Page 9 of The Widower
“Yes. It’s the only time I’ll have. Can I count on you being there? I know how busy you are,” he teased. He knew damn well I barely left my mansion.
“Fine. I’ll be there.”
I hung up, curiosity already gnawing at me. What did James really want to talk about?
Maybe I’d been an idiot for agreeing to design his new mansion in the first place.
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
When I got home, there was still tension running through every inch of my body.
It takes a lot to get me worked up, but today had been rough—especially after I screwed up by not double-checking the delivery at the mansion.
Colin Adams…
I’ve met arrogant men before, the type who think the world revolves around them—but none quite like Colin. He’s hard to describe, but I can’t imagine anyone managing to live with him for twenty-four hours straight.
And I think he knows that… which is probably why he keeps to himself. Just my opinion.
I was brushing my daughter’s hair while she played with her doll, Lucy—the one she seemed to love more than anything in the world. After a while, Hanna looked up at me, and I could tell she was about to ask something.
“What’s your boss like, Mommy?”
“A sweetheart…” I rolled my eyes. “Like bitter melon.”
We both burst out laughing, and then I went back to fixing her hair.
“Is he mean, Mommy?”
“He’d have to work really hard to be that bad,” I said, remembering his face.
“Huh?” Her little eyes squinted in confusion.
“It’s nothing, honey. He’s just… difficult, that’s all.”
“Okay.”
After dinner, I finished up a few chores and tucked Hanna into bed.
When I finally lay down, I replayed the day in my head and promised myself one thing—tomorrow, I’d pay twice as much attention at work.
I woke up with a start.
For a second, I couldn’t figure out why my heart was racing—until I glanced at my phone and realized I was screwed.It was exactly 6:30 a.m., and I was supposed to be at Colin’s house in, oh, thirty minutes.
There was no way I’d make it.
My brain, being the helpful friend it is, immediately started discouraging me while I sprinted toward my closet. Luckily, my mom was taking Hanna with her today—thank God for school vacations.
Or maybe my alarm went off and I didn’t hear it? Perfect. I didn’t even know what had happened, but there was no time to waste figuring it out. I just had to get there—somehow.
I got ready in record time, dashed to my car, jumped in, and floored it, praying I could make it to the mansion by seven.Honestly? Even I didn’t believe I would.
I walked into Colin’s house at exactly seven o’clock, and an overwhelming wave of relief washed over me.
I did it.
I smiled to myself, but as I headed toward one of the doors, I caught sight of a tall, broad figure standing there—arms crossed, expression blank, watching me like I was a total stranger. The moment our eyes met, he slowly shook his head in disapproval before glancing down at his watch.
