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“This is fabulous,” he says. “Leave the details to me. I’ll be in contact with the hotel to make sure there are extra touches in place.”
“I appreciate it. Now, how much do I have to work over the next four days to make sure I’m uninterrupted during this impromptu getaway?”
“You can sleep on the plane.”
And now, for the most challenging piece of this plan.
I’ve been working around the clock for the past twenty-four hours, and I’m picking Polly up to take her on a date. I’m as nervous as a teenager who just got his license and is picking up the girl he’s had a crush on the whole school year.
It’s ridiculous. Jake even gave me a pep talk on my way out the door.
I knock on her door and wait for her to answer, and when she does, she gifts me with one of her bright, amazing smiles.
“Hey,” she says and steps back to let me inside.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” I pull her to me and kiss her long and slow, my fingers running through her amazing, thick red hair. “Work has been crazy.”
“We didn’t have to do this tonight.” She cups my cheek and narrows her eyes. “You’re exhausted. Ryan, you need some rest.”
“I’m fine.” I take her hand and kiss her palm. “Really, it’s nothing I haven’t done before. But how do you feel about staying in tonight?”
“I’m all for it. I was actually craving a burger from The Wolf Den. What do you say we order in delivery?”
“I say you’re a goddess, and I’ll offer you all I have in exchange for that burger.”
She smirks and reaches for her phone. “No need to get that dramatic over a burger. I’ll hook us up.”
She places the order, and then we curl up on the couch together, Polly tucked into my side and resting her head on my chest.
“How are you?” I ask her.
“I’m also a little tired. It’s been busy at the shop. Things will start slowing down a bit now that summer is almost over.”
“Are you fully staffed right now?”
“Yeah.” She frowns up at me. “Why do you ask?”
“I have a surprise for you, but I have to tell you a couple of days early so you can make arrangements of your own because you also own a business.” I drag my fingertips down her jawline. “We’re going to Paris, babe.”
She blinks and then frowns. “Excuse me?”
“You. Me. Paris. We leave in two days.”
She stands and paces the living room, still scowling. “Ryan, I can’t just up and go to Paris.”
“Why not?” I stand, as well, and shove my hands into my pockets. “You own the business, and you have people who can handle the shop. You don’t have kids or pets, so why can’t you go?”
“Because.” She flings her hands in the air. “Because I can’t afford to, okay? Is that what you want to hear? I can’t afford to go to Paris. Trust me, I wish I could, and maybe if I can save up over the next year, I can go next fall, but?—”
“You can afford to.” My voice is level again. I want to pull her to me, but I know she needs to walk off the energy. “Because you’re not paying for it. I am.”
“No.” She shakes her head and paces around the living room. “Absolutely not.”
“Give me one good reason why not.”
“Because I will not take advantage of you like that.”
“I said one good reason,” I counter. “Polly, you’re not taking advantage of shit. I’m having to talk you into it. It’s all set up. Everything. All you have to do is pack, and don’t do much of that because you’ll be shopping for some new things with London.”
