The Secret Heiress (13 page)

She called back over her shoulder, “Good luck with the bike race.”

He was becoming more and more fascinated by her. The way her mind worked, her ability to tell the truth, and the charming way she smiled at him. The issue was he couldn’t find things about her that irritated or bored him. Usually a few weeks into a relationship, he knew what trait would cause him to end it. Maybe it was because she’d lived on in his imagination after the few stolen kisses in the garden. Over the years he had attended social events at Fionn’s and had tried to catch a glimpse of her, but she’d proved to be elusive.

He decided to tackle the fifty-mile bike ride and attempt to banish her from his thoughts. He would see her later at the child’s party.

Anna, having showered and changed at her flat, had barely knocked on the door when Olivia pulled it open and said, “Thank goodness you’re here. We need help.”

Anna looked around the foyer. “Where are the girls?”

“Agnes is bathing them and then she will serve them an Irish tea upstairs so we can transform the garden.” Olivia was lucky to have Agnes in her life. She was so much more than a guardian, Agnes was fully enmeshed in their lives and loved the girls as much as an grandmother would.

Anna followed her sister outside and took charge. A hundred pink balloons had been delivered in large clear bags and were tied to a lamppost. The linens sat stacked up on a bench and the rented furniture was haphazardly placed around the garden.

She began to share her vision with Olivia and Fionn and then noticed William step out of the kitchen entrance. Anna let out a shriek. It had been months since she caught sight of her brother.

“Where have you been hiding?” Anna hugged him tightly.

He was eating an apple. “Here and there.”

“Never mind. We have to get this party ready for our niece.”

Within a few minutes, they had arranged the furniture and she was spreading the white linens over the tables. She instructed the men to add a weight to each balloon and scatter them in a pattern around the garden.

Olivia went inside to put together small gift bags. Anna placed the flowers on tables and then organized the party games.

When Fionn went in search of the caterer, William asked, “So you’re dating Alistair Martin?”

“Yes. A little surprising, right?” Luckily her brother accepted what she did without judgment.

William arranged the balloons. “How did that happen?”

Anna hung up an old fashioned pin the tail on the donkey poster on the fence. “We were thrown together in the events management company and one thing led to another.”

He teased her. “Yes, my mother mentioned that you left Blackly Simonson.”

Anna stepped back and glanced around the garden. “Is she pleased to have me out of the family business or upset with the decision?”

“Maybe a little of both, but I wouldn’t let it bother you. Diane has an odd fascination with wealth and social order.”

It was odd to be discussing her step-mother. She had almost no contact with Diane Bolles. “What are your thoughts?”

His opinion mattered to her. “You should follow your passion. You are amazing with numbers, but maybe you needed a change.”

Relaxing her shoulders, she said, “I like the challenge. Every day is different and I’m able to take charge of building my own company. I don’t think I could go back to working for someone else.”

“You’ll be successful. You have the drive and intelligence.”

Fionn came outside with a tub of ice. “Will, can you bring out the beverages and place them in the ice?”

Anna went inside and helped Olivia with the gift bags and then began arranging the flowers in the house.

Fionn joined her in the foyer. “So, I hear you are dragging Alistair here. A child’s birthday is not high on his priority list.”

She looked at her brother-in-law. He and Alistair had been friends since their early childhood.

Her heart plummeted. “I know you don’t approve.”

He stood facing her. “It’s not about approval. He is not into long-term and I’ve seen him break many hearts.”

She didn’t want to have this discussion. “You are being unfair. Weren’t you the same before Olivia?”

Fionn reached out and touched her shoulder. “So you are thinking that what you have with him is different?”

Anna placed the vase of flowers she was holding on the round table in the foyer. “I don’t know, Fionn. We are in the early stages of a relationship. So I’m not thinking about long-term right now. I’m launching a new career, which is challenging. But I like Alistair. A lot. Maybe too much.”

Fionn cleared his throat. “He clearly is enchanted, but he will not disappoint you.”

They were interrupted by someone knocking on the door. The guests began to arrive, most with small children in tow. Fionn greeted the guests and invited everyone inside.

Beatrice and Addy came downstairs and led the other children into the garden. The backyard looked like a magical fairyland with the decorations and a long birthday table with pink flowers and balloons. Even though the house was in the middle of London, they had a gorgeous backyard and garden.

A caterer had been hired and had set up in the kitchen. Everyone was served a lunch and the adults were offered a glass of champagne or bottle of ale. Anna helped with party games and leading the children in a scavenger hunt.

Alistair arrived towards the end of the party and carried two large gifts wrapped in floral wrapping paper. After handing both Beatrice and Addy a wrapped present, he shook Fionn’s hand before coming over and kissing Anna briefly on the mouth.

“How was the fifty-mile race?” He had showered and changed into dress pants and a pressed light blue shirt.

“Challenging but worth it.” He smiled at her.

He watched her helping the little ones with a game, then retreated indoors to chat with Fionn.

Olivia came over and whispered to her, “I’ve finally found a way to entice Alistair to a child’s birthday party: put you in charge of the children’s games.”

When the party began to wind down, she picked up Addy and held her. The little girl was exhausted and ready to crash. Fionn took her upstairs for a bath and an early bedtime.

After the last guest left, Anna sat with Olivia, William, Agnes, and Alistair in the front formal living room. They watched Beatrice play with her new dolls.

Fionn appeared with Addy, who had been bathed and put into her nightgown. He said, “She was too excited.”

The little girl joined Beatrice on the floor playing with the dolls.

Fionn poured wine for the adults and spoke about his recent travels.

Anna was on edge. The conversation moved to Gala & More and Anna brought them up to date on the challenges.

Agnes asked, “Dear, wasn’t there someone who was giving you a difficult time with the business?”

The room became silent for a moment. Anna said, “Agnes, Alistair was the person driving me insane but he finally came around.” Anna met his gaze and they broke out laughing.

Agnes clasped her hands together and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

“It’s fine,” Anna said. “Alistair knows he was a tyrant.”

Alistair smiled at Anna. “I think someone may have been stubborn and reluctant to take much-needed advice.”

Everyone laughed.

Olivia interrupted. “It’s so interesting that the two of you have found each other. We should go out for a couple’s night when our schedules line up.”

Within a few minutes, Alistair suggested they leave and Anna embraced her nieces.

After saying goodbye to everyone, Alistair placed his hand on her lower back and guided her out the front door.

“Did you find that awkward?” she asked him, stepping outside.

“Immensely.” His voice was low. “Fionn is a good friend, but he would prefer that I not date you.”

She glanced back at the house. “Are you going to listen to him?”

He stopped walking and turned her to him. “It’s a little late. I can’t get enough of you.”

She kissed him. “Let’s see what can be done about that.”

The new space for Gala & More was located in a modern building on the second floor with access to a shared conference room. They collectively made the decision to donate their old office furniture and purchase new, modern furnishings.

Looking at the space, Anna couldn’t believe that less than two months before she had walked into the cluttered and outdated office and had revamped it. This office suite had room for growth and was visually appealing. Katie now sat at a circular desk in a well-appointed reception area with a leather sectional and a glass wall and door overlooking the hallway and elevators. They had their business logo screened on the glass wall and everything had the same orange and deep blue tones.

Anna’s office was spacious and placed among three offices that would eventually house Frances and a future hire. There were smaller side offices that Elyse and a new hire, Sam, inhabited.

Alastair stopped in with a huge display of flowers. She gave him a tour of the space. The team assembled on the sectional and they chatted for a few minutes.

“Gala has found the perfect location,” Alistair said to everyone. They all agreed and enthusiastically talked about the new space.

Anna noticed that Katie and Elyse were much more committed to the company than when she had first met them. She couldn’t believe she had considered firing them that first day. Now they were a positive influence on the business and reflected well on Gala.

Anna stood. “I have to get together a few items for the accounting service.”

He met her gaze. “Do you have time for lunch?”

“Can you give me fifteen minutes to finish something?” Anna went to her office. The accounting service planned to be onsite once a week to reconcile their expenses and revenue and she needed to organize paperwork for them.

Anna pulled on a lightweight coat and went in search of Alistair. He was chatting with Sam and Elyse.

It had been three days since she had seen him and had missed him. She tried to push away her longing and reminded herself to keep their conversation light.

He took her to an exclusive restaurant and they were seated in a private alcove. The waiter handed each of them a menu.

“The new office is a good fit for Gala. You did an excellent job of finding the right space within budget.”

Anna nodded and opened her menu. She decided on a salad with grilled halibut. Looking up she found Alistair watching her.

“I’m traveling most of this week, but I wanted to discuss something with you.”

Her chest tightened—he wanted to end their fling. She knew it would happen eventually and he had even warned her that he didn’t seek out long-term relationships.

“You don’t have to disclose your schedule, Alistair. I realize we don’t have that type of relationship.”

The warm tones of his voice soothed her ragged nerve endings. “I want to spend every waking moment with you, but your insane living arrangements and lack of a car are making it impossible.”

She met his gaze and could tell he was trying to get a read on her. “I’m looking at a few flats this week. Two of them have parking, but in this area, I’ll need to consider a roommate.”

He leaned forward and softened his expression. “Move in with me.”

Anna was stunned. “Why?”

He spoke in a neutral voice. “I miss you when you’re not there.”

Her shoulders were tight. “I can’t do that, Alistair. Moving in is a commitment and I would want to know that our relationship is heading towards something permanent.”

He rubbed the base of his neck. “You are practically living with me now. You spend at least four nights a week at the house, but the drive into London early in the morning is not working. I barely get to work by nine o’clock and spend two hours in traffic.”

Anna looked down at the place setting. “So you want me to move in so you don’t have to drive me home in the morning?”

The waiter served their meal.

Alistair looked at her searchingly. “It’s not about the drive, Anna. I want to walk into the house and know that you are there.”

He seemed so earnest. She didn’t want to turn him down, but there was no future in living with him. It would lead to heartbreak at some point. He hadn’t said how he felt about her.

She shook her head. “We haven’t been dating long enough to consider moving in together. It would be smarter to take it slow and not live together. I’ll find a flat with parking and look for a reliable car.”

He placed his phone on the table. “That is your final answer?”

Anna wanted it to be different, but she wouldn’t put herself in the role her mother had played for years. If she was going to commit to a relationship, she needed to know that her feelings were returned. She needed to be important to him.

She changed the subject to his vineyard and the upcoming event.

They finished their lunch and went outside. Alistair kissed her briefly on the lips before walking away.