"Good morning, Gail." I used her first name. Ever since she'd started working for me, she insisted I call her Gail rather than Mrs. Clark.
"Jace," she nodded. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"I don't know." I shrugged. I wish I knew more about Olivia. I didn't even know what she liked to eat for breakfast.
Gail cocked a brow. "You don't know?"
"I have a woman here and I'm not sure what she'd like?" I was surprised to feel my heart thump nervously at the words.
"A woman?" She gasped. Dropping the towel onto the counter. I wanted to tell her to pick up her open jaw with her now free hand, but refrained for the sake of politeness. "In all the years I've worked here, I only ever met one woman you were seeing and she was a little weird. What's this one like?" I knew she was blunt and referring to Lexie. She was like family, so I ignored the annoyance her statement brought on and answered her question.
"Her name is Olivia." I said gruffly. "She's nothing like anyone I've ever been with."
"Good to hear." She nodded. "Where is the girl?"
"Sleeping." I ran a hand through my hair. "I don't know when she'll be up."
"All right then," she went back to wiping the counter. "I look forward to it. Did you want anything to eat in the meantime?"
"No." I shook my head, stepping backward to my office. "I'll wait for her."
I didn't miss the knowing glimmer in Gail's eyes as I turned my back on her snickering face. My relationship with Gail was much like my relationship with my mother. They were both women I respected highly and cared for deeply. In all the years Gail worked for me, she had never once held her tongue. It was refreshing.
I shook the thought from my mind and wandered into my office. I powered on my Mac and checked my phone as I waited. I had countless texts and missed calls from Caleb. Most of them were asking me where I was in a variety of different approaches. I chuckled as I opened his last text message.
Where the hell are you? Answer your phone! I chuckled as I read the message and as though on queue, another one came in. I opened it. I'm on my way over.
I laughed out loud and messaged him back. I'm fine. Olivia's here. Won't be in.
A few seconds passed and my phone rang. Caleb's name lit the screen and I cursed.
"What a girl." I muttered under my breath as I answered the call. "What, Caleb?"
"I shoulda known you had Olivia with you. She's the only damn reason you bail on work." He joked.
"I'm working right now."
"Right, her maybe."
"I wouldn't be talking to you if I was working her."
"Touché." Caleb chuckled. "You coming in tomorrow? We have the conference call." He reminded me as though I would forget.
"I'll be in." I leaned back in the chair and stared up at the roof. "That project I transferred to you, the one in Italy," I thought of the land I'd purchased for the hotel resort I intended on building in Italy because that was where Olivia wanted to travel to and ran a hand through my hair. "I want to take over it."
"Man, I've put blood, sweat and tears into this project."
"I'm sure you have." I replied dryly.
"Why do you want it?" Caleb asked, all humor gone from his tone.
"It's none of your business."
"It is if you want it." Caleb said confidently.
"I bought the property for Olivia." I admitted.
"I knew you did, man." Caleb sighed. "Building in Italy just didn't make sense. It has nothing in common with our other locations."
"It's in a prime location." I reminded Caleb. "It's a perfect honeymoon site with the vineyards and whatnot."
"So you keep telling me." I could only imagine he was shaking his head. "I'll transfer the files to your email."
"Thanks." I said. "See you tomorrow."
"Later."
I hung up the phone and signed into my email. I hoped Caleb was quick to deliver the file. I couldn't wait to propose a trip to Olivia.
Chapter 7
I woke to an empty bed and frowned. Where was Jace? I remembered him being here when I'd fallen asleep, but he was nowhere to be seen. I rolled onto my stomach and spotted my purse on the nightstand. I glared at the black bag I knew housed my phone before wiggling over the mattress. I grasped hold of my purse and dig through it for my phone. I powered it on and thanked heaven that it wasn't dead. I had a bone to chew with Trisha.
Backstabber! I texted her.
Her reply was immediate. Sorry…how is he? How R U?
Angry. With U.
Please understand. You weren't acting like yourself.
I know.
I didn't know what to do. I love you.