The Perfect Plans Series [Box Set] (36 page)

“GOOD MORNING,” ANDREW smiles as I open the door. “I’ve got coffee.” Holding up two large take-out cups, he flashes an even bigger smile.

“Thanks, that’s very thoughtful,” I take one of the welcome morning treats. “Come on in.”

Following me inside, he takes a seat on the sofa.

“Where did you get the coffee?”

“Just down a few blocks, there’s a great little café. I hit it every morning. I’m a good cook, but my coffee sucks,” he chuckles. “It’s a little chilly out there this morning, you might want to grab a sweater.”

Turning to look at him more closely, I note his dark grey wool hooded pullover, zipped slightly atop a white t-shirt, hanging over his blue jeans. I also notice his handsome face is still adorned with stubble, though slightly longer than it was yesterday. I wonder if he’s growing it out, or maybe that’s his style. Either way, it looks good on him. Like Alex, I bet he has to shave twice a day to avoid a five o’clock shadow. “I’ll just run upstairs and grab one. Back in a jiffy . . . ”

“Take your time, we have all day,” he calls out after me.

Yes, we do,
I remind myself, making my way into the bedroom. I hope this takes all day, or as much of it as possible. Just over two days to go. God, I can’t wait to see Alex.
His middle of the night call was a very unexpected and amazing treat.

Standing before the full-length mirror, I absently run my fingers along my jaw, adjusting my long wavy hair from under my sweater. The memories of my own touch at his sensually erotic instructions send delicious tingles everywhere I had imagined him. Who knew I had that in me? Alexander Tate knows how to work magic.

Closing my eyes, I bask in a vision of Alex—those tantalizing baby-blue eyes and perfectly formed lips, the way they turn into a slightly crooked, dazzling smile; how I have to look up to take in his glorious face atop his tall beautifully sculpted form. He’s perfect in every way imaginable.

Opening my eyes, I take in my bitten bottom lip.
Oh, you have me hooked Alex Tate. Absolutely hooked.
His effect on me looks good, I might add, noticing the healthy pink glow in my completely smitten face. I feel more than pretty in my long beige wool sweater, open over my ruffled white sleeveless blouse and dark skinny jeans. I feel beautiful, radiating in my dream-like happiness. This is the way I’m supposed to feel. This is the beginning of my
more.

“I’M READY TO go when you are,” I step into the sitting room, smiling at Andrew.

“You look amazing.” He stares at me momentarily, his face suddenly filling with an edge of embarrassed shyness. “Alex is a lucky guy,” he recovers with a genuine smile. “Kick-ass car
and
a beautiful lady. I may have to get some tips.”

So he
is
single. I may have to confirm that fact for Emily. He’s more than cute, a really nice guy, cooks, loves to travel . . . Yes, I definitely feel a matchmaker role in the making. “Thanks for the compliment,” I smile, grabbing my bag, deciding it best to leave my interrogation of his love life for later. “Ready to go?” I pull the strap over my shoulder, the large satchel resting at my hip.

“Let’s do it,” he stands.

“WE’RE GOING TO take the Circle Line, see that’s the yellow line here,” Andrew points to the map of the London Tube. “We’ll take this train until we reach Victoria. We’ll switch trains here, and get on the Victoria Line, this blue one. That will take us to Pimlico and then we’re back on foot,” he adds, tracing his finger over the described routes.

On the map, it doesn’t look that difficult. It does, however, look like a lot of area to cover. But it’s hard to tell from the outline of roads, parks and landmarks. We’ll be crossing through southwest Central London, making our way towards the River Thames. I’ve done it in the car with Alex, though that’s always filled with conversation—a quick passing of time, lost in his beguiling charm. I’ve even walked pieces of it on separate occasions. But this route, and new means, is a mystery to me.

“The commute on the tube won’t be much longer than your ride in the car—or in a taxi, depending on traffic,” Andrew looks up towards me, “Has Alex driven you to work before?”

“Yes.” Just imagining Alex’s gorgeous face, his strong hands—one on the steering wheel, the other on my thigh—fills me with delicious tingles.

“Well, you were right to decide to forgo the taxi route. That would certainly add up in Central London traffic. There’s the train,” he smiles, grabbing my hand to pull me through the throng of waiting riders. Releasing me as we take our seats, his eyes find mine, “Sorry, I just wanted to make sure I didn’t lose you in the crowd.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m grateful you
didn’t
lose me,” my smile is reassuring. “I can’t get over how busy it is. Is it always like this?”

“Welcome to Central London,” he flashes his pearly whites.
He really has great teeth.
“It must be the same in Toronto, no?”

“I never rode the subway in Toronto.”

“Really?”

“Nope. Liam . . . ” I stop at the casual slip of my husband’s name.

“Liam?”

“My fri-end . . . he had to pass my office on his way to work, so I always had a ride.”

“Convenient,” he offers his warm closed-lip smile. “Your
friend
makes you blush when you talk about him.” He shrugs his shoulders at my shocked, and further embarrassed expression, “What can I say, I’m a journalist. I notice things. And I don’t really have a filter when it comes to my curiosity.”

“A walking, talking lie-detector. Good to have around, I guess,” I offer a playful smile with my joke, successfully disarming my pending defensiveness. I really have to get that under control. It’s not Andrew’s fault that my former life so easily falls into conversation. It’s an inevitable happenstance, one I’m going to have to get used to.

“I’m your guy,” he returns my smile. “So, Liam’s not just a friend, is he?”

Geez, this guy really is no holds-barred
.
“Busted,” I smirk, “He’s my soon to be
ex
-husband.”

“Ahhh, the back-story behind the big move surfaces.”

“Yes,” I nod. “I decided to start a new life, a fresh start far away from the one I walked away from,” I confess, looking towards the window, recalling the decision and all of its motions, before and after.

“You left Liam.” Andrew isn’t asking, he’s working out the story as he goes with my blubbering assistance. He searches my gaze when I turn to face him, concern lacing his thick brows down over his blue eyes, the fun-loving flicker replaced with remorse, “I’m sorry, Aby, you don’t have to talk about this. I may be prone to endless intrigue, but you can shut me up if you want to.”

“No, it’s okay. Your nosiness doesn’t bother me,” I tease.

“Ouch,” his big, wide smile is contagious. “Come on, it’s journalistic intrigue.” His spirit, much like Stacey’s, is infectious. I could sit here riding the subway all day long with him, laying out my full life story, and not feel any remorse about sharing it. “Next stop is ours. We have to switch trains. Ready?” he holds out his hand for me as the train comes to a stop.

Placing my hand in his, I follow him through the throng of people exiting and entering the open doors. “Good timing, the next train on our route will be here any minute,” he gestures to the notice board. “It’s the Victoria Line you switch to after the Circle Line,” he adds, referencing the map.

“It’s not nearly as daunting as I expected. Thanks again, Andrew.”

“It’s really my pleasure. The company’s not bad,” he winks, nudging my shoulder. “Let’s go,” he smiles, taking my hand once more.

“AND HERE WE are. There’s your office right over there,” Andrew points towards the tip of Ashley-Fines, its glass peaked roof glimmering in the sunshine.

“It took no time at all,” I turn to face him. “Thank you for taking me, although I have to admit, I feel a little embarrassed that it was so . . . easy.”

“Hey, don’t be. It’s your first time. I’m glad I was able to help,” he offers a gentle smile. “So, I was thinking we could keep going. I can show you around some of the other lines, but maybe we should head back the way we came, just to be sure you’re familiar with the route home.”

“We’re going back already?” I blurt, the dread at returning to my empty flat so soon evident in my voice.

He looks a little surprised, “Oh, well, no, not if you don’t want to. There’s a café over there, we could grab another coffee.”

“Great! Let’s go.” Determined, I head in the direction of the coffee shop, suddenly realizing that he’s not moving along with me. Stopping, I turn to look at him.

He’s still standing in place. Shaking his head a little, he finally walks to catch up, his bright toothy smile filling his face as we make our way to the café.

“I WOULD LOVE a caramel macchiato, please,” I smile up at the waitress.

“A double espresso,” Andrew places his order before the pretty young woman turns and walks away.

“What are you smiling about?” I question, his lingering smile still plastered on his face.

“I’m just enjoying the fact that I get to spend the morning with you in the absence of your boyfriend.” Offering him my squinty eye, he elaborates, “Hey, I think it goes without saying, if Alex wasn’t away, you would definitely not be sitting here with me.”

I purse my lips at his accuracy.

“I don’t mind being used,” he adds with a teasing grin.

“Ha, ha, very funny.”

“In all seriousness, you’re quite the smitten kitten with your new boyfriend. You light up whenever you hear his name. You actually light up whenever you think about him.”

“I do? How do you know when I’m thinking about him? And what makes you think it’s new?” Smiling up at the waitress as she lays our drinks on the table, I take a sip, looking to Andrew for his response. He simply smirks, taking a sip of his espresso. “Right, the journalist. Maybe you should work for the government?” I tease.

“So, when did you meet him?”

Laying down my oversized mug, I take a breath, remembering our encounter at The Wellington Club. “Just over two weeks ago,” I smile at the memory. “It was an accident. Literally.”

“An accident?”

“I fell into his lap.” I laugh at Andrew’s overemphasized look of sarcastic disbelief. “Stop it, I’m serious,” I smack his arm lightly. “Someone knocked me into his lap.”