Page 25 of That First Night
I look over to Avery standing next to me with her jaw on the floor.
Girl, I can’t believe this myself.
“Thank you, that’s very kind of you.”
“It’s my pleasure, ma’am. Allow me to show you where the elevator is.”
He opens his arms to guide me down a hall that has a sign that says, ‘staff only beyond this point.’ When he said private elevator, I was expecting a separate one just off to the side of the main elevators that needs a special key card to access it. I was not expecting it to be so private that it’s in the staff quarters.
He swipes my key card to make sure it works before he hands it to me and the three of us load into the elevator. I look down at the card and notice a photo of the New York City skyline at sunset. When I flip the card over, I see that it says, ‘Private Access to the Thomas Ford Penthouse,’ and I suck in a breath as I stare down at it, completely unsure what I am about to walk into.
Jim breaks the silence for us. “This elevator only goes to Mr. Ford’s penthouse. You just need to tap your card and press the arrow up.”
“Thank you,” is all I can muster up the courage to say.
The elevator dings, the doors open, and my mouth falls to the ground. My feet are cemented in place as I take in the sight in front of me.
The elevators open up to the largest living space I have ever seen. There is a large tv mounted on the most gorgeous gray marbled wall that hangs right above an electric fireplace. There's a plush gray sectional sofa in the middle of the space packed with pillows, right in front of the floor to ceiling windows that open up to a balcony overlooking the New York skyline.
Finally, I allow myself to walk into the open space to take in the rest of the apartment. There’s a staircase just behind the sectional, which I am assuming is where James and Thomas’ rooms are, and multiple hallways leading off of this living space. I don’t know which hallway is where I should be heading.
“Right this way.” I hear Jim say, as if he can hear my thoughts.
He leads me down the hallway that’s in the opposite direction of the staircase. It’s a long hallway and I notice that there aren’t many pictures on the walls. We pass by a door that’s open, and I can see that it's set up like an office. That must be where he works when he’s home.
Continuing down the hall, I’m led to another living space that has a couch, tv and a bedroom off to one corner. Pausing to take it all in, I notice this space is about as big as my apartment with the girls.
The bedroom is small, but it’s the perfect size for me. Like the other living space, it has floor to ceiling windows and the views are beyond incredible. I make my way into the bathroom and I’m pretty sure my jaw is on the floor when I take in the view before me. There's a shower that can easily fit four people in it with two different shower heads and a massive Victorian style bathtub that sits in front of floor to ceiling windows that overlook Central Park. The first thing I will be doing is soaking in that bathtub and enjoying the view. My eyes travel to the double sinks on the opposite wall and take note of the basket put together for me filled with lavender soaps and body scrubs.
I can’t help but pinch myself because this must be a dream. I’m being paid six grand a week to live here.
“Peyton,” Avery interrupts my thoughts as she steps into the bathroom. She’s spinning around and taking it all in with me. “This place is unreal! You are such a lucky bitch.”
I don’t respond back but give a tight nod still staring at the bathtub and the view.
“Pey, come check out this balcony!” Avery bellows from outside, now.
Stepping onto the balcony that connects to my room, I am blown away by the view. I can see the entire skyline of the city including Central Park. I hadn’t noticed before but there are only windows on one side of the building. Every window faces West, which is where the sun sets. That must be why this place is called Sunset Square.
I nudge her shoulder as we both take in the sight. “Hey, I should have brought my books. This would be the reading spot for some smut, huh?”
We look at each other and burst out laughing because I think neither of us can believe that this is really happening right now. I know I can’t.
“Come on, Ave. Let’s get my stuff unpacked before he gets home.”
“Daddy, what does frick mean?” James asks from the backseat.
“Who said that, JJ?”
“Uncle Marky said, ‘What the frick are you doing?’ today to one of the peoples at his work. What does it mean?”
Shaking my head, I respond with, “You’re too intuitive for your own good, James.”
“What’s int-intuative mean?”
“Okay, that’s enough for the day.” I laugh at him. “We’re almost home, James. Remember I told you that Ms. Peyton would be moving in today? She’s going to be helping daddy out and watching you when Aunt Em starts school.”
“I can’t wait!” he shrieks from the back seat. “She’s going to love my dinosaur collection. I’m going to teach her how to sound like one too! I have the best RAWR, Daddy!”
