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I beamed. “Good luck, Mr. Crane.”
“I enjoy a challenge, Ms. Salomé.” He cleared his throat. “David will pick you up at Arch and I’ll meet you by the clock in the hotel. 6:30 p.m.”
A thrill shot through me. He was insisting. “I… Okay.”
“That’s better,” he said lightly. “See you Monday.”
My face ached from the width of my smile as I thought on the tingle that went through me at his praise. “See you then. Thanks.”
Placing the phone down, I stretched out on my bed and let out a shriek. Jonas Crane asked me out for dinner!No. He asked you out for a work dinner, silly. Either way, I was thrilled at just the chance to spend time with him again.
CHAPTER SIX
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Gregor strolled upto my desk on Monday morning with a grin on his face. “Guess who’s been invited to the Island after all?”
Squealing with delight, I jumped to my feet and hugged him. Arch had been trying to get invited to the exclusive Nile online publishing conference in the Hamptons, but had been shut out as only the top seven and a few small houses were ever invited to their private promotions and exclusive offers.
“Lily,” Gregor said with a feigned scowl as he hugged me back, and released me when I pulled away.
I beamed at him. “Congratulations, Gregor! How did it happen?”
Gregor folded his arms. “I’m not so sure myself, but I got a call today and an invitation to attend, and of course I won’t refuse, even if it is on short notice.” His eyes lit up. “This could mean… God I don’t even want to say yet what this could mean.” He frowned.
I jutted out my chin. “You won’t jinx it, and with Soul Sorrow, Bliss, and Quinton’s Memoirs, all at the top of the bestsellers, not to mention all the rest of our library doing well, they would be foolish to snub Arch.”
He reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “That’s what I needed, a Salomé’ special pep talk. Well and….”
I grabbed my notebook and started scribbling. “And I’ll start writing Arch’s announcement and send it over for your approval. Anything you need my help with? What about your flights? Agenda? I could get some of our PR marketing packages put together to take with you.”
He stroked his chin. “You are a wonder. PR has started….”
“But I’ll go give them a hand,” I said.
“They have covered the flights and hotel. I’ll just need a ride to the airport, which I can arrange on my own,” he said.
I arched a brow. “I’ll get the car service.”
“Nope. I’ll take a taxi,” Gregor said shaking his head.
“Déjà vu. I just had this same conversation with another man,” I said. As I moved to past him, he clasped my arm.
“With who?” Gregor asked, his brow lifted.
I titled my head up. “I’ve got news as well. Mr. Crane invited me for a work dinner tonight and practically ordered to pick me up,” I embellished.
“When did he call you?” Gregor asked, crossing his arms.
“Saturday. He wants to discuss Arch with me over dinner.” I turned back to my desk and opened my Word document file.
“You know, if you want, I could easily get Mia to go over for the closing part—” he said.
I shook my head. “No. It’s too late. Besides, I would like to go.”
He blew out a breath. I turned around and frowned. “Everything alright?”
“Yeah,” he replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
