en suite bathroom.
“This place is gorgeous.” Cold air blows down from the overhead vent, and she shivers.
“I’ll adjust the air-conditioning, and when you’re up to it, I’ll show you around the place.” I slowly guide her across the room, taking short steps to match hers. “Your room has a spectacular view of the ocean.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, mine is next to yours, with an equally great view.” I point to the curtains. “Behind those, you’ll find a patio door and a private deck, just for you. We have amazing sunsets here in Saint Thomas. Unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
A happy sigh catches in her throat. “Will, I think this is just what the doctor ordered.”
“Good,” I say, although I’m not sure why seeing her this happy has suddenly turned me into the grinning village idiot. Maybe it’s because she got fired and was violently ill all on the same day and could really use a break.
“Just yesterday morning, I was thinking how much I’d love to get away,” she says, and her smile is a little off-center when she adds, “Talk about fate.”
“If you believe in such things.”
She arches a brow. “A skeptic?”
“I believe our destiny is in our own hands, not someone else’s.”
“If I hadn’t decided to go see James, I wouldn’t be here. I believe everything happens for a reason.”
“Why did you decide to go see Granddad, anyway?”
Her body tightens ever so slightly. If I wasn’t holding her, I might never have noticed.
“Someone mentioned his name, actually.” She gives a casual shrug. “Thought I’d pay him a visit.”
I nod but get the sense that she might not be telling me everything. I think about pushing, but she’s not feeling well. When Granddad calls, I’ll get answers from him.
I flick the light on in the bathroom, and her eyes widen. “This is bigger than my entire apartment.” She steps away from me and makes her way to the tiled shower. She runs her fingers over the taps. “I have no idea how to use these.”
“Simple.” I move around her to turn on the water. “This is for the rain shower nozzle,” I say as it sprays down. “This one is for the body, and this one is for the feet.”
“All angles covered. Literally.”
I adjust the temperature and step back. “I’ll make us something to eat.”
“I’m supposed to—”
“Yeah, well, not today.” I tilt my head when she gives me a confused look. “It’s for my own good.”
“Isn’t cooking part of my duties?”
“Yes, but if you were me, would you let the Ebola monkey touch your food?”
She puts one hand on her hip, and her brown eyes flare. “Did you just call me a monkey?”
I chuckle. “Get a shower, Khloe. There are towels in the cabinet, and you’ll find everything you need in the vanity, even a new toothbrush.”
She glares at me a moment longer, but today the fight just isn’t in her. She softens and says, “You thought of everything.”
“Part of the assistant’s job is to stock this place for the next assistant.”
She opens and closes the vanity and pulls out a few drawers to check the contents. “I heard you went through assistants fast.”
That gives me pause. I don’t like anyone knowing too much about me. “Who told you that?”
Her hair tumbles as she gives me a quick glance over her shoulder. “Ah, I don’t remember. I think maybe your Granddad.”
“There’s a reason for that,” is all I say.
“Okay.” She shrugs. “Not my business.”
I’m about to leave but turn back and say, “You should probably know you talk in your sleep.”
A streak of red flares across her cheeks. “I do not.”
I grin at her, and despite myself I say, “Yeah, I’m afraid you do.”
She pulls in a deep breath. “What did I say?” she asks, and when her fingers grip the sink hard, I cut her some slack.
“Mostly mumbling, but I did hear you say my name a time or two.”
Her eyes narrow. “You’re making that up.”
“I believe you said something about my cologne.” I tap my finger to my chin. “What was it you called it again...?”
“I was delirious, Will. High fever, remember?”
“Then you mumbled something about bad or being bad. Wait, maybe you were saying I wasn’t so bad.”
“I vomited the two times I met you, or have you forgotten?” she counters, and I keep my grin hidden.
“We may have gotten off to a bad start, Khloe. With you showing up late and all.” It’s true, we did. But honest to God, she’s like a breath of fresh air.
“I told