Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
JAY
"You’re not up yet? I thought for sure you'd be on your second cup of coffee by now."
"Who is this?" Jay asked, sleepy and confused as he held the phone to his ear.
"Who the hell do you think it is?" Rob asked.
"What time is it?" Jay rubbed his eyes and tried to read the clock beside the bed.
"Your time? It's early. My time? It's late. I'm sorry I woke you. I wanted to catch you before you left for the day."
"It's okay." Jay yawned. “What's up?"
"The all-access passes arrived. I can overnight 'em anywhere you want.”
“Thanks for letting me ship them to your house. I need to talk to Claire first, and then I’ll let you know. Just keep them safe for now. Anything else going on?"
"That's it. Pretty quiet around here," Rob said.
"Quiet is good." Jay yawned once more. “How’s the brood?”
“All sleeping like angels, Abby included. How was the big weekend in the country?"
"Best weekend of my life,” Jay said. “Met her old man. He’s a character but extremely down-to-earth–and absolutely crazy about Claire."
"That makes two of you," Rob said.
“I’m thinking about asking her to fly back to L.A. with me next week, when I come home for those meetings.”
“If she’s free, why not?”
“Think you and Abby could meet us for dinner? I really want you to meet her.”
“I’ll do you one better,” Rob said. “You and Claire come have dinner at our house.”
After the call, Jay logged in to his laptop, eager to check flights between London and L.A.
for the following week. Though he hadn't come right out and asked Claire to join him, he'd nonchalantly brought up the subject of travel and the flexibility of her work schedule. Based on the weekend at Hamish’s, his confidence ran high.
Leaving her the night before in front of her flat hadn't been easy. The weekend had been magical. The long walk on the estate. Alone in the hidden conservatory. Saying goodnight at the door of her guest room—a grueling test of his willpower. A test he almost failed.
He smiled, his fingers clicking the keys as he composed an email to greet her when she arrived at Avi.
Good Morning! I seem to be short one little black bag, so please accept my apologies. Lunch at our favorite spot? 12:30??
"I knew something never before was gonna happen, had to happen, but this is so much more.”
How about dinner tonight at my place? Eight o'clock? Bring a bottle of red.
Can't stop thinking about you,
Jay