The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(33)

“Hello?”

“Maxwell, it’s me, Lucy!” I try to control my voice, but it raises and draws the attention of the other pedestrians.

“You got my note.”

“I did. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by. That was so kind of you.”

“I thought you might like to meet today?”

I smile. “You did?”

“I figured you probably haven’t made many friends in the city yet, and it would be rude of me to know that fact and not take you out for lunch.”

“I’ve not made a single friend,” I inform him with a light laugh. “And lunch would be great.” I look around the street and wonder which way I should go. It’s just after ten, so that leaves me at least a couple of hours before lunchtime.

“Maxwell, how do I get to the empire state building from my hotel?” I ask.

He chuckles, and I hear him rustling on the other end of the line. “Where are you now?”

“Outside of my hotel.” I glance around. “With no idea where I’m going.”

“Walk to the end of the street and turn left. Wait by the little coffeehouse. I’ll be twenty minutes tops.” He hangs up before saying goodbye, and I make my way to the end of the street.

Fifteen minutes later, Maxwell arrives looking fresh from a shower and wearing a black T-shirt with black jeans. He’s an attractive man, and I have to take a second to appreciate that as he pulls me in for a quick hug.

“How are you? Settling in?”

“Yeah, I think I’m doing okay.”

He tuts. “That indecisiveness will get you killed.”

His comment jars me, and I can’t help the frown that forms on my brow.

“Shit, sorry. Ignore me. I’m still civilising.”

“Oh, no. It wasn’t what you said.” I shake my head. “Well, actually, it was. It’s something my boss once said to me. Just last week.”

Indecisiveness won’t get you anywhere far.

“You looked ready to bolt,” he teases.

I grasp his strong forearm. “No, no, I need you!” I chuckle. “I have no idea where I’m going.”

“Alright, lady. Have you eaten today?”

I look at him sheepishly, my stomach growling at his words. “Not yet.”

“Well then, let’s have brunch. Then I’ll get you out into the wild.”





My feet are going to fall off, I’m sure of it. There can’t be a square inch of the big apple my trainers haven’t touched, yet Maxwell’s convinced we only covered a tiny percentage of it.

“You looked at him as if he stole your puppy or chucked your ice cream cone on the ground.”

“He just walked straight up to the counter, right in front of all of us and spoke to them like complete crap. He didn’t have a care in the world.”

“I’m pretty sure he worked there.”

We laugh in unison as we round the corner of the street. My shoulders relax when I spot the sign for my hotel.

Finally.

“I cannot thank you enough for today, Max. You’ve been the best tour guide I could ask for.”

“It’s been my pleasure, and you can repay me with dinner. One night this week?” Maxwell’s top lip twitches as he twists his head, gauging my reaction.

I want to say yes. I should say yes. I need friends here, someone I know in New York, looking out for me. My family would want that. But I also don’t want to fall into my usual clingy ways. I want to do things for myself here. Find my independence. That’s literally the whole point of me being here.

And as much as it’s been amazing having Maxwell show me around, a part of me wishes I could go out and do it all alone.

I can’t say no, though, and I don’t want to. I just need to give myself some time to find my feet.

“How about Friday? I can imagine work will be hectic this week.”

“Friday works for me.”

“Perfect. You have my number now.” I smile. “I should probably go soak these blisters for the rest of the night.” I cringe at the grim information I didn’t need to share. “You’ve kept me from stressing about tomorrow all day, so thank you for that.”

“You don’t need to thank me.” He steps back, and I can tell he’s turning to leave.

I’ve noticed Maxwell never says goodbye properly. He pays you attention while you’re engaged in conversation but checks out almost instantly when he’s done. I’ve seen him do it all day with everyone he meets. It seems rude, although I don’t think he means to come across that way. “If you get stuck and don’t know where you’re going tomorrow or in the week, just give me a text.”

“Thank you, Max.”

He gives me a smile and nods, turning on his heel. I watch as he walks down the street.

Inside the hotel, I change into my comfiest pyjamas. Then, I drop back to the bed, exhausted, and open the folder I filed all my work documents in yesterday. Maxwell walked me to my new office today. It’s a fifteen-minute walk from the hotel and in a really lovely area in Soho. Scarlet was obsessed with finding me the most practical place to stay, and she’s nailed it.

I just have to find an apartment or room to rent that’s a little more permanent now.