Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“No,” I said shortly. “I’m fine.”
“As a newly married man, I now have a new appreciation for the words ‘I’m fine.’ They mean anything but.”
“I said I’m fine.”
“Okay, then. Whatever you say.” He picked up a stack of papers. “We need to go through these renovations you want done to the restaurant.”
“It’s looking tired. I want it spruced up.”
He glanced at the file. “A two-million-dollar paint job? Seems a bit excessive.”
I had to smirk. “That’s an entire overhaul. Walls, floors, ceiling, windows, seating. I liked their concepts. They want to make the view and the food the focal points, not the drapes and carpet. It’s clean and simple, yet classy and understated.”
“I agree. We’ll lose business while it’s closed.”
“It’ll be a month. I’m paying extra for round-the-clock crews. And the kitchen will still be open. We’ll serve in the overflow area. Smaller, but make it so hard to get into, everyone will want it for a month. Meaghan is planning a whole new menu.”
“You’ve been busy while I was gone.”
I lifted a shoulder. A sound came from my computer, and I glanced at the screen. Effie was at my desk, going through her paperwork. Her hair fell around her face, a curtain of ebony. She pushed her hair back and leaned on her elbow, cupping her chin. I studied her face. Even bruised, she was lovely.
“Roman?”
“Sorry, I was thinking about something else.”
“You want to reno the spa too?”
I shook my head to get my mind back on track. “No reno unless needed. I want to improve it. My secret shopper said the Conroy is more luxurious. The masseuse there is supposed to be incredible.”
“He is, according to our sources. But he is a package deal. His wife is their aesthetician. And from what I was able to find out, they have it good there.”
“I can make it better,” I said confidently. “We have an incredible area, the view can’t be beat, and I can offer more money and give them some say in how the spa is run. I want this to be the best.”
“I’ll arrange a meeting.”
His phone rang, and he stood to answer it. I glanced back at the screen, seeing Effie was on the phone. I hit speaker, wanting to know what she was saying.
“Thanks, Margi. No, I’m recovering.” She listened for a moment. “Um, it’s complicated. Mr. Costas is being very kind and helpful.” Another pause. “No, I’m fine. Really. I’m being well looked after. I can’t recall the last time I slept this much.” She nodded absently. “Yes, I was very lucky he was there when I was hit by the car.” She shut her eyes. “Yep, such a huge coincidence he’d been at the diner and recognized me.”
She asked a few questions about the diner. Listened again. “Um, I’m not sure. Maybe next week? If you need anything…” She trailed off and looked around. “Well, you have Roman’s number. My cell phone is in my apartment.” She pressed her lips together, and I was surprised to see the tears in her eyes. “I have access to my email, so you can send anything that needs my attention. Okay, I have to go, Margi. Thank you for stepping up. I’ll make sure you’re rewarded.”
She hung up and buried her face into her hands. For a moment, her shoulders shook, and then she stopped, wiped her eyes, and straightened her posture. I wasn’t sure what was making her cry, but I didn’t like it. And I hated the fact that I didn’t like it.
A knock sounded, and I heard Vi’s voice sing out a greeting. Effie smiled at her, and I muted the speakers.
A throat clearing brought me out of my musings.
“Watching your girl?”
“She isn’t my girl.”
“Your prisoner, then?”
I hated that descriptor even more.
“Your wife just arrived.”
“I know. She was in the kitchen getting Effie a smoothie. She gets the chef to add protein powder since Effie’s appetite isn’t great.”
I rubbed my eyes. “I know. I had to hand-feed her last night to get food into her.”
There was silence, and I looked up. Aldo was staring at me. “You hand-fed her.”
“She wasn’t eating.”
“I often don’t eat, and you don’t feed me.”
“You don’t look like Effie,” I replied.
“And how exactly does she look?”
“Like she needs to be looked after.”
He stared again. I met his gaze. “I have to make sure she is okay before I let her go.”
“Which will be when?”
I reached for a file. “When I decide the time is right. Now, are we working or gossiping?”
He chuckled. “I’d say we’re falling, but I don’t want to get slugged.”
“Fuck off.”
“Okay, boss. Now, what is next on the list?”
A couple of days later, we were back in the same office, planning. Effie was still upstairs in my suite, and Vi was coming to see her again. Effie had been sleeping a lot, and I made sure she ate, ensuring the kitchen sent up a couple of the protein drinks to her during the day along with her meals. She checked with her staff a few times, but they were handling the place well in her absence. Effie told me she liked to read, and I bought her a Kindle and a subscription to an all-you-could-read service she liked. It kept her happy and quiet, and I often glanced at the computer when I was out of my office to see her asleep over the device. I liked watching her sleep for some reason. Her peaceful naps seemed to help calm me. I knew she was looking forward to seeing Vi today, though. Last night she’d been restless, asking about going home again.