Veto

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

It wasn't till I sat waiting to board at the train station that I considered I may have over packed for the one night stay. My suitcase was of generous size to accommodate the outfits Aunt Liza had gifted me from her wardrobe.

I had never been to a rich persons mixer before. I had no idea what to wear at all. But Aunt Liza's knowledge on rich folk in general made for a better prepared participant than myself. So, like any normal woman would do, I over packed with varying options for once I got a whiff of the vibe of the night.

I don't know why I half expected Harry to be joining me on the four and a half hour train journey to Edinburgh. But I was more than happy to find my seat and the ones around it empty for my paid work trip. I opted out of the complementary stale bread and soup that was being served and instead downed the one glass of wine I was offered and a cup of tea.

When I disembarked at the Edinburgh railway station I was met by a driver who took me to the extravagant but old timely hotel I was to be staying in tonight. The clouds were a thick coating of grey above and the cobble stone roads were already slick from the morning shower. Though somewhat dreary at this time of year, I quite liked Edinburgh and it's wonderfully depressing weather. It somehow made the old buildings look that much more mesmerising, and painted a beautiful glow on the dullest of street lights in a way nowhere else ever could. I had never considered an UK autumn to be picturesque till I had first visited Edinburgh at fifteen.

The Balmoral was every bit luxurious as I had imagined my accommodation would be. I'd never had a hotel room that had two rooms with a full lounge and dining set that sat comfortably within the joint room to the bed. It felt more like an apartment than a hotel room. The furniture alone was probably more expensive than my car. I hadn't had much instruction from the driver other than my check in information and to wait till Harry contacted me. I'd been lounging on the soft bed, tempted to drift off when he finally knocked at my door.

He was in black jeans and a thick woollen grey sweatshirt with a quarter zip. His shoes were smart but not his usual polished ones he wear to work. He looked professional but casual as his eyes regarded my own attire of a thick turtleneck sweater that hung loosely over my black dress pants.

"How was the journey?" He asks, stepping into my room.

"Good. Went quite quick actually." I shrugged. I was unprepared for how to interact with him since that weird moment between us a few days ago. That had been the last time I had seen him. I had not thought of it since then but now, with him standing in my hotel room it seemed to be all I could think about.

"Good." He nods, green eyes shooting around my room taking in the details.

"Where are you staying?" I ask to fill the silence.

"I'm in the room across the hall." Harry answers, green eyes finally meeting mine.

"Oh." I nod, surprised he's not at some flash apartment to himself.

"I thought we could go grab some lunch." He says and my brows raise in surprise, arms folding in skepticism. "So I can brief you on what to expect from tonight." Harry adds somewhat defensively, as if inviting me to lunch just for the sake of it would be unthinkable.

"Sure."

It is cold outside and I'm thankful for Harry's suggestion at grabbing my coat on the way out. I had expected a car to take us to lunch but Harry surprised me by suggesting we walk while the weather holds out. Strangely, I'm thankful for the fresh air and outside distractions to help fill in any possible awkwardness between the two of us rather than being stuck in a silent car.