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Grant looked over at her sharply before he nodded once. “Yes, it is.”
He opened the door and gestured for her to step inside. Her mouth dropped open as she took in the soaring entryway, complete with dark hardwood and a white staircase that curled up to a loft lined with bookshelves. Unlike the home she’d spent countless summers in, this one combined elegance with a homey feel. The art on the walls blended shots of New York City and the Hamptons with pictures of Brazil.
Alexandra walked up to one photo of a footbridge painted a vivid red made all the more eye-catching by the brilliant blue sky behind it.
“That’s the bridge at the Dragão do Mar, isn’t it?”
Silence followed her question before Grant cautiously answered.
“Yes. My cousin sent me that photo.”
Alexandra glanced over her shoulder, barely catching the flash of pain in his eyes before his billionaire’s mask dropped back into place. An ache built in her chest. She had never had any emotional attachment to the places she’d lived. Even the Hamptons home, one that had been in the family for centuries, had been redone so many times by David and the women parading through his life that all of its charm had been smothered by tasteless renovations.
What would it be like to have a home she missed so acutely? A loss made worse by the knowledge that she would most likely never be able to return without risking her life?
“It looks like an amazing place.”
“It is.” The ghost of a smile flickered about Grant’s lips. “My father took me to the planetarium when it first opened. I’d never seen anything like it.”
Before she could ask more, he stepped away and headed down the hall.
“We have thirty minutes before we have to fly back.”
The moment of camaraderie evaporated as Grant walked briskly throughout the house. She focused on taking photos of the breakfast room, formal dining room, library, beach deck and the pool deck. She asked questions, took notes and showed Grant pictures of what she’d envisioned. His replies were direct and professional, with no hint of the fire she’d glimpsed out on the helipad. Whatever had been there had been brief. Perhaps he’d felt some of the sexual tension, or maybe he’d seen her wide-eyed reaction to his touch and been irritated by it.
They moved upstairs.
“There will be five couples, including one who is bringing their adult daughter, and another couple with teenagers. Laura Jones and several other executives will also be present off and on throughout the week. The four-person catering crew will be staying in the guesthouse.”
Alexandra walked past the open doors of the guest rooms. It had been a long time since she had been surrounded by such luxury. Each one had been decorated individually, from pale blues to soft lavenders. All were welcoming and full of light from the numerous windows. Every suite had its own balcony and full bathroom, complete with marble jetted tubs. It would be easy to do arrangements for each room, with little tweaks for each morning so that guests would be greeted as they returned from breakfast with pleasant displays that matched the themes and colors of each room.
“The rooms are beautiful.”
“They should be. Each cost a quarter of a million to renovate between the bathrooms, furnishings and balconies.”
The facts were stated plainly. But even after all this time, she knew Grant and heard the faintest hint of smugness beneath the words. She glanced sharply at him. She’d been pleased when he’d offered her a tour of the house. It was much easier to design flowers for a space she’d experienced herself. Yet, ever since he’d had walked into The Story Keeper and offered to hire her, she’d wondered why. Why had he hired someone he obviously still loathed? Sure, she’d saved him a few thousand dollars, but he had millions at his fingertips.
As he pointed out several other customized features, including imported Italian marble in the shower, a nasty voice whispered that perhaps Grant had hired her for another reason entirely—to rub his success in her face.
No. Even though he wasn’t bothering to hide his dislike of her, she couldn’t imagine Grant hiring her just out of spite.
“You’ve accomplished a lot.”
“I have.”
“Is it enough?”
The question slipped out before she could stop it.Too personal, she thought frantically, but it was too late to take it back.
He blinked, then frowned. “Is what enough?”
She decided to go all in and gestured to the opulent wealth surrounding them. “All of this? The Pearson Group?”
“Of course. Aside from achieving my first billion, I’ve accomplished all of my goals.”
She should be happy for him. But something in his words rang hollow.
“That’s great.”
