Page 50 of The Grump I Got Stuck With

“Oh, like right now?” I said.

Alfie nodded. “The car should already be downstairs.” He grabbed my coat and Kenna’s from the hooks by the door.

“Right, let me just grab my wallet.”

“You won’t need that,” Alistair said, catching me around the waist before I could take off. “Everything is already sorted.”

I gave him a curious look, a little thrill shooting through me. “Fine, but a woman still needs her purse.”

I retrieved it from my room, then Alistair ushered the three of us out the door to the private elevator, giving me another one of those secret grins as the door closed between us.

Alfie handed me my coat once we were moving. I slipped it on, then helped Kenna with her zipper. “I really have no idea what’s going on.”

“This is Alistair’s world, and we’re just living in it,” he said as the door popped open. He waved us through the lobby to the exit. “All you have to do is enjoy yourself.” He pushed us through the revolving door.

I stopped short. A sleek black limo waited at the curb. “You said the car was here.”

“That’s for us?” Kenna asked, sounding delighted as she skipped down the stairs.

“Sure is, kiddo,” Alfie said, following her. “Want to see inside?”

“Yeah!”

I followed them, gaping as the driver pulled the door open. I didn’t even get a limo for prom, and now here I was about to experience London like this. I glanced over my shoulder, almost expecting Alistair to be there, watching with that half smile. I didn’t know how to thank him, but I made a mental note to say something later, then raced down the steps, climbing onto the soft leather seat.

Kenna was already rifling through a snack compartment. “Can I have this?”

“Wait, let me see,” I said, holding my hand out for the bar in her hand. “I don’t want you accidentally eating some brandy-infused chocolate or whatever.”

“It’s all been Kenna-proofed on Alistair’s orders,” Alfie said. “Go wild, kiddo.”

“Actually, not too wild,” I told her. I didn’t need to get puked on because Kenna had gorged herself on snacks right before we hit a roundabout. I helped her pick out a couple of snacks with the agreement that we’d save the rest for later.

With a delighted squeal, Kenna unwrapped a fancy chocolate bar, and I stared out the windows, marveling at the historic buildings as we drove through the city. We did a mini tour, and Alfie pointed out the highlights—Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge. I just wanted to keep driving around in circles, but eventually we stopped along the curb.

“This is us,” Alfie said, opening the door and hopping out. He held his hands out in a ta-da fashion as we followed him onto the sidewalk.

I stared up at the building. It was carved from pale stone with elegant columns framing the door. “Skin by Corine?”

“This place has a waiting list longer than this limo,” Alfie said, leading us to the door. “It’s four floors of spa.”

He directed us inside, checking us in with the receptionist who immediately had a staff member whisk us into a private sitting room. “They even have thermal pools,” Alfie whispered.

I had no idea what that meant.

“Kenna?” a woman called, coming into the room. She wore a tailored charcoal uniform, her hair pulled back in a sleek bun.

“That’s me!” Kenna popped to her feet, skipping toward the woman.

She leaned down and smiled. “I’ve heard you like manicures?”

Kenna stared down at the paint job on her nails, which was already a week old.

“That sounds fun,” I said, getting to my feet to join her. “I bet they can do really fancy nail art here, Ken. I’ll help you pick a design.”

Alfie tutted, blocking my way. “No, no. You go that way for your full body massage.” He pointed to a door.

“Wait, are you sure?”