Page 38 of The Husband Contract
“Perfect. If I'm not able to do it, I’ll get Katherine to pick it up, as she’s working this afternoon.”
“Oh, great. Ooh!” she says loudly. “Your young man is here.” She points to the side of the room, and I try not to groan. She could never be in the CIA; she has no idea what covert means. I want to say, “Get it together, Mrs. Kubica,” but I can’t be rude.
“My what?” I look around the lobby quickly and freeze as I see Sebastian standing next to the staircase. There’s a confident smile on his face, and my heart flutters. The man should be charged for being so hot, and I should be charged for being so easily impressed and taken by him. I want to tell him he’s a smooth criminal as a joke, but I don’t want him to think I’m some sort of loser with bad puns.
“Oh, he’s not my young man, Mrs. Kubica.” I lower my voice to hint to her to keep it down.
“He looks at you like he wants to eat you, dear.” She offers me a huge wink. “And trust me, I’m not so old that I don’t remember those days.” My jaw drops at her comment. Who knew Mrs. Kubica had it in her?
“Come on, Spottyetta. Let’s leave Willow to her gentleman.”
“He’s not my...” I start, but she and the dog walk away quickly. I watch as Sebastian strides over to the front desk. His shirt fits him like a second skin. The man is too sexy for this hotel lobby.
“Hey,” he says. “How are you?”
“I’m good. How are you?” It’s been a day since I last saw him. He hadn’t ordered any breakfast this morning, and honestly, I was glad. I’m still slightly discombobulated from the things said and the way he treated me. The reprieve was nice because I wasn’t sure I could keep up with the gamut of emotions running through me. The man has me floating in the clouds, and I am scared I'm in for a loud bump when I fall back to earth.
“You look beautiful this morning,” he says, grinning, his elbows on the counter as he leans forward. “I like that dress.”
“Thank you.” I glance down at the blue dress I’d gotten years ago at Old Navy. It certainly wasn’t anything special, but I’m still happy for the compliment. “Can I help you? Is there anything I could?—”
“I’m mesmerized by you, Willow.”
“What?” I know my jaw wants to drop, but I won’t let it. His brown eyes gaze into mine, full of wonder and appreciation.
“I know it’s quite gauche toadmit this, but I find you beautiful… stunning… magical. Do you like being spoiled?” he asks, eyes glittering.
I start laughing. “Doesn’t every woman like being spoiled? I mean, that’s practically a requirement of having a boyfriend, don’t you think?” I’m just joking, but I see his eyes narrow for a few seconds before he nods.
“Can I ask you a question, Willow? Something that’s been on my mind. I hope you won’t think it too nosy of me.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend, if that’s what you’re asking.” I grin at him.
“Not my question.” He grins. “I hoped that you didn’t have a boyfriend after our previous date.”
“Well… yeah, I mean, maybe I had a casual boyfriend, but I haveno realboyfriend.”
“That’s good to know,” he says. “I have no real girlfriend.”
“Ooh, okay. Not that I asked, of course. I mean, I didn’t ask, but it’s good information to know.” I giggle. “So, was that your only question?”
“That wasn’t my question at all, actually.”
“Oh? What was your question?” If he asks me to go on a date right now, I don’t know what I’ll say. I can’t go because Katherine’s not coming in for another couple of hours. And even though Mrs. Kubica is our only guest and no one else is scheduled to show up today, I still can’t leave. It would totally be irresponsible, and that just isn’t me. Plus, I am waiting on a call from the Magnolia Club to see when my next shift is.
“I was wondering why you work at the front desk?”
“What?” I stare at him in confusion, shaking my head. Not what I’d expected him to ask.
He stands up straight, rolling up the sleeves of his whiteshirt. “I mean, what with you owning the hotel…” He shrugs. “I’m just surprised that you work at the front desk and cook and make beds, and all the other things that you do.”
I stare at him for a couple of seconds, frowning slightly at his words. What is he talking about?
And then it hits me. He thinks Iownthe hotel. That must be why he’s been interested. That must be why he asked me on a date. He thinks I own Whispering Haven Bed & Breakfast, andthat’s why he sees me as an equal. But that doesn’t explain why I would work at the Magnolia Club. I want to clarify that it’s my family who owns the hotel, that I just work here, and I’m saving to buy my own place. But something in me doesn’t want to tell him that. I don’t want him to think that I’m a gold digger. I don’t want him to think that I’m broke. I don’t want him to think that I’m interested in him for his money. So instead, I just stare at him and offer a small smile.
“You seem like you don’t want to answer the question,” he says seriously. “You seem like…”
“I seem like what?” I say, slightly annoyed that he’s still going on about it. Is this some sort of test?
