Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“Fredrick,” I say his name. “I was wondering if it would be possible to rent out the aquarium for the night?”
“What time were you thinking?” he asks.
“I was thinking maybe eight thirty,” I tell him. “It would mean a great deal to me.”
“It would be an honor,” he says. He confirms that the aquarium will be shut down for us at eight and to come in anytime we would like. After hanging up with him, I call my florist, Amanda, except I don’t order flowers, making her laugh even louder. Amanda has been a close friend since my early twenties; we ran in the same circle.
“You know that this is a flower shop, right?” She laughs.
“I know, but I have no idea who else I can call to order this from,” I tell her, and she talks to someone in the back.
“Okay, but you owe me one. Do you want any flowers with this box of stuffed animals?” Amanda asks me, and now I laugh.
“Not today,” I tell her. “And you know that I’m good for it.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she says and disconnects when she gets the address she needs. I call Vivienne, and I’m not surprised she doesn’t answer my first call or my second, but when she ignores my third, I send Amanda a text with different instructions than the first.
“Hey, you’re still here.” I look up and see Matthew walking toward me.
“Yeah, I was going to get on the ice for an hour or so,” I tell him. “What’s up?”
“I’m heading out to pick up my wife, but I wanted to touch base and see if everything is okay.” I watch his eyes as he asks me this. I don’t think Vivienne would have told him anything, and I try to see if she did.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask him, trying to see if he knows anything or if it’s all in my head.
“I know that you were beyond frustrated last year,” he says, and I breathe a sigh of relief. “And I just want you to know that we are behind you one hundred percent.”
“Thanks,” I tell him, nodding. “Last year was not a good one, but we can do better this year, so let’s do that.”
“I agree.” He slaps me on the shoulder. “Now I’m off.”
“Have fun,” I say and walk away from him. The phone beeps in my hands.
Amanda: Everything is taken care of. Who knew so many stuffed animals could fit in one box?
Me: Thanks.
I put the phone away and then walk into the changing room and see I’m the only one left. When I walk to Pierre’s office, I see that he isn’t in either. I can’t really go on the ice and not have anyone to practice with. When I look around, I see that most of the people are heading to a meeting or taking off. Next week, things will be back to normal and more people will be in. I grab my stuff and make my way home, tackling my email as soon as I walk in. I’m about to send an email for New Orleans when my phone pings, and I see it’s from Vivienne.
Vivienne: I’ll be ready.
I smile, and I’m tempted to call her just to hear her voice, but instead, I text her back.
Me: I can’t wait.
I put my phone down, and the day drags on. Or maybe I’m just anxious to get to her. I slip into my white jeans and my red, white, and light blue button-down shirt, leaving the top three buttons undone. I tie the cuffs and put on my Rolex and then slip into my red jacket, pulling the sleeves down. I spray my cologne on and then grab the keys to the Range Rover. I usually don’t drive in the city, but I will today so I can keep this private.
I look at the time, and it’s 7:59 when I finally pull up in front of her building. I leave the car at the curb when I get out, and the doorman comes over to me. “I’m picking up Ms. Paradis,” I tell him. He just nods and turns to go inside at the same time the elevator doors open, and I see her. All eyes turn to her, which is no surprise since she’s gorgeous. She walks out of the elevator and uses her fingers to wave at the security. I take her in before she sees me, and I want to take her back upstairs and stay in for the night. She’s wearing beige and black shorts that float around her mid-thigh and show off her long, tanned legs. Legs that wrapped around my waist perfectly. Her black silk spaghetti strap top is tucked in and a silver watch and black beads wrap around her wrist. She’s carrying a black hand purse in one hand, and she looks down and then to the side again, and this time, I see that her long hair is pinned at the nape of her neck. When the doorman calls her name, she looks at him. Then her eyes fly to mine, and the smile I’ve been thinking about all afternoon long is finally there. Her whole face lights up when he holds the door open for her.