just not used to making deals at that level, so I imagined there would be more people involved in making the decision to call off something at that level is all.”
“My feelings are hurt.” Liam sniffed and looked away.
Fi smiled, because she knew he was playing at this point. “What can I do to make it up to you?”
“Have dinner with me.”
“That sounds like a date,” Fi cautioned.
“It sounds like two friends lonely in a big city together needing sustenance.”
“So long as it remains as that,” Fi sighed, and finished off her drink as the attendants went around the plane readying them for take-off.
“We’ll take it a dinner at a time,” Liam decided.
Fi rolled her eyes, biting back a laugh as the captain called for takeoff and they prepared to leave the green hills of Ireland behind them.
Chapter 24
“I assume Dylan has booked us at the same hotel then?” Fi asked as they walked to the taxi stand at the airport.
The flight had been relatively uneventful, except for when Fi had tried to pass off their in-flight meal as the dinner she had agreed to have with Liam. Fi laughed when he threatened to force her to be his tour guide for the entire three weeks instead of joining him for a dinner, then quickly acquiesced and kept to their original arrangement.
“He has me booked at a hotel called the One,” Liam said, sliding a glance her way and then toward the line of taxis waiting outside.
Fi decided not to comment on the hotel name, though she wondered if there was subliminal messaging there. Not exactly subtle, her friend’s fiancé, was he?
“Is that really the name?”
“It actually is. I’ve stayed there before,” Liam said with a laugh, and held the door of the taxi for her.
Fi smiled and addressed the taxi driver in fluent Spanish. “Hola, nos quedaremos en el hotel llamado the One en el centro de la ciudad.”
Liam glanced at her and smiled.
“What?” Fi asked.
“I like hearing you speak Spanish. It’s sexy.”
“Thanks. Friend,” Fi said, putting extra emphasis on the word. Turning, she looked out the window as the taxi wound its way toward the city center. She liked the architecture of Barcelona, where some streets were cobblestoned, houses and flats clustered on top of each other, and winding alleyways led to delightful little restaurants. It was a city she could wander in, and she hoped to find time to get lost for a while at some point during the trip. It was something she often enjoyed doing when she had a free afternoon. She would wander a city at her whim, turning when she felt like it and seeing where she ended up.
Liam was likely a wanderer as well, Fi thought as she studied his face. This Liam was a different Liam than the one she knew – the one who checked his watch and the neat little smartphone in his palm, making sure the time synchronized on both. She’d be lying to herself if she said Liam in a business suit was any less handsome than Liam in his dock clothes. Maybe it was just Liam, Fi thought, and turned her head to look out at the city once more. The man was handsome in anything he wore… and even more so without clothes.
Heat rose to Fi’s face at the thought. Hoping he didn’t notice it, she jumped into a conversation with the taxi driver about the best restaurants surrounding their hotel.
Satisfied with his answers, Fi smiled as they pulled up to an impressive hotel, all sleek lines and shiny windows. It would be perfect for business, but not something Fi would have chosen on her own. She preferred small in-the-corner type places – the bed-and-breakfasts and locally-owned spots. It was there she would get the best tips for restaurants or outings, because the people who ran them cared about their guests and made extra time for them.
After going through the check-in routine, they made their way to the elevator tucked across from reception. The foyer was sleek and modern, done up in whites and blues with touches of gold. At least it wasn’t fussy, Fi thought as she stopped to wait for the elevator.
“What floor are you?” Liam asked as the doors opened.
“Why do you need to know?” Fi parried.
“So I can press the button?” Liam quirked an eyebrow at her and Fi rolled her eyes, reaching over to push the button for the eleventh floor. When Liam didn’t push a different button, she sighed.
“Same