Closer(11)

I open the door to see a man standing there in a suit. When I look down, I see a white box and a coffee in his hand.

“Ms. Ava?”

“Yes,” I say, wondering if I’m supposed to use a code word.

“Your breakfast is here.”

“Ah thanks.” I reach out to take the items from him. Delivery people are getting fancy these days.

“Would you like me to set it up in your dining area?”

“No, thank you.” I have to stifle a laugh that my five-hundred-square studio would somehow have a dining table. “I can take it from here.” He hands me the box. “Oh, wait, let me get my purse. I need to grab a tip.”

“That’s not necessary,” he tells me. “I’d just like to remind you to lock the door behind me,” he says then turns and leaves.

Okay then.

I set the box down on the kitchen counter and take a big gulp of the coffee. I moan at the flavor—it’s made just the way I like it. I should have known he’d find that out. The man knows everything. When I open the box and see eggs Benedict, I know he’s going to make me fall in love with him so hard.

A small hysterical bubble of laughter leaves me. I stop when his words from last night pop into my head for the millionth time. I’ve never been in love before. As if implying he already is. I don't know how to deal with it. He probably just meant that maybe he could fall in love with me.

My phone dings again.

Lucas: Enjoy your breakfast, petal. You leave in thirty for the spa.

Me: Thank you! I can’t believe you sent me breakfast.

His response is instant.

Lucas: Thank me by never answering the door in your robe again.

My mouth falls open. How does he know everything? Jesus. I want to say something sassy back to him, but when I take a bite of my breakfast I know he’s won this round.

Me: I’ll wear whatever you want if you send me a breakfast like this every day.

Lucas: Deal.

I stare at the single word, feeling like I just signed a contract I’ll never get out of.

When I finish my breakfast my mind drifts back to Lucas when it should be focusing on work. I need to talk to Rebecca and see what me being the face for the new campaign will entail.

I grab some yoga pants and a shirt to wear at the spa. I’m guessing they will be doing my hair and makeup for tonight, and I’m sure a dress and shoes will be brought in as well. He said he would take care of everything. I have so many questions, but I decide to just go with it. I'm sure Lucas has all of this mapped out and there’s no point in even asking. I’ll go with the flow for once. It’s kind of refreshing.

When a knock sounds at the door, I grab my purse and phone before slipping on some flip-flops. When I open the door the same man from before is standing there.

“Are you ready, Ms. Ava?” he asks.

“Ready as I’m going to be,” I chirp.

I close my door behind me and lock it then we walk down to an SUV that looks a lot like the one Lucas was leaning against yesterday. He opens the door for me and I get in. The driver goes around and hops into the front seat.

“Are you Lucas's driver?” I ask, wanting to know as much about his life as I can.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says as he pulls away from the curb. “Mr. Caldwell left some things for you in the back.”

I look over to see a box sitting next to me. I pick it up and lift the lid. I gasp when I see what’s inside. It’s an e-reader. Mine broke a few months ago and I’ve had one on my wish list for a while, waiting for it to go one sale.

I touch the screen and see hundreds of books on it. Now that’s sexy. I grab the note I see sitting in the box.

Petal,

Something to read while you’re pampered today.

Yours,

L

I tuck the note into my purse then pull out my phone and text him.

Me: You have to stop. I already said I’m going tonight.

Lucas: I don’t think I could stop if I tried, and I don’t want to try.

Me: Thank you.

I drop back in my seat. I’m not even trying to fight with him on this. I may not have known him long, but I know he will likely win this battle, so why try? Especially when I’m loving it. My heart feels way too full right now. This is exactly like a fairy tale.

“So,” I say, trying to see what kind of information this driver is willing to give up. “Does he do this for a lot of women?”

“No,” he says simply, and our eyes meet in the rear-view mirror. “Never,” he adds, and for some reason I believe him.

I pick up the e-reader and scroll until we get to the spa. When I step out of the SUV I feel underdressed. This place is super nice. I’m lucky the woman who rushes out to greet me is a sweetheart and doesn’t bat an eyelash at what I have on. She takes me straight up and shows me around before asking me to change into a spa robe and explaining what she’ll be doing today.

I spend all day getting pampered like I’m a freaking princess. And on top of that, every hour Lucas sends me another gift with sweet texts and messages in each box. Every gift and note is sweeter than the last, so by the time I have to put on my dress, I think I’m in love with him. He is so incredibly thoughtful. No wonder his sister adores him so much. I can see why. I also don’t understand how his mom hasn't already married him up.