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“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he called over his shoulder.
“Asher don’t leave us upset,” I called back laughing. “We promise to play nice.”
“No, you don’t, but beware.” He laughed and closed his door.
Chapter 50
AUGUST
Iwoke before my alarm went off, again. On my trek to the bathroom I hit the remote to open the room darkening curtains. On my way back from the bathroom the sun was rising through every window and Alexa told me the temperature was in the fifties with no rain or snow predicted. It was a perfect morning. Thanks to my competition with Imogen, I was craving a walk before my meetings.
I wonder if Imogen is up yet?
I grabbed my cell off the charging pad and sent her a text.
“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. I’m going for a walk, would you like to join me?”
I checked for a return message repeatedly while I dressed for the walk. She still hadn’t responded so I headed out myself. I sent a message to Halima to postpone the chef for an hour. I sent a second text to Pierre to postpone my meetings ‘til noon. I checked my cell once more, then left my room for a morning walk.
“It’s about time. I was just wondering if I needed to send Gunner in after you.” Imogen handed me a bottle of water. “Gunner went downstairs to wait for us.”
“We need to do something about that sweat suit you keep wearing. I’m sorry to say it, but it’s awful.” I put my hands up to ward off looking at it.
“Sweat suit? Do you mean this lovely trackie I’m wearing for the second, no wait, the third day?” She acted insulted. “I’ll have you know it’s this awful trackie that caused you to win that first day, so I’d be careful how you make fun of your very own lucky charm.”
I walked over and hit the elevator button. She followed, still going on about the “trackie”, as she called it. When the doors opened, Gunner was inside staring at us.
“There you are. I was coming up to see if you went back to bed.” Gunner waved us in and hit the down button. “Do we have a destination this morning or walking aimlessly?”
“Well, Imogen here says I only won the first day because of that awful sweat suit. What do you think?” I asked, purposely involving Gunner for teaming with Imogen last night.
“Oh boy, that is one I’m staying out of, but nice try attempting to get me involved.” Gunner backed away from us. “I know how paybacks work.”
Imogen had zipped her jacket up over her mouth. I knew she was laughing behind that zipper. The elevator opened to the lobby and Gunner went ahead of us. I paused to talk to Imogen alone.
“I was thinking. Why don’t we go shopping today for a new wardrobe for you, then maybe lunch?” I asked. “All joking aside about the sweat suit, you need new clothes. Let’s call it a Valentine’s Week outing.”
“I’d love to, but don’t you need to work?” she asked, taking me by the hand and turning toward the lobby front doors. “Can I help you with any of your work?”
“You’re amazing,” I said, bringing our clasped hands to my mouth to kiss. “I’m offering to take you shopping, in Paris, and you want to know if you can help me with my work. I love that about you.”
We had reached the outside of the doors when a reporter shoved a microphone in our faces, yelling out questions, cameras flashing.
“You love what about her, Asher?” the reporter demanded. “Solitaire, where did you meet Asher? Where are you from? When is the wedding?”
“Okay folks, you got your pictures, let’s leave the happy couple alone,” Gunner said, hustling us back into the hotel lobby. “Mr. Hawthorne, the security guard is holding your elevator open. Go on back up, I’ll hold them off.”
We ran back into the elevator, the security guard pushed the up button, then turned his back to us to guard the doors. We stood in the middle of the elevator not saying a word. I was worried this was going to be too much for her. It was too much for me, but not something I hadn’t had to deal with over the years as a Hawthorne. I glanced over to her just as laughter bubbled out of her.
“That was fun and scary at the same time,” she said excitedly. “I almost wanna do it again. Did you hear them call me Solitaire?”
“That was crazy. Are you okay?” I asked. “You’d think I was a movie star or something.”
“Or something is exactly what you are,” she said, catching her breath. “I’m going to have to Google you to see just what you’ve been up to all these years.”
That’s exactly what I don’t want her to do. Not sure I can stop her though.
“Nah, nothing exciting. I used to like to spend a lot of money and play. That’s all.” I tried to brush it off as no big deal. “How would they know Gunner calls you Solitaire?”
