Dropping Finn at Crèche I make my way to work and without hesitation decline two calls from Sebastian en route. I’m not ready to speak to him yet. I need a hot drink and a good few hours ploughing myself head first into plans for The Ashton’s additional bedroom makeovers. It will anger him further but right now, it was worth it to enable me these next few additional hours.
Once at work, I check in with Jackie and spend an hour catching up on general office communication. She smiles as she supplies me with my 9th single rose from FWC and I take it from her, instantly guilty. He’d also sent a huge vase of lilies, which Jacks had placed on show on the Reception desk.
“You can grab them on your way out, but they look lush here and I can admire them for the day, if that’s OK with you?”
“Of course. Thanks, Jack. Was there a card for the lilies?”
“No. Just the black box.”
I nod and make my way to my desk - I have to tell him soon.
Finally at 12pm I’m left alone with my thoughts. My unopened e-mails twinkle annoyingly at me but before I open any of them, I slip the note from the cream envelope and promptly frown.
He seemed excessively pissed - I mean, I know I’ve been distant, and it’s not fair to him but at the same time as I hold the rose to my nose, I wish he could just give me a minute to figure things out. We don’t work apart though and Sebastian Silver didn’t do distance, not where I was concerned. But isn’t that what you love about him? I remind myself.
No, he was confused and he had every right to be. Not long now, Seb, I promise.
Sighing, I make a head-start with my inbox through each one, cataloguing, deleting and replying where necessary. As I’m responding to a lengthy message with regard to The Gilded Fox, another email pings into my inbox and I instinctively click on it.
To: Lucia Myers
Subject: Obviously only way to get in touch with you
From: Sebastian Silver
Don’t know what I’ve done but call me. I don’t take kindly to being ignored…
or declined. What are you hiding from me?
We need to talk.
I won’t disturb you at work but text me with a time for me to come to yours tonight.
I mean it, Lu - I’m a mess here and it doesn’t sit well with me.
Seb
Sebastian Silver
CEO Silver Construction
I chew my lip in concentration. Shit. Shit! I really had played this badly. Of course he was a mess, I would be too if he’d suddenly pulled away from me after the week we’d shared together. I grab my phone and text him immediately, then delete his email. I don’t receive an immediate reply but to be honest I don’t deserve a response. Tonight I would make this right, no matter the outcome - at least we would both know where we stood.
I’m sorry, baby. 8pm at mine. Love you. x
“Now then, my pretty - boy have I missed you.”
I look up at the sound of my darling camp Design Assistant and lean back into my chair. “Colin Duttine, the man of the hour.”
“Moi? What have I been doing this time?”
I chuckle. “Nothing bad I promise. I’ve just been reading some emails and Mrs Jeffrey's is overjoyed with her new granny-flat extension. So much so, she’s added a bonus for you. I’ll make sure you get it in this month’s pay packet.”
“Oooh - it makes it all worth while.”
“It does doesn’t it.” I grin at his dramatic expression.
“No seriously, doll, I had to listen to her drone on about her gout for weeks but we got there in the end and the place is great now. Who’d have thought that apple green could be the next big thing.”
“Well, it’s what the client wanted and you made it work - a proper English country garden and she loves it. In fact, she’s entered us into the Homes and garden’s competition.”
“Shut the front door!”
“I kid you not. I’m really proud of you. Thanks for running this place in my absence, Col - you’ve done an amazing job - and you, Jackie. I holler in her direction and she waves, whilst talking into her headset.
“So was it dreamy?”
“The holiday?”
“No stupid - the bloody visit to Crèche this morning - yes, the holiday.”
“It was one of a kind, Col. Seriously special. You and James would love it! Are you two alright now?”
He flicks my comment away with is hand. “Ah, we’re fine, it was just me overreacting as usual - he’s asked me to move in with him!”
“Oh. My. God! That’s brilliant news! You’ll be living at The Ashton? How’d you feel?”
“Whoa, steady, giddy lady - I’m good with it all now - wasn’t at first - definitely threw a bit of a peach cobbler but in the end, James calmed me and gave me a beautiful pink silk smoking gown, and matching slippers and said he needed me. I mean what more can a man want?”