“How about we do coffee first and then I’ll show you to your room? I’m sure I know what I’d want first,” Leilani says.

“You read my mind. Sounds perfect to me.”

She leads me down behind the staircase and into a huge kitchen. All I can do is stare with wide eyes at how beautiful it is, from the built-in appliances to the marble benchtops. A grin lights up her face.

“Josh told me you were a cook. He said you had a thing for kitchens.”

“It’s lovely. I like shiny appliances. Shame they don’t stay that way.”

Leilani laughs. “The kitchen’s recently been renovated. I’m hoping these will stay like this for a little while. Take a seat.”

I walk to the large table and pull out a chair. This is the most comfortable I’ve felt since leaving home. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The air is scented with fresh baking and coffee, and my stomach grumbles.

The sound of something being placed in front of me makes me open my eyes. It’s a platter freshly baked rolls, cheese, different spreads.

“This looks amazing. Thank you so much.”

“Anything else you need, just ask.” Leilani smiles before she goes back to the bench to pour me a coffee.

I dig right in, slicing open a roll and filling it from the platter. I moan as I sink my teeth into it.

“Hungry?” Leilani asks as she places the coffee down.

“Starving. I had a chocolate-chip cookie on the plane. And that’s it. This is amazing.”

She frowns. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

I shrug. “It’s okay. I’m just really glad to be here now. Do you know how long Josh is going to be?”

She shakes her head. “He wasn’t sure. But he left crystal-clear instructions that you were to be well looked after.”

I grin. That’s so Josh. It’s what left me so confused over the plane seats. Although thinking that leaves me feeling like I’m being ungrateful when he’s paying for everything. It’s hard to wrap my head around.

“Are there many staff here?” I ask.

Leilani seems to think for a moment. “Not usually. It’s just me and the driver. We have a company that comes in and takes care of the gardens, and while you two are staying here, security has been ramped up.”

I widen my eyes. “Really?”

She nods. “We have a security firm that watches the place, but whenever Reece stays, or in this case Josh, we get in extra security. Can’t be too careful.”

That feels a bit weird to me, but I guess I understand.

This is the life I’m going to have to get used to.

* * *

After I eat, Leilani leads me upstairs to the bedroom I’ll be sharing with Josh.

It’s incredible.