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I shake, firm and manly, making sure he knows how dedicated I am. I read him well. “It’s my full-time job.” I blink, surprised, when Ava bursts into laughter, and I turn an interested look her way. She knows I’m serious.
“Come here, you silly sod.” Elizabeth claims Ava, pulling her away from me, and hugs her. I grit my teeth for her, feeling her pain, as her mum whispers in her ear, words of encouragement and support, I hope.
I look at Joseph. He rolls his eyes. “Right, are we eating or what?” he asks. “And I’m gagging for a pint.”
“Do you mind if I use your bathroom, Jesse?” Elizabeth asks. I don’t know her well, but I can see she’s just gagging to look around. I’ll indulge her.
“Sure.” I motion to the doorway. “Do a right and an immediate right again. Knock yourself out.”
“Pardon?”
I smile when Ava laughs, thrown back weeks to that Friday she walked into my office. “I’m sorry. Go for it. Like I said, right and right again. By the gym.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“So, what do you drive?” Joseph asks as I get Ava back, closer, putting her between my legs. I watch for Joseph’s reaction and get nothing. It’s a good sign.
“A DBS.”
His eyes light up. “Aston Martin?”
I nod, storing the information away for use later. He’s a petrol head. “That’s it.”
“Nice. And the hotel is in The Surrey Hills?”
“It is.” I look at the back of Ava’s head when she solidifies in my arms. “I’ll show you one day, perhaps on your next visit.”Like in a few weeks when we get married.
“Sure,” he muses, looking around the kitchen. “Elizabeth loves anything luxury.” Which is a massive advantage for me. “It’s a nice place you have here.”
“Thank you, but your daughter is responsible for that. I just bought it.”
“So, this is the big project that stole all of your time?” he asks Ava. “You did a good job.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She’s not relaxing in the least, so when I hear the door, I send her on her way to answer it, and she seems quite content with that.
“Who is it?” she asks, looking at me as she wanders off.
“I don’t know. Go and see.” I give my attention to Joseph. “That’ll be Kate, Sam, and Dan.”
“Oh, Kate. It will be nice to see her. Who’s Sam?”
“One of my best friends.”
He nods, taking another look around. “Ava designed all this?” he muses, clearly impressed. “I knew she was a talented girl, but this is something else.”
“Talented andreallydriven.”
He laughs. “And stubborn?”
“Yes,” I gasp, so relieved to hear he’s aware of the challenges I face.
“Well, you’re in for a ride, let me assure you of that.”
I laugh as a guy wanders into my kitchen, and I discreetly weigh him up. Ava’s brother. Older than her. A good-looking bloke. “Dad,” Dan says, bypassing me on the stool and greeting his old man.
“Hey, kid.” Joseph gives him an affectionate hug and then motions to me. “This is Jesse.”
Dan turns to me, all smiles, and offers his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
