I cleared my throat. “I liked the pieces you selected for the VIP suites. You have exquisite taste.”
“Thank you.” Her attention was focused on the elevator doors, not me.
I shoved my hands into my pockets, struggling to formulate my request. Why was this so difficult? I usually had no problems talking to women, but then again, the stakes had never felt so high. I wasn’t even asking her on a date, yet I dreaded the idea that she’d shut me down.
“I’ve been wanting to add some art to my personal collection, and I’d love your help.”
She turned to me, lit up. “I’d have to see the space to get a sense of your style and the size requirements.”
“What are you doing tonight?” I blurted.
“I, uh—” She stared at her feet as if her shoes were a novelty. Her earlier enthusiasm had been snuffed out. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Besides, I have to pick Kai up from pre-K.”
“Tomorrow, then?” I pressed. I was pushing my luck. But after having to spend the afternoon watching her flirt with another man, I was at the end of my tether.
“I can’t.”
“Come on.”
“You’re forgetting that I have Kai, and I don’t have anyone to watch him.”
“Bring him with you.”
She arched a brow. “Bring him with me? Jasper,” she sighed. “He’s a five-year-old boy with a lot of energy. I’m—” She shook her head. “I don’t think that would go very well.”
“Why not?”
What was she concerned about? Kai in my apartment, or introducing a man to her son? It wasn’t like we were dating. This was a friendly visit.
“I just… I wouldn’t want him to be in the way.”
I leaned in. “He could never be in the way. Promise.”
Her shoulders softened. “Maybe.”
I wasn’t above playing dirty. Which was how I found myself saying, “I’ll give you an unlimited budget and carte blanche in selecting the pieces.”
“Oh, that’s dangerous.” She grinned, and I could tell she was considering it.
My phone buzzed, an incoming slew of new messages. I barely held back a groan. “I have to take this, but I’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked, hoping I didn’t sound as desperate as I felt.
“Unlimited budget?” she asked.
“Unlimited,” I said.
I didn’t want to give Dimitri another cent. But I would give him my fortune if it meant I got to spend more time with Halle.
CHAPTER SIX
“Wicked!” Kai ran to the floor-to-ceiling windows after I’d introduced him and Jasper.
We’d barely crossed over the threshold into Jasper’s penthouse, and my child was acting as if he’d never been somewhere new. Granted, the view really was spectacular, especially with the sun low in the sky. But still…I’d hoped he’d be able to exercise some restraint.
“Kai,” I chided. He lowered his hands, and I cringed at the smudge marks. His fingerprints were everywhere.
Before I could apologize to Jasper, Kai spied the oversized sofa and took a running jump and hurled himself onto it. I braced myself for Jasper’s reaction, but he seemed completely unbothered, as if he had children running around his penthouse all the time. If it had been Craig, he would’ve been red-faced and yelling.
“I’m so…sorry,” I said to Jasper through gritted teeth as I tugged on Kai’s pants. Finally, I got my son’s attention, and he knew he was in trouble.
