This is love

THREE

“And there is absolutely no way that I can persuade you into staying in bed?” He says and I smile, balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder. I roll my eyes mockingly and reach across my desk, stacking the finished contracts into an assorted pile.

“I have a business to run.” I smile. “I appreciate your concern, babe, but honestly I’m fine. I’m sitting behind this desk all day, Sapphire’s even agreed to do the coffee runs so I don’t need to walk up and down the stairs.”

Sapphire lifts her head. “You owe me, Hayes!”

Jason chuckles. “Fine, but if I find out you’re doing anything you shouldn’t be doing, I will personally lock us both in the house and not let you out of my sight.”

I rolled my eyes although my heart swelled with his concern. He wasn’t crowding me, overpowering me with demands that I need to not do anything for the upcoming weeks. He was simply caring enough to remind me that I needed to take things slow and steady and avoid anything that could do any more harm. I was grateful he allowed me to come back to work when I felt like I was ready - under Sapphire’s guidance - and trusted me enough to know I wouldn’t put the next few weeks in jeopardy.

“Yes, Mr Hayes.”

He lets out a low and throaty growl. “Please, don’t. Emily is due to come and get me for this meeting any second and I really don’t want her walking in on me having a raging stiffy.”

“Sorry.” I smirk. “Mr Hayes.”

“Fuck.” He mumbles and the fabric of his suit causes a friction sound to scrape against the chair. “I’ll see you when I get home, Ms Hayes.”

“Fields.”

“We’ll see.” I can hear his smile. “I love you, be careful. If you need me just call, I’ll have my cell on me all day.”

We end our call, I turn my attention to the enquiring emails that have gathered in my inbox. Sapphire and Ivy had prioritised them, replied to most and highlighted many for me to respond too. My eyes scan through, from home renovations to club openings and many started with the same line.

“Dear, Ms Fields. Your recommendation came highly praised from JD headquarters.”

While I was incredibly grateful, which I truly was, there was always a tinge of annoyance when I read the opening line. Would these people be contacting me and wanting me to carry out my job if my name wasn’t linked to Jason and David’s company? Some weren’t even wanting consultations or prices, they just wanted me to race ahead with renovations so they could most likely slap the label “JD Headquarters ex-designer” onto their websites.

My scrolling stopped when I saw a particular name. Clarke Thomas.

My eyes widen. “Sapphire! Ivy!”

The girls bounce from their desk and hurry to me, eyes terrifyingly wide as they hover over my desk while I continue to stare with a gaping mouth at the email pulled up on the screen.

“Clarke Thomas.” I blabber. “Clarke Thomas, as in London’s Typhoon, Clarke Thomas wants us to design the new store for Oxford Street!”

One of the wealthiest men in the United Kingdom and owns the popular chain of multi-billion pound toy stores across the world, wants my business to design his new mega store. All ninety-thousand square metres. And in one of my favourite places in the world - London. London!

“This is huge!” Sapphire yelps. “Oh my god, Frankie! This is your big break!”

She was right - this was my big break. Between us we had designed for Jason’s hotels, multiple homes and even Hamilton’s airline but this was something else. This was something beyond expectations, something that was going to push the three of us to our limits with the size.