Page 65 of Brighter Together

My stomach gives a pleasant little flip.

The porter disappears after placing our luggage inside each room. Our suites are beside each other on the top floor and Tommy stands between the two doors.

“Dinner in an hour?” he asks.

“Perfect.”

His gaze lingers on me.

For a second I think he might kiss me.

I want him to.

Instead, his thumb brushes lightly across the back of my hand.

“See you in an hour.”

Then he disappears into his room.

I stare at his closed door.

Research.

Right.

The room is beautiful.

Huge bed.

Deep bath.

Windows overlooking the city.

I should be enjoying it.

Instead, ten minutes after arriving, I’m sitting on the edge of the bed staring at my phone.

The afternoon presentations were good.

Both architecture firms clearly understood the brief. Both had brought detailed plans, costings and visuals. One proposal was sleek and modern, the other tried harder to reflect Greenview’s history.

Neither was right.

I saw it in Tommy’s face before he said anything.

He was polite.

Interested.

Asked intelligent questions.

But I know him well enough now to recognise the difference between Tommy considering an idea and Tommy loving one.

He didn’t love either.

And deep down, I already know what is going to happen tomorrow.

He is going to love the Grange proposal.