The Weekend Proposition - Ella Jade Page 0,9
whispered into Coda’s ear, “It’s time to start pretending. Here comes Ava.”
“Then let me do what you’re paying me to do.” She kissed his cheek as Ava made her way to them.
“Spencer.” Ava stopped and looked Coda over. “I didn’t think you’d ever get here.”
“How are you, Ava?” Spencer asked.
“Good,” she said. “Who is your friend?”
“Ava Carrington, this is Dakota Vercelli, my guest for the weekend.”
Please don’t cause a scene.
“How nice.” Ava gave Coda a fake, awkward smile.
Spencer had caught his ex by surprise. Maybe now she’d leave him alone.
“Nice to meet you,” Coda said. “You must be so busy with the wedding party duties.”
“I’m glad the big day is finally here. They’ve been engaged forever.” Ava studied Coda for a few seconds. “Have we met?”
“I don’t think so,” Coda said. “I don’t think we travel in the same circles.”
“Hmm, you look really familiar.” Ava continued to study Coda but Spencer was certain the two had never crossed paths before. “Where did you meet Spencer?”
“I met Coda at a charity function last month,” Spencer offered.
“Really? I must have missed that one. I hadn’t realized you’d been keeping yourself so busy,” Ava said. “You’ve been scarce lately.”
“Things have been hectic at the agency.”
“I’ll bet.” She smiled at Coda but it wasn’t very friendly.
“We’re going to get something to drink and then head up to our room,” Spencer said. “I’m sure we’ll see you again this weekend.”
“Of course you will, silly.” She brushed his arm with her fingers. “You need to save a dance or two for me.”
“I think his dance card is full,” Coda said. “He’s promised me an eventful weekend.”
“That’s Spencer, full of promises.” She spoke over her shoulder. “I’ll see you two later.”
“She’s a little bitter,” Coda said.
“She’ll get over it.” He stepped up to the bar. “What would you like to drink?”
“Water, please.”
“She doesn’t know you, does she?”
“I bumped into her once at the agency but we never spoke. I seriously doubt she would remember a cleaning woman.”
“Probably not.”
“Would it matter to you if people knew you brought the cleaning woman as a date?”
“I don’t really care what people think. As long as she leaves me alone I’ll be happy.” He ordered the drinks from the bar. “You can stop referring to yourself as the cleaning woman. I don’t see you that way.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“I can learn.” He handed her a chilled bottle of water. “We can take these upstairs and get settled before dinner.”
“You never told me about the sleeping accommodations,” she said. “How will that work?”
“How would you like that to work?” Spencer smirked at her.
Chapter 3
Coda followed Spencer up the impressive staircase and down a long hallway. What must it be like to live in a house like this? How many people lived there at one time? As a hotel it made sense. The place was quaint and unique, but as a house it was grand. Spencer probably didn’t give it a second thought. People like him were used to such places.
He pulled the card key from the packet he had retrieved from downstairs. He swiped it through an electronic pad and the cherry double doors automatically opened, exposing the foyer of their suite. The vases of fresh-cut roses and tulips surrounding the entryway created a pleasing aroma as soon as they entered.
“Please.” He motioned for her to go inside. “Our bags should be here by now.”
Coda stepped onto the hardwood floor and looked around the elaborate suite. The apartment she shared with her mother could fit inside the room. Those shore motels back in Jersey were sorely lacking. This place looked like something out of one of those reality makeover shows.
Spencer walked into the main area and pulled back the curtains. “Golf course view.”
“But only one bedroom?” She glanced down the short hall to see a bathroom on one side and bedroom at the end. From the open door, she could see her luggage on the king-sized bed.
“I apologize for that. I thought I’d be here alone so I reserved the one-room suite leaving the double suites for those who needed them. I tried to change my reservation, but it was too late. I can take the couch.”
“You don’t have to do that.” How could she make him sleep on the sofa after he’d paid for everything?
“I don’t?”
“No.” Realizing what he thought she meant, she quickly added, “I can sleep on the couch.”
“I don’t think so.” He pulled his laptop from his bag. “You’re my guest. I want you to have