Page 90 of Dr. CEO (The Doctors)

“Are you a returning guest?” she asks.

“No, this is my first stay.”

My comment is met by silence on the other end. “And you’re in room four-one-two. Hmmm. We occasionally place photographs in some of our suites for returning guests…”

“You do?” I ask, a little confused, my heart sinking a little. Could this be just another luxury amenity from the hotel? But to have these exact photographs? That’s too much of a coincidence, surely?

“We like people to feel they’re in a home away from home.”

That’s one for the notebook. Maybe my team could do some social media sleuthing to accomplish the same thoughtfulness for our future guests.

“But actually,” the woman continues, “since this is your first stay— Excuse me while I check something. I have a note on your reservation. Please hold the line.”

My breathing is ragged, like I’ve been running for miles. Could it be Vincent after all? And if so, why? Since my lunch with Sutton, I’ve been trying to figure out what I can do or say to Vincent to make him feel like he can depend on me to never leave him.

Because he could.

I’ve come up empty so far. Work has been busy. Now I’m no longer working in the house, I picked up more shifts in the pub and started guest relations training. And of course, I’m still working in the tea shop. During all those hours and the times in between, I’ve thought about little else but Vincent. But I haven’t found a solution. How can I make him believe I won’t abandon him?

“Thank you for your patience,” the woman on the phone says. “I see those pictures were a special request on your booking. I believe your husband had them sent over to be placed in your room.”

Heat courses through my body. My husband.

“Oh. Thank you.”

I hang up, stunned. The photographs are Vincent’s doing. I guess he’s being well-briefed by Michael and Olga; he knew I’d find coming to London and staying away from Crompton challenging.

Vincent is a good man. Thoughtful, sweet and sensitive. The man I want to be with for the rest of my life.

And suddenly, I have it. I understand exactly what I can do to make Vincent realize I want him forever. I just need to work up the courage to leave my hotel room to put my plan in action.

Then I’ll be ready.

FORTY

Kate

I come out of the lifts on the hotel’s fourth floor and head back to my room, relief coursing through my veins at the thought of being safely ensconced inside. I see him before he sees me. I place my hand on my chest and pull in a breath.

He’s here.

And I’m ready.

Vincent leans against the wall opposite my room, staring at the floor. He looks thinner than when I saw him last, even though it’s been just a few weeks.

Thank goodness I figured out how to make him stay. At least, I hope I have.

He looks up as I approach. The sight of his handsome face short-circuits my breathing for a second and I have to remember to exhale.

“Hey,” I say as I come to a stop in front of him. I want to skip this part and fast forward to the bit where he’s holding me, but I don’t want to spook him. “You had the photographs put in my room.”

He nods. His eyes search mine and I can tell he’s looking for clues, trying to figure out what to say. “I was wondering…if we could talk?” he asks.

“Let’s do that,” I reply. I hope he hasn’t come here to apologize and tell me how things would never have worked between us. My agenda looks a lot different. “I’ve always wanted to go to Hyde Park. I hear it’s wonderful.”

He narrows his eyes like he’s wondering if he misheard me. “Okay.”

I turn and head back where I came from. He hits the down button and we wait, both facing the lift doors.

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