
“Hair down? You absolutely must. You should have some fun today. After all, you’ve endured three hard years.” She laughs, then turns to her son. “Well, aren’t you going to say hello?”
“I didn’t want to interrupt,” Alexander replies, giving her a brief hug.
“What do you think? Doesn’t your mother look chic?
” She laughs and spins once. Her skin-tight white dress has a square neckline with wide sleeves.
It falls to her knees and accentuates her firm ass.
She doesn’t look anywhere near fifty-two.
The matching hat—also white, of course—pairs perfectly with her clutch and earrings.
“Of course.”
“Aloof as always.” She rolls her eyes, then turns back to me. “He’s still in his office?” I nod. “You’re a psychic.”
I can’t help smiling.
“In five minutes, he’ll be out of there, or I’ll drag him across the floor.”
“If you need help…” I glance at Alex. “Your son’s pretty strong.”
“I can still handle him myself.” She laughs and clicks away on her heels, leaving me alone with Alex again. He stares at me in surprise.
“How did you pull that off?”
“What do you mean?”
“That my mother is so friendly with you.” He narrows his eyes skeptically. “Who are you?”
“I’m the mother-whisperer,” I joke with a wink. Then I step closer, lowering my voice into a playfully threatening tone. “And you wanted to fire me? What do you think would’ve happened if I’d told your mother about that?”
“Looks like someone’s got an ace up her sleeve?”
“Yeah, I’d say so!”
I reach for his tie and straighten it, tugging it a little tighter, which Alexander allows. “So be nice to me. You never know what a woman’s next move will be.”
“You seem to be full of secrets,” he replies with a slight smile.
“A secret is what makes a woman a real woman.”
“So, there’s only one to figure out?”
“Countless. New ones every day. That’s what makes talking to us exciting. We’re completely different from you men.” I adjust his suit, though there’s hardly anything to fix. “You can be read like an open book.”
“And what does mine say?” he asks, and his smile widens.
“Just because I know doesn’t mean I have to tell you.”
“But I am me. So, I know what’s written there.”
“But you don’t know how I interpret it.”
“Aren’t you curious?” he asks.
“That’s the real question.”
“I’d have an answer for you.”
“I know,” I play along, even though I’ve long forgotten what the point of the game was.
“Are you interpreting it right?”
“I did before you even knew the answer,” I tease, then step back. He studies me with an expression that’s equal parts curious and fascinated. And oh yeah, I like that.
Martha appears in the hallway outside Mr. Blackthorn’s office. A moment later Arthur follows. She slips her arm through his, and they approach us.
“Ready?” I ask Alexander, grabbing my bag.
“For mischief? Always.”
“That too.”
“What else?”
“It’s a secret.” We both laugh.
The four of us take the elevator down and as we exit the building, the first employees are already boarding the buses. Alexander walks me to my car because I want to grab my handbag from the trunk. He’s kind enough to carry it while my boss and his wife settle into the limo.
The small shuttle buses and taxis are already pulling out of the lot.
Alexander stands by the open limo door and offers me his hand so I can step in gracefully.
The moment we touch, an inexplicably intense warmth rushes through me.
I freeze for a moment and look at him, wondering what’s happening to me.
Oh wow. This feels dangerously good.
Alexander’s eyes lock on mine, and I realize I’ve been staring at him far too long. I force a quick smile and slide inside, hoping he didn’t notice my odd reaction. He hands my bag to the driver, who places it in the trunk.
I sit across from Mrs. Blackthorn, and shortly after Alexander joins me, taking the seat at my side. The driver closes the door and circles to the front.
During the ride, Mrs. Blackthorn chats to her husband.
She gushes about how he finally has more time for her, and how they can enjoy retirement together.
But I can clearly see his mind is still tethered to the company.
It’ll take time before he can fully embrace being just a husband emotionally—and at most, a consultant.
For now, at least, he humors her, while Alexander sits silently, gazing out the window.
We’re among the first to reach the Country Inn.
Here, outside of London, I pause a moment, taking in the peace and quiet, before the driver opens the door.
Alexander steps out first, then his father.
I let Mrs. Blackthorn go ahead, then climb out last. Once again, Alexander offers me his hand.
I try not to let his warm touch unravel me, and head with him to the trunk, where the driver retrieves my bag. I take it.
“I’m curious what dress you brought,” Alexander says.
“A simple one,” I admit sheepishly, then gesture toward the courtyard. "So, how do you like it?"
Alexander studies the large three-story building, wrapped in greenery. Trees, shrubs, flower beds—it all feels inviting. And the weather couldn’t be more perfect.
We leave the paved path in the secluded parking lot and head toward the entrance. The ground changes to cobblestones, though they’re laid so evenly you could walk on them in high heels without worry.
“Makes a good impression,” he says.