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I sent my staff on ahead, and all of my belongings, except what was in my two suitcases, had been shipped to my flat the week before. I was certain that Kendra had already unpacked everything. When I arrived at my new house, Kendra met me in the vestibule of the front elevator on the first floor of the flat. “Welcome home, Mr. Carrington.”
With a warm smile, I pulled her into a hug and chuckled. “I’m so glad you’re here, Kendra. And since when do you call me Mr. Carrington?”
She shrugged and winked as I released her. “Thought I’d give it a try.”
“And what did you think?”
“Don’t expect to hear it often, my boy,” she said as she patted my cheek, making me laugh. “I’ve left dinner in the refrigerator. You just need to heat it in the oven. I also stocked the kitchen, including all the items on your list.” She led me through the front door into the foyer, where I set down my suitcases, before following her to the left and through the dining room. We entered the large galley pantry that connected to the kitchen, and she showed me around the room so that I would be able to fend for myself and then gave me instructions on preparing the meal she’d left for me. She looked around and didn’t seem to find anything else that needed to be addressed. “That’s everything at the moment, I think. Now, since you gave me the night off, I’m going to get dolled up because I have a date.”
Surprised by her announcement, I raised a brow. “A date? Who’s this guy? I need to make sure he’s good enough for you.”
Kendra’s cheeks pinkened, making me even more amused and curious. She patted her gray hair that was swept up into a bun and smoothed out some nonexistent wrinkles in her black pants. “His name is Anthony, and as I understand it, he works for your father.”
I was speechless for a moment, but then I burst into laughter. Not because I thought it was a ridiculous idea, but because I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of how perfect they would be together before now. Both Kendra and Anthony were in their early fifties, widowed with grown children, and worked simply because retirement bored them. They were two of the best people I knew, and I wasn’t at all surprised that they had hit it off. Obviously, they’d met when Anthony had been dispatched to pick up Kendra when she arrived.
“I approve,” I told her when I’d stopped laughing. “But he better not try to steal you away from me.” A grin split my face when I added, “Also, sleepovers are not discouraged or prohibited in your contract. And he wouldn’t even have to do the walk of shame since you have your own elevator and entrance.”
Kendra rolled her eyes and sniffed. “This is only our second date, Tucker. He has a ways to go before he earns his way into my knickers.”
I snorted, and she glared at me before spinning around and marching through the kitchen door that led to her suite of rooms. I’d known Anthony for a long time, and I trusted him to treat Kendra right. But I made a mental note to have a “chat” with him about what would happen if he hurt her.
Still chuckling, I returned to the foyer for my suitcases. Then I took the elevator up to the third floor, which was comprised solely of the master suite, complete with a wraparound veranda and a sitting room that I’d had converted into an art studio. The elevator exited into another vestibule, and the door to the suite opened into a hallway. I headed left to unpack my bags in the bedroom. Once I was done, I explored the rest of the house so that I would be familiar enough to give Eva a thorough tour.
Returning to the bedroom, I took a quick shower, then I wrapped a towel around my waist and stood at the sink to trim my thin beard. Despite the fact that I was biologically related to my adopted father, I looked nothing like him or my adopted mom. I took after my birth mother with dark hair, tan skin, and brown eyes, though my six-foot-two height and muscular build came from the Carrington side of the family. I stayed in shape with regular workouts, but when I moved to England, I’d also taken up playing rugby. I even managed to find a league in New York so I could continue to play.
I’d been told I was easy on the eyes, but the only ones I was interested in were Eva’s. The thought prompted me to check my watch, and I saw that it was nearing eight. I hurried my pace, wanting to arrive at my destination shortly after the hour. Once I’d dressed in black slacks with a black jacket and button-down shirt with an open collar, I grabbed my keys and wallet and headed out.
