Page 44 of Strictly Business

I go back into the main room and start to unpack. I haven’t brought a lot because I knew how short of a time we would have here. I hang up my clothes and look at my sad little wardrobe with two outfits in it; one smart but casual for tonight and one work based one for tomorrow. I will change back into the leggings and tunic top I’m currently wearing to fly home in.

I unpack the rest of my things – my toiletries, my makeup, that kind of thing, and after a few minutes, I’m done. I take my laptop out of its carry bag and place it on the desk. I put the bag inside of my suitcase and then I stow my suitcase in the bottom of the wardrobe and then I strip off and head for the bathroom. I have a lovely cool shower and come back to the room. I put my makeup on and get dressed. I need to dry my hair, but the thought of blasting my head with heat isn’t exactly an idea I like so instead, I go back out onto the balcony and let the sun dry it. I still have an hour until I have to meet the others; that’ll be more than enough time for my hair to dry.

At around seven fifteen, I hear a knock on my door. I get up and go into the room.

“Two seconds,” I call.

I quickly run my brush through my almost dry hair and spritz myself with perfume. I go to open the door. I’m expecting Wyatt or Ruth, but nobody is there.

“What the hell?” I ask.

I look up and down the hallway for any signs of life but there’s no one in sight in either direction. I close the door, confused and a little bit annoyed at being disturbed for nothing, but it’s almost time to go anyway so I guess I can’t moan that much. I slip my feet into a pair of white wedges that match the white three-quarter length trousers I’m wearing with a soft pink vest top. I grab my purse and check that I have my cell phone and my debit card, both of which I do. I just need my key card on the way out.

As I’m thinking about not forgetting the key card, the knock comes again and this time, a voice calls out with it.

“Serena? I know you said hold on, but come on,” the voice says.

It’s Wyatt’s voice and as I hurry to open the adjoining door, I’m laughing. I get it open, and Wyatt looks at me.

“What’s funny?” he asks.

I tell him how I went to the main room door and how I got a little bit miffed that I had been disturbed by someone who couldn’t even hang around to tell me what they wanted and then realized I had answered the wrong door. He laughs and shakes his head.

He pulls me into his arms and kisses me gently on the lips and then he holds me out at arm’s length.

“You look great,” he says.

I know he’s only being nice – my outfit is nothing special – but it’s still nice to have him compliment me and I smile and thank him.

“Are you about ready to leave? I can’t handle the headache I’ll get off Ruth if we’re late,” Wyatt says.

I know he means if he is late. Ruth would love it if I was late, and she got some alone time with Wyatt. Well sorry bitch, that’s not happening anytime soon.

I nod and smile.

“Yeah, let’s go,” I say. “See you in the corridor in two.”

Wyatt nods and I go to pull the door closed but he shakes his head. I frown and he smiles.

“I want to watch your ass as you walk away,” he says.

I throw my head back and laugh but he’s serious and I think fuck it and I turn and walk away, letting him watch the show. I even put a little sway into my walk so my hips go from side to side more than they usually would. I hear Wyatt whistle softly from behind me.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” he says and then the adjoining door shuts. I can’t help but smile even as I shake my head in amusement.

I grab my purse and get my key card out of the slot and put it in my purse and then I step out of the room and see Wyatt doing the same thing next door.

“Well fancy meeting you here,” I say with a laugh.

“Yes, such a strange coincidence,” Wyatt agrees.

He offers me his arm and I take it and for a few moments, until we reach the elevator, it’s like there’s only me and him in the whole world. Of course, that isn’t true though. Hell, it isn’t even only me and him for dinner. It’s a nice thought while it lasts though.

CHAPTER33

Serena

“Oh my God, that was amazing,” I say as I swallow the last bite of my pizza. “It has officially ruined the rubbish we call pizza back at home for me forever though.”