“I have a surprise for you?”

“And let me guess, Scarlett is in on it?” she says, her lips twitching. “Their building maintenance excuse for closing at lunchtime, did seem a little… odd.”

I asked Scarlett to allow April the afternoon off, and when I told her why, she was more than happy to find an excuse for sending her home.

“What is so special, that you are in cahoots with my boss, and have me walking in through the door at lunchtime?” she asks, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around my neck.

I drop my forehead to hers.

“Now if I tell you, it won’t be a surprise.”

I drop a chaste kiss on her pouting mouth, before pulling away when she tries to deepen it.

She draws back and shoots me a confused look.

I tap a finger on her nose.

“Patience. All will be revealed in good time. First things first.”

I pull out my phone and send a call to the concierge. “Send them up,” I say, watching a frown form between April’s brows.

“Cal. What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry, you’re going to love it, I promise,” I say, pulling her in for a hug just as the buzzer on the apartment goes.

I move around her and open the door.

“Come in,” I say, stepping back to allow our two visitors to enter.

“April, this is David, and Claire, his partner. They are here to help you get ready.”

April spins towards me. “Get ready?”

“David is here to do your hair and Claire your makeup.”

“A pamper session?”

“Not exactly.” I turn to Claire and David. “You’re set up in the room I showed you.”

“Great,” David says, smiling. “We’ll see you upstairs, April.”

With that they both leave.

When they are out of earshot, I turn back to April who is staring at me wide eyed. “I have something special planned for this evening. With everything you’ve been through recently, I thought I would make a day of it… or at least half a day,” I say wondering if I’ve gone too far. I run a hand through my hair and step back. “If it’s too much?”

April steps towards me and wraps her arms around my waist. “No, it’s fine. It’s just a surprise. I’m not used to people surprising me. Not on this scale.”

I drop a kiss on her nose, making her smile. “We’re going out tonight, and I thought you might enjoy being spoiled. I know my sisters usually do this for events like this.”

April’s eyebrows raise as she stares at me. I roll my lips to stop myself saying any more. April smirks.

I need to stop talking.

“Go,” I say, turning her around and swatting her on her ass.

She giggles, a sound I’m beginning to recognise and love.

“I’ve set them up in Tristan’s room.”