“Hello, Edward.”
“Charlotte, what do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m going to London.”
“Why?”
“I have to work.”
“Send someone else instead.”
“I can’t, I need to do this.”
“I’ll come home and go with you. I’ll only be a week.”
“Edward,” I sigh, exasperated. “I’m fine. I’ll be with Elizabeth.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better. Beth is out of control.”
I get a flashback of him from the other night, and I want to blurt out the question, Are you sleeping with Lara? Why is it a secret from me? but I hold my tongue.
“Where will you be staying?” he asks abruptly.
“The Four Seasons penthouse. The only room on the floor.”
“You’ve spoken to Anthony?”
“Yes, Anthony can come, and so can Wyatt.”
“Hmm.”
“It’s just for work, Edward, and I’ll have the guards with me the entire time.”
“I don’t like this.”
“I know you don’t, but you can’t stop me going. Dad said it was okay. I’m going to London for work, not Ibiza to party. Lighten up.”
“Hmm.” He groans.
I smile, because I know I’ve got him. “I love you.”
“Fine, but I’ll organise their rooms at the Four Seasons myself. And I’m calling Alexander to keep an eye on you.”
I smile. Alexander York is his best friend from school, and he just so happens to live in London. “Fine,” I reply.
“And if I hear of you in London running amuck, I’m coming straight home and dragging you back to Nottingham.”
I chuckle. “You’re so dramatic.”
He exhales heavily. “See ya, Lottie.”
I grin with victory. I can’t believe this plan is actually working out.
“Goodbye, Edward, I love you.”
“Yeah… I love you, too.” Then he hangs up. I stare at my reflection in the kitchen window and smile. How the hell did I just pull that off?
* * *