Page 31 of Love Me Ever After
Best wishes,
Barbara.
I reread the email three times before it finally sank in. They’d been happy with the event. They wanted to come back.And there was no mention of anything else.Had Sonya even said anything? Letting out a huge breath, I sank back in my chair and sipped my coffee. I would come up with a suitable response and send it before I left today. Checking the time, I saw it was coming up to half past ten. Before I started on anything else, I should go and see how the room set up for the birthday lunch was going.
The Rose Room was one of our most popular for private parties, seating up to twenty-five people. Overlooking the marina, it had a small terrace outside where people could watch the boats. On a day like today, it would be glorious, and perfect for an elderly lady’s birthday party.
When I went in, Curtis Porter, one of the barmen, was putting glasses on the table set up for twenty guests.
“Morning, Ems. Haven’t seen you in a while. How did that big conference thing go in the week?” he asked. “I had a late one Wednesday night. Jesus, they can drink! I think I served the last glass of whisky at four thirty in the morning.”
I laughed. Mason used to tell me about their conferences and Christmas parties where the drinking would go on into the early mornings. It didn’t surprise me in the least the Curtis had had a late one. “Yeah, sorry about that.”
“Don’t be.” He winked. “You’d be surprised how big the tips are when you tell them it’s closing time.”
“Glad it was worth your while. I’m not sure you’re going to get the same today.”
“Mmm, it’s Melody Johnson, isn’t it? Remember the Fortunes for Favours event when I had to get security to throw her and her friends out? I don’t hold out much hope.” He shuddered at the memory.
“Well, I have to be gone by six to get ready for Georgie and Marcus’s taster session tonight. Are you going?” I knew he was friends with Alex, Georgie’s boyfriend.
Curtis nodded. “Yep. Another reason I’m hoping there won’t be a repeat performance of her dodgy behaviour.”
“It’s her mum’s eightieth, I doubt it’ll get that wild.”
He raised his eyebrows “This is Melody Johnson we’re talking about. She had to get it from somewhere.”
“You’re terrible.” I shook my head. “Completely right, but terrible.”
“I’ll go and grab a couple more water glasses, then I’m done. Who’s working the room? Tell them to come and get me if things get out of hand.”
I consulted the checklist Sonya had left me. “Polly and Tori. They should be fine, but I’ll let them know.”
“I guess I’ll see you this evening. Have a good day until then!” He pushed open the door and disappeared back to the bar.
Making sure everything was set up correctly, I straightened the tablecloth on the present table, then headed back to my office. The Johnson’s weren’t due until midday, so I had a short window to get stuck into that filing. I didn’t want to disappoint Sonya any more than I had.
So caught up in the mindless task, I didn’t notice anyone come in until I felt a hand on my arse.
“You really should wear skirts like this all the time. I love how peachy your arse looks.” Mason’s breath fluttered behind my ear bringing my nipples to attention straight away.
I whirled around to face him as he fixed me with a lopsided grin. “I’m working.” Pretending I was cross at being disturbed, I folded my arms across my chest.
He pointed to a takeaway box from The Blue Goose which sat on my desk. “I brought you some lunch. Wasn’t sure if you’d get the chance to eat anything today.”
“That’s really sweet of you.” I stepped towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss.
Mason’s hands slid to my hips, tugging me closer. He was dressed in gym kit, which made his arousal even more obvious. Reluctantly, I pushed him away. “We should stop. I really don’t want to get into any more trouble. I have no idea if Sonya has her spies out today.”
“Damn shame.” He traced the line of my lips with the fingernail of his index finger and ripples shot down my spine. “Because the thought of taking you over your desk is really appealing right now.”
“Then I guess you’ll just have to work off your frustration in the gym instead.” I raked my gaze over him, relishing how ripped he’d got since going to New York. This new, tautly muscled and tatted Mason was hot and I had to exercise some self-control.
“I should probably get going.” He leaned in for one last kiss just as Curtis opened the office door.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Ems, Melody’s here and is asking for you.”
Quickly, I put some distance between Mason and I. Curtis wasn’t the sort of person to go telling tales to Sonya, particularly now I knew he’d accepted bribes from the Lane & Parks staff to keep serving them later than he should have been. But I didn’t want to get into a tit for tat situation.
