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“Aww, don’t cry.” Jake grins. “I’ll probably come home to visit once in a while, especially when I put you in the old folks’ home.”
“I’m going to smack you around for that.” I move to chase after him, and Jake laughs and runs away from me. He doesn’t look scared in the least, because he knows I’m full of shit.
“It’s okay, old-timer. You can’t catch me.”
“Wanna bet?”
Now I do chase after him, and we run out of the stables and through the pasture to the treeline, in a full-out sprint. I catch up to him, and we tumble to the ground, then roll onto our backs and stare at the blue sky as we try to catch our breath.
“You’re pretty fast for an old guy.”
“I’m not that old, smartass.” I swallow hard, still panting. “I can still catch you.”
“Took you long enough.” But he’s laughing, and then he turns to me, those dark eyes full of humor. “Yeah, I like it here. Dad. Still getting used to saying that.”
“Still getting used to hearing it.” I grin at him. “But damn if I don’t like it.”
With a successful morning behind me, I make myself a sandwich and head up to the office to take some meetings and speak with Arthur.
Since our talk on the plane, he’s been professional and aloof. Cold. Not disrespectful or untrustworthy, but there’s now a rift in our relationship that wasn’t there before.
And honestly, I don’t care.
I treat him the same as I always have. I needed to put him in his place on that trip and remind him that I’m the boss. Not the other way around. I’d rather not have to train a new PA, but I will if I have to.
Just as I sit down at my desk, the phone rings, and I see that it’s London.
“Did you even have time to get back to your condo?” I ask her.
“Are you kidding? We’re headed to the airport. I wanted to let you know that I got you that invite to fashion week, via Dior, which is at the top of Polly’s favorite fashion houses, and I spoke with Anna. You owe me, Wild. Big time.”
I lean back in my chair and look out the window, watching Jake drive the side-by-side back to the house. “It’s all set, then?”
“All set in spades. Give me your travel itinerary when you know it, and I’ll get appointments set up for shopping at the fashion houses before the shows start. Polly will want to be dressed to the nines. Then, we’ll have appointments after the shows to buy what was shown for the new season. It’s so freaking awesome, Ryan.”
“I’ll email you when I have things ironed out.”
“You’ll want to call the Ritz right away,” she continues. “They know it’s you that’s taking the suite, but just to be sure.”
“I’ll call as soon as we hang up,” I assure her. “Thanks again.”
“Thank you. You just made Paris even better than usual, and that’s saying a lot. Oh, and I talked Drew into joining us, so double dates in France are on the docket.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Even better. Have a safe flight.”
“Talk later.”
She hangs up, and I immediately call the Ritz and make the arrangements for the suite, and also give them Arthur’s name so he can make further plans for me directly with the hotel.
With that settled, I call the man himself.
“Hello, sir,” he says stiffly.
“Good afternoon, Arthur. I want to let you know that I’ll be out of the office all of next week. Actually, make that ten days.”
He’s quiet for a moment. “You’re taking a vacation?”
“Sort of.” I explain my plans for Paris, and when I’m finished, I can hear him clapping his hands.
