“I just go where I’m told,” George says with a blank expression. The man is a vault and has been sworn to secrecy.
“Dammit!” She gives an adorable pout before climbing into the back of the Bentley.
I feel kind of nervous as I slide in on the other side, though not about the first part of what I’ve dubbed “Surprise Saturday” in my head. I think I’ll blame the dream I had last night for these jitters. I dreamed of Connor. He was at the pearly gates of heaven in silver gym gear and heavy white wings, which is just crazy. Crazier still, Saint Peter was spotting Connor as he bench pressed, his wings folded around him. Well, Connor wasn’t exactly happy to see me, and Saint Peter was all for him landing me on my arse as I tried to explain how I’d fallen for Mimi.
“Connor, mate, I was trying to protect her,” I’d pleaded.“Like you said I should.”
“By fucking her yourself?”he’d demanded with such disgust.
“You said to make sure she didn’t end up with someone like us.” My tone was beseeching as I tried so hard to make him understand.
“I’m pretty sure I said someone likeyou,” Connor growled, his wings beginning to flap like an angry swan. I probably have the boat trip to The Serpentine to thank for that.
“Yeah.” Saint Peter sounded like a wheedling, snot-nosed kid from a teen movie, not like heaven’s doorman or all-powerful security detail. “Connor has already made the right side of the gates. Meanwhile, you’re out here,”he’d taunted. “What do you think that means?”
“That I’m dead?”
“If you’re not, you will be,” Connor snarled. “You were supposed to protect her, not fuck her.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you,”I pleaded. “I’m not like me anymore. She makes me want to be a better man.”
Then he punched me.
To be honest, I would’ve punched me too for that line. In my dream, I’d tumbled from heaven like the devil himself. I could feel myself falling, falling, before coming back to myself in my bed with a hypnic jerk. Heart pounding, eyes on stalks and straining to see in the dark. But then Mimi had snuffled next to me, murmuring something about cupcakes being under the fridge. I’d wrapped her in my arms and ease had returned to me almost immediately. God, Saint Peter, Old Nick, Connor. They can all go fuck themselves as long as I get to keep this girl.
* * *
“The airport?” Mimi makes what feels like her tenth guess as George takes the turning for London City Airport.
“Yep, you got me. You’ve heard of train spotters, right? Well, I’m a plane spotter.”
“Do you spot them from the skies? You know, when you’re up there in your private jet.”
“The bank’s private jet.”
“The bank you’re the major shareholder in? So, kind of, sort of your private jet?”
“I’m not sure the rest of the shareholders would see it like that,” I say, turning my attention to the window. It’s pretty miserable out there. I hope the weather is nicer where we’re heading.
“Did you tell the front desk that Primrose and her friends were visiting today?”
“Yep,” I reply, popping the p. Mimi had given me a hard time about keeping my family from visiting. I hadn’t the heart to tell her most of them seem to have already guessed she’s staying with me.And more.Only Primrose and Lavender don’t seem to be aware, and Lavender only turns up when she wants something. She must have a new boyfriend, given I haven’t been called to pick her up from any police stations for a while.
At Mimi’s gasp, I turn my head.
“Weareat the airport! Where are we going?”
“I’ll tell you.” Her smile widens. “When we get there.”
* * *
“Superswanky,” Mimi says as she wiggles her delectable bum in the cream leather upholstery.
“It beats the bus, right?”
“Oh, Mr. CEO, I think it’s been a while since you rodeanybus.”
“True, but I still remember how they work. I also remember what it’s like not to be rolling in it.” I think that helps to keep me grounded.
