I put the phone away and then walk into the changing room and see I’m the only one left. When I walk to Pierre’s office, I see that he isn’t in either. I can’t really go on the ice and not have anyone to practice with. When I look around, I see that most of the people are heading to a meeting or taking off. Next week, things will be back to normal and more people will be in. I grab my stuff and make my way home, tackling my email as soon as I walk in. I’m about to send an email for New Orleans when my phone pings, and I see it’s from Vivienne.

Vivienne: I’ll be ready.

I smile, and I’m tempted to call her just to hear her voice, but instead, I text her back.

Me: I can’t wait.

I put my phone down, and the day drags on. Or maybe I’m just anxious to get to her. I slip into my white jeans and my red, white, and light blue button-down shirt, leaving the top three buttons undone. I tie the cuffs and put on my Rolex and then slip into my red jacket, pulling the sleeves down. I spray my cologne on and then grab the keys to the Range Rover. I usually don’t drive in the city, but I will today so I can keep this private.

I look at the time, and it’s 7:59 when I finally pull up in front of her building. I leave the car at the curb when I get out, and the doorman comes over to me. “I’m picking up Ms. Paradis,” I tell him. He just nods and turns to go inside at the same time the elevator doors open, and I see her. All eyes turn to her, which is no surprise since she’s gorgeous. She walks out of the elevator and uses her fingers to wave at the security. I take her in before she sees me, and I want to take her back upstairs and stay in for the night. She’s wearing beige and black shorts that float around her mid-thigh and show off her long, tanned legs. Legs that wrapped around my waist perfectly. Her black silk spaghetti strap top is tucked in and a silver watch and black beads wrap around her wrist. She’s carrying a black hand purse in one hand, and she looks down and then to the side again, and this time, I see that her long hair is pinned at the nape of her neck. When the doorman calls her name, she looks at him. Then her eyes fly to mine, and the smile I’ve been thinking about all afternoon long is finally there. Her whole face lights up when he holds the door open for her.