Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“Shall we?” I said as I pointed toward the hotel and held out my other arm for her to take it.
Emma nodded and we walked the short distance in silence.
My heart was pounding so hard in my chest I could hardly think straight. Harrison’s words replayed over and over in my head.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into the library and nearly tripped over myself at the sight of you.”
“You have curves and a body any man would want to put his hands on and explore.”
When the hotel manager who oversaw the meeting spaces started to speak, I could hardly stay focused. Whereas Harrison seemed perfectly fine. As if he hadn’t turned my world upside down. Had he said all of that simply to be nice?
I looked over my shoulder to where he stood with the woman who spent more time laughing and touching his arm than she did even glancing my way. She went on about how they had set up the tables in the past as I walked around the room and stopped. I turned to face them and cleared my throat, hoping to get her attention away from Harrison.
“This is where they had the dance floor last year. Do you think we should keep it in the same place?” I asked.
My eyes caught Harrison’s. He wasn’t looking at the beautiful woman to his right. He was staring at me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
A slow smile appeared. “Nothing. I’m simply enjoying the view.”
He winked and I felt my entire body warm.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, are you two together?” the hotel manager asked.
Not wanting her to give the wrong impression, I quickly said no at the same time Harrison said yes.
Yes? Did he just say yes?
“We’re planning this together, right, Emma?”
Of course, that was what he had meant. I felt like a stupid idiot. Maybe I had misheard her question.
“Yes, we are planning it together.”
“Well, thank you so much for showing us the ballroom. It was good to see it with a fresh set of eyes so we can make our own plans. Don’t you agree, Emma?”
All I could do was nod and force a smile. It had been nice to see it empty of all the previous year’s dinners. It was like a clean slate. I could envision our own plans much clearer now. Harrison’s mother was right saying we needed to see it empty.
“Do you have a theme?” the manager asked.
Harrison and I exchanged a look. We weren’t telling anyone about the theme. At least not yet.
“We’re tossing a few things around,” I stated as I glanced around the room again to avoid eye contact with her. Wendy was right, I was a terrible liar.
“Is there anything else I can show you?”
Harrison kept his gaze firmly on me. “Emma?”
I felt my chest rise and fall. The way he was looking at me made me feel warm from the inside out. A rush of awareness raced over my skin. I wanted Harrison like I had never wanted any other man in my life.
“Where will they bring the food in from?” I asked, getting my wits about me before I melted into a freaking puddle on the floor.
As the manager ushered me to a door, I glanced over my shoulder to see Harrison had pulled out his phone and was making a phone call. Most likely to check on Noel.
I focused my attention on the manager who I still hadn’t gotten her name. Or hadn’t heard it when she introduced herself. Why wasn’t she wearing a darn nametag! She showed me the area the wait staff would be using. We talked about where the caterer would be able to set up and work. The hotel didn’t normally allow an outside caterer, but with Harrison’s name carrying the weight it did, they made an exception. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but she finally said she would leave me and Harrison alone for a bit to make any notes. We could just leave when we were finished, and she would make sure the ballroom was locked up.
When I stepped back into the ballroom I came to a stop. Harrison was staring out over the Boston Harbor. It was dotted with lights from house boats, as well as a few ships making their way either out of the harbor or in. I couldn’t tell.
“It’s beautiful,” I softly said as I came and stood next to him. “I think we can keep the decorations to a minimum and let the beauty of the room and the surrounding harbor do most of the work. The chandeliers in here are breathtaking. With some flower arrangements on each table, maybe a few more areas with decorative lighting, and we can really give it an elegant feel.”
Harrison turned and faced me. “I agree. We have one more thing to look at.”