Chapter Twenty
Josie
On Monday morning, after dressing hurriedly, I took in my appearance in the bathroom mirror. My lips were swollen from Hunter’s wild kissing, my grin was absolutely huge (he was at fault for me being in a hurry in the first place).
I had absolutely no doubt that anyone passing me would know I got loved up good this morning. Then again, I was a newlywed who’d just returned from her honeymoon. This should be expected, right? Swooning and daydreaming were acceptable... I hoped. It would even give the whole thing more credibility, and that was certainly a good thing.
On the way to work, I called my sister. I was dying to speak to Isabelle. I talked her ear off from the second she answered.
“You sound so... radiant,” she replied when I finished.
I chuckled. “How can you sound radiant?”
“No idea, but you do.”
“I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too.”
“So move to New York.”
“You always tempt me with that.”
“Well, I always hope to convince you.”
“One of these days, you just might.”
Holy shit, that was the closest she’d come to saying she’d consider moving. I’d love to dote on my sister, and generally just having her nearby would be amazing.
“I have to go now, but keep me posted on your newlywed bliss.”
“Will do.”
I started my day by meeting with my assistant and the junior who had handled my workload while I’d been gone.
“So, in a nutshell, we have five contracts waiting for you to sign, and ten others where you still need to double-check certain details we’ve pointed out on Post-its.”
“I’ll get to all of those today.”
That had gone more smoothly than I’d imagined. Hunter had been right. My entire career wasn’t going to collapse just because I’d taken two weeks off. I did need saving from my own brain.
I’d have to thank him later. On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t. That would only encourage him to continue ambushing me. For some reason that didn’t sound like such a bad idea.
My God, was I conflicted or what? Part of my brain was still on the Maldives, relaxing in the sun. It would take me a few days to readjust to the breakneck speed of a law firm.
The day became more stressful by the hour, though. My to-do list was growing by leaps and bounds every time I read a new email, and it didn’t help that my brain was working at a slug’s pace.
Around lunch, I shot Hunter a text.
Josie: How’s your day? My brain is trying to sabotage me. Instead of focusing on statutes, I keep daydreaming about white sand and cocktails and just lying in the sun doing nothing.
Hunter: But not daydreaming about ME? :-)
I laughed, staring at the screen.
Josie: Just a little :)
Hunter: You’re jet-lagged, that’s why focusing is harder. It’ll get better in a few days.