He closed the laptop, placed it on the desk and then stretched his back. He’d hit the hotel gym first thing that morning for his weights and swim session and would head back down later for a sauna. There was nothing like sweating away the day’s exertions and stresses. He knew the importance of having some balance in his life or at least he tried to balance things. Sometimes, though, his dedication to his business could get in the way of living the life he’d once thought he wanted.
He took the lift down to the hotel lobby and walked out onto the gleaming tiled floor. It was so shiny he could see the ceiling and the ornate chandeliers reflected in it.
A burst of giggling caught his attention, and he glanced towards the corridor that led to the restaurant and bar. Two young female hotel employees were staring at him, whispering behind their hands.
His face broke into a wide smile, and they both blushed to the roots of their hair. He was used to turning heads wherever he went, and he knew it was because of his reputation as much as his looks. With his wealth and success, as well as his cool demeanour, he often got propositioned by women and men he encountered around the world. However, Wyatt was interested in one thing and one thing only, and that was making money. Not that he didn’t occasionally spend the night with someone, but he made no promises and always made it clear that he wasn’t looking for love. Once bitten, twice shy and all that. Or was it twicesmart? Besides which, his experience of women hadn’t been that positive since day one, and so he wasn’t going to devote more time to his love life when he got everything he needed from work. Well, almost everything he needed anyway.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he read the screen. It seemed like the day’s plans were running on schedule, and he was very much looking forward to catching up with an old friend.
He tucked his phone away, the familiar sense of purpose setting in.
Business first. Always.
3
EDITH
After a coffee break in one of the pretty little cafés on Portobello Road, they’d hit the shops again, then wandered further to admire some of the colourful houses in the area. Edith hadn’t visited Notting Hill before and felt as if she were on a movie set as they wandered around. Titus provided a running commentary about the cinematic history of each place and then posed for some photos for his Instagram page.
Edith snapped a few pictures of her own for her business Instagram account and for her website, as well as for the unofficial album that she’d make for Finn and Titus. She liked to do this when she helped a couple to plan their wedding. As lovely as official wedding photos were, she thought it was just as special to capture the moments leading up to the big day.
‘I’m quite hungry,’ Titus said after they’d purchased some socks to match the suits they’d chosen.
‘Me too.’ Finn glanced at his watch. ‘We could find somewhere to eat now.’
‘I know just the place!’ Titus flashed them a toothy grin.
‘Where?’ Finn asked.
‘It’s a surprise.’ Titus arched his eyebrows at them. ‘Follow me.’
They took the tube, and when they got off, Edith realised Titus was leading them towards Covent Garden. But then Titus kept going, leading them away from the popular location, finally stopping in front of a luxury hotel.
‘What are we doing here?’ Finn asked.
‘We’re having dinner.’ Titus wrapped an arm around Finn’s shoulders.
‘Better than fast food, any day!’ Finn laughed.
They climbed the steps to the front of the building and went through the revolving doors and into the spacious entranceway. Titus gave his name at the reception desk and then waited.
‘Are we waiting for our table?’ Thora asked.
‘We are. There’s a celebrity chef here for a short time, and he’s going to cook our meal.’
Finn frowned. ‘Titus! How did you organise all this? Is it one of those experience days you buy tickets for?’
Titus shook his head. ‘It’s via a friend of mine. He helped by using his contacts.’
Finn’s frown deepened then he seemed to have a eureka moment. ‘Your American friend?’
‘Yes!’ Titus nodded.
Edith watched the two men as they conversed. It was really sweet that Titus had organised this for Finn and for them all. She was quite peckish, and the thought of eating a delicious meal prepared by a celebrity chef was very appealing. She may even treat herself to a glass of wine with dinner and relax now that the main part of the shopping trip was done.
‘I’m just going to pop to the loo,’ she said.
She headed across the air-conditioned lobby in her wedges. For the day’s events, she chose the comfortable yet smart combination of black linen trousers and a white silk blouse. She had a cardigan in her bag but had been warm enough so far not to need it.
