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I can’t believe he can see right through me, but it’s the truth.
He then continues, “Secondly, I want to read your work, not because of my business, but because I am so captivated by you and want to see how you reveal yourself on those pages. I wouldn’t criticize or placate you, but I understand if you aren’t ready for that, yet. I know how intimate a book can be to its author. Can I also say I believe that your writing will speak for itself, no matter where you send it; so, there is nothing to be worried about. But finally, please don’t exclude KPC because of our relationship. I want your book to be picked up by the best and wouldn’t just publish it because of our relationship. The world needs to hear what you have to say, and I believe it will be incredible, even if I haven’t read it.”
A smile creeps over my face, and a blush makes its way up my neck. His sweet words make my eyes misty. He believes in me?
“Thank you, Miles, for everything you just said. You don’t know how much everything you said means to me. But there’s no reason to worry with publishers yet. It’s not even completed. So,” I say, trying to think of a topic change. “What will you be doing for the holidays?” I ask.
?I hear him give a little chuckle and know it is because of my subject change. “Well, my brother and I went to my mother’s estate for Thanksgiving. Our company hosts aChristmas Gala that gives to a charity for mental illness and sickness in children around the city. I believe that’s on December fifth. I haven’t made plans for Christmas yet. My mother oftentimes travels to Italy to visit family during that time, so I’ll most likely just be in the city. How about your plans?” he asks.
“The charity sounds incredible. It’s great of you to get involved with those children, especially this time of the year. Plus, that’s a very wonderful day to have a gala.” I smile and laugh.
“December fifth? Is that day something special I need to be aware of?”
“Yes, particularly important. It’s my birthday, sadly not the national holiday it should be, but such is life.” I begin to laugh hard, then hear him laugh as well. “I’m just kidding you. I mean, yes, it is my birthday, but not a holiday by any means. Honestly, I try to forget the day all together. Although Sarah makes it exceedingly difficult, because no matter my objections, she always wants to celebrate. And once you get to know her, then you realize arguing with her is a losing battle.”
“Well, now that I know your birthday, it will not go unnoticed. I may have to coordinate with Sarah.” He laughs and the sound warms my heart.
?“Oh, you don’t need to do anything. That’s only a week away! I’m sure you’ll have your hands full with the gala. Please, don’t go to any trouble for me,” I say, even though I know I’m kidding myself. He doesn’t want me to walk home alone at night; I’m fairly sure he will try and go all out for my birthday, which he doesn’t need to do. My birthdays, since I was twelve, have been filled with disappointment, except for the ones that didn’t include my parents. However, something seems to always go wrong. I would rather sleep through the day and wake up on the sixth.
He scoffs like I’m being ridiculous. “Lizzie, you are special to me. We are celebrating your birth. No arguments, because I know you’re trying to brew up some excuse in that beautiful head of yours.”
“Oh, so you think you know me, do you?” I say teasingly.
“Well, I’m working on it and looking forward to finding out more.” Oh, my heart squeezes a bit at his words. This man is something else. He really is one of a kind, and I feel the walls around my heart slowly start to crumble.
“I look forward to that too, Miles,” I say with a yawn.
“I heard that yawn. You need to get some sleep. We will talk tomorrow. I enjoyed our talk tonight, Lizzie. Goodnight, beautiful,” he rasps in a soft, sexy tone that sends shivers up my body.
“I loved it too, Miles. Sleep well,” I murmur as I disconnect the call.
I put the phone on my chest and fall onto my bed. I stare at my ceiling and recount the conversation we just had. I like him. I really like him. How did this happen so quickly? Is it fate? That’s what he calls it and what Sarah says too; it just seems like a fairytale, which I’ve always believed to be exactly that, a tale. Not real. But even I can’t deny there is this pull I feel toward him, and I don’t want to resist it. I know what I told myself, but I would regret not giving him a chance. Miles Knight Jr. just might be my Mr. Darcy. That thought brings a smile to my face, and I drift off to sleep.
Chapter 11
Miles
It’s Tuesday afternoon and I’ve been busy all day. I have only had a few moments to send off some texts to Lizzie letting her know I’m thinking about her. I’m going through some last-minute emails before I leave for the day when there’s a knock on my door. In comes Elijah, my assistant.
With his iPad in hand, he sits in front of my desk and scrolls through some documents on the screen. “I have the guest list for the gala next week for you to approve,” he remarks and hands me the iPad.
I scroll through it and see everyone that we invited to the gala. When I come to my name, I see there is a “plus one” beside it and I get an idea. The gala is on Lizzie’s birthday, and I can invite her to this Christmas ball. I think she’ll love it. I look up at Elijah. "This looks good. Add Elizabeth Brighton as my plus one."
“Are you sure, sir? You don’t normally bring dates to these events.” He looks at me skeptically. If he weren’t the best assistant I’ve ever had, then I’d let him know it’s none of his business. However, I just reply, “Yes, and I also need you to add her friend to the list, as well. Her name is Sarah McKenzie. Also, I want to order a special cake to be presented at the end of the night. It will be a birthday cake for Lizzie. I’d love for it to look like actual books, stacked on top of each other; the titles must be famous Jane Austen books, specificallyPride and Prejudice. Find a bakery that can make that happen on such short notice. Price isn’t an issue.” He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I shake it off.
“Yes, sir. Is there anything else I can take care of?” he offers. I think for a moment and shake my head. He rises and leaves my office. With that taken care of, I close my laptop, pull out my phone, and scroll through the contacts until I find the one I’m looking for.
“Mia, how are you? It’s been a while, but I was hoping you could help me with something,” I smile. Mia is my stylist, and she is a good friend of mine. I have no doubt that she’ll be able to help me with what I have in mind. “I need an evening gown, shoes, and jewelry for a gala, but I want to be there to help with the decisions. This is for someone important to me. Are you available to meet this week, the sooner the better, as the gala is next week?” I ask. I must hold the phone away from my ear because she is squealing with excitement. I chuckle and we make plans to meet tomorrow at lunch. I thank her immensely, and then slip the phone into my pocket. I grab my laptop so I can get some work done at home, then leave my office.
As I walk into my apartment, I head straight to the bar to pour a whiskey, and then head to the balcony. I turn on the heaters and sit in an armchair overlooking the Hudson. I take a sip and place the glass down. I’m trying to think if there is anything else that I can do for Elizabeth to make her birthday even more special. I don’t think we will have time to stop for a nice dinner beforehand, plus I know she will probably not want to rush with having to get ready. I wonder if Sarah already has plans for her birthday. I hope she’ll be able to attend as well because I know it would make Lizzie more comfortable. I smile to myself because I already know what will make my girl more comfortable.My girl.That has such a nice ring to it. I get up and grab my laptop, bringing it backto the balcony. I didn’t know Sarah’s last name until I googled “Sarah PR New York” at the office. Fortunately, the first thing that pops up is the website for Club VIBE, and I know she did the PR work for them. I go through the website until I find her business details. I need her contact information to plan everything I have in mind. I find her telephone number listed, and without hesitation, I pick up my cell and call her.
She answers after a few rings, and I introduce myself. She sounds surprised to hear from me, but I explain what I have planned. She seems very excited. I ask if there is anything else I can do to make the day better, and she suggests a spa day. What an excellent idea! Fortunately, Lizzie doesn’t have to work that day, so she’ll have the whole day free. I invite Sarah to the gala, which she immediately accepts.
I am about to let her go when she says, “I just want you to know that I like you, Miles. I believe you are one of the good guys left, but believe me when I say, if you hurt her, then you will have me to deal with. She has been through so much in her life that she deserves all the happiness in the world.” I begin to interrupt, but she continues, “I know you have only known each other for a short amount of time, but I see the way she looks when she speaks about you. The fact that you are going through all this to make her happy makes me happy. I just don’t want you to lead her on if this is just a conquest you’re looking for.”
After she finishes, I’m speechless. I know Sarah is a good friend, who is very protective of Lizzie, but I want to protect her, too. I hate she hasn’t had the best life, but I want to make her happy now that I’m in it. “I assure you, Sarah, I am very much invested in Lizzie. We have undeniable chemistry, and I’m not looking for a one-night tryst. I am all in and have told her that, as well. I want to prove myself to her. This has been a whirlwind of a relationship so far, but I believe I was meant to meet her that day; I’m not going to throw this away,” I respond.This seems to mollify Sarah, and I let her know that I’ll send the spa and gala details to her as soon as I can, then we end the call.
I drain the rest of my whiskey and begin to think of Lizzie and her past. I only know the tip of the iceberg, but I want to know everything. I need to know what’s happened to make her so untrusting with men. I won’t ask Sarah because it’s something I want Lizzie to be comfortable telling me herself. I know she isn’t close with her father, but I just can’t seem to understand that. I loved my father and, even though we didn’t always agree on everything, I still can’t imagine cutting him out of my life… before he passed away, that is. I look out at the river and suddenly have this urge to hear Lizzie’s voice. I send her a text to see if she’s still working.
