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)
A wide smile erupted across his face as he opened the door. “Hank, the young lady is here to see Mr. Maggio.”
Hank, who sat behind a large desk, stood. “Emma Jennings?”
“That’s me.”
His grin was bigger than the doorman’s, if that was possible. “Let me make sure Mr. Maggio is home.”
I wanted to say he better be, since he was the one who told me to be here on a Saturday morning at eleven thirty.
Once quick glance around the lobby and I knew Harrison was paying top dollar to live here. Pure white walls with beautiful furniture that looked like no one had ever sat on any of it filled the lobby area. The building was only blocks from the Boson Harbor and the old Grain Exchange, which was one of the most beautiful buildings in Boston. Or at least, I thought so. It was also a popular area of Boston for those who could afford to live so close to the harbor.
“You can head on over to the elevators, Ms. Jennings,” Hank said as he made his way around the desk and up a set of stairs. We turned a corner and Hank led us to the elevators. He punched the up button for me. As I waited for the elevator, I took in the polished marble white floors and a solid back granite wall opposite the elevators.
I drew in a deep breath and turned to see a stunning display of fresh flowers sitting on a table. I had to remind myself Harrison’s father was wealthy because there was no way a firefighter could live in a building like this.
The doors opened and Hank waved me in. “Your chariot awaits.”
I pressed fourteen and smiled back at Hank. “Thank you!”
He winked. “The pleasure was all mine.”
The doors shut and I frowned slightly. I couldn’t decide if it was my imagination, or had the doorman and Hank been awfully happy for me to be seeing Harrison?
A ding alerted me to my arrival on the fourteenth floor. The doors opened and I read the sign that said 1404 was to my right.
Another display of fresh flowers filled the hallway as I drew in a deep breath and filled my lungs with the heavenly smell. I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous. It wasn’t like it was a date or anything. It was a meeting to discuss a charity dinner. That was all. Besides, did you really meet the guy’s daughter and mother on the first date?
I laughed to myself and shook away my silly nerves.
Coming to a stop at the correct door, I lifted my hand and knocked. From the other side of the door, I heard a muffled, “I got it, Mom!”
Jumping slightly when the door opened quickly, I went to smile but nearly tripped. And I wasn’t even walking.
What stood before me should have been outlawed. It was sinful. It was wrong on so, so, many levels.
“Harrison,” I said as I forced myself not to look like how I felt. All hot and bothered by the site of one of the most handsome men I’d ever laid eyes on, dressed in jeans, a long-sleeve black T-shirt, and an apron on that read: Caution – Hot Dad.
“Hey, Emma. Come on in.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I walked into the small foyer. Then it hit me. The smell of something so delicious I let out a moan.
“Ohhh, what is that heavenly smell?” I asked as I took off my coat.
Harrison smiled as he hung it up. “That would be my grandmother’s famous lasagna.”
“Did your mother make it?”
He looked offended. “No. I made it.”
“And you cook too? Wow. How I misjudged you, sir.”
Lifting a brow, he asked, “Did you think I just ordered out all the time?”
“Pretty much.”
He clutched at his chest. “Wounded again by how you have stereotyped me.”
I held up my hands. “I’ll admit I was wrong.”
“Again,” he said with a wink.
Ignoring the way that made my insides melt, I laughed. “Yes, again.”
“Come on, let me introduce you to my mom.”
My heart raced a bit faster as I followed him.
“Mom? Noel?”
The sounds of giggling came from down the hall.
I tried not to look around as we made our way into a large open area, but I was fascinated to see where it was that Harrison called home.
The kitchen was a galley-style kitchen with an island that separated it from the dining area and living room. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in a ton of natural light. One look to my right and I could see the harbor. Straight in front of me were views of the city.
A large fireplace balanced the living room with a cozy chair tucked in a corner flanked by the large windows. I could see myself snuggled there under a blanket with a good book.
I shook away the image.