Right Billionaire, Wrong Wedding (Sexy Billionaires)(13)

“I appreciate it,” she said, and she’d never meant any words more.

“Good luck.” The redhead pushed up from her chair and headed for the door.

With a sigh, Allison turned back to her computer. Two hours and a dozen phone calls later, she’d come up with three locations that seemed to be a decent fit.

Grabbing the addresses, she walked the short distance to Darian’s office door and rapped on the dark wood.

“Come in,” she heard him call.

“I’ve found a few places for us to check out,” she said, pushing into his office.

Darian glanced up from his desk and she was gratified to see an equal mass of paper decorated his workspace as did hers.

“Sorcery,” he said, dropping his pen and pushing back in his chair. “Everywhere I’ve called has been fully booked.”

“Well, I had to get a little unconventional,” she said, taking a seat before the desk.

“How unconventional?”

Her lips twitched, though she fought to bite back her smile. His tone did not sound very reassuring.

“Three possibilities. One is a tea garden downtown, but it might be too small. There is a brewery on the west side that’s available, and before you say anything”—she held up her hand as he was about to object—“they have a lovely event space with exposed brick and redesigned salvaged lights. City rustic chic.”

“Hipster chic maybe. What’s the third place?”

“A hobby vineyard outside the city. They’ve got incredible gardens and a space large enough to house the reception.”

He let out a long sigh. “You really think these are our best options?”

“I do. Unless you want me to try and bump someone. I’m sure with the weight of King Enterprises behind you some venue would—”

“I’m not ruining someone else’s wedding day just because Jenny is impulsive.”

Her heart fluttered at the words in a way she did not appreciate. How did he manage to be as successful as he was in business and hold on to that firm sense of honor? But that was Darian. He always tried to find the right way for as many people as he could.

“Show me the pictures of the brewery.”

She handed over the papers and waited.

“I’d rather keep this as a backup unless the other two places fall through. Shall we go see them?”

“Now?” she asked.

“I have no more meetings today, and I can catch up on the work I miss tonight. Unless you aren’t free?”

She shrugged. “You’re the boss. Let me grab my purse and the rest of the details I’ve collected.”

“I’ll call up a car.”

Allison dashed back to her office to grab her messenger bag and the binder she’d started organizing her research in. She shrugged into her coat before heading to Gillian’s office next door.

“I’m heading out to see venues with Darian. Can you cover me if anything comes up?” she asked.

Gillian nodded. “No problemo. Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She twirled in her chair. “To be fair that doesn’t leave out much.”

“I owe you,” she said with a wave before making her way to the elevators.

Darian was already there when she arrived. His overcoat hung open, with a blue scarf tossed around his neck. She smiled at the sight. Though the weather wasn’t yet cold enough to warrant such an accessory it wasn’t the first year it had made an early appearance. In fact, that particular scarf had a habit of appearing the second the calendar hit fall and stayed in place well into spring.

Ever since she’d given it to him for Christmas her first year here.

He’s just wearing it to be polite, she reasoned.

For four years? a devilish inner voice asked.

“Ready?” he asked her.

She gave herself a mental shake. “Absolutely.”

They rode down to the underground car park in silence. A car would no doubt be waiting for them when they stepped out of the elevator, ready to whisk them away to the vineyard.

“Might be a forty-five minute drive or so,” Darian said as the doors opened.

“That’s fine,” she replied, following him to the car. “I’ve got my tablet with me. I can work off that.”

He cast her a quizzical look. “I just meant your afternoon might be a write off.”

“Oh.”

Opening the back door, he gestured for her to get inside.

Allison folded into the back seat and pulled her binder from her bag as she waited for Darian to walk around to his side.

In no time they were out on the bustling city streets, weaving their way through traffic.

“I appreciate the company,” he said, hooking an ankle over his knee.