“She’ll be okay. I’m meeting with Gavin tomorrow. He wants to talk to me about something. So you go to Chicago and have yourself a ball. Everything and everybody will be right here waiting for you when you come back.”
Kyla grabbed Tracee’s hand and squeezed. She’d always felt such overwhelming love from her family. “I know you will. That’s why I love you guys so much.”
Chapter 14
A week later, Kyla made her way to the baggage area at O’Hare airport and looked around for Brandon, who Miles had said would pick her up. She felt a tap on the shoulder, turned around and looked into Brandon’s smiling face.
“Hi, Kyla.” Brandon gave Kyla a quick hug.
“Brandon, I’m so glad to see you.”
He laughed. “Yeah, you were looking a little lost there.”
“This is a huge airport.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, it’s pretty big. Come on, let me help you get your bags.”
Kyla followed Brandon to get her luggage and then out to the parking lot. He stopped at a black Porsche Cayenne and raised the trunk. “Have you been to Chicago before?” he asked as he placed her suitcase in the back, then opened the passenger door for her.
“No, I haven’t.”
“Oh, you’re gonna love it. Summer’s the best time to be here.” After helping her in, he closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side.
“Is this Miles’s car?” she asked, once he was inside.
“Yeah, he lets me drive it if I’m running an errand for him or something like that. So, if you don’t mind, we’ll take the scenic route back.”
Kyla laughed. “I don’t mind at all.”
They chatted all the way to what she thought was going to be her hotel. However, Brandon turned into a high-rise and pushed a button in the car to open the garage.
“Is this the hotel?” she asked.
“No, we’re at Lincoln Park, Miles’s place. I’m supposed to drop you off and he’ll take you to the hotel. Some emergency came up that he had to take care of.” Brandon wound the SUV masterfully around the winding garage and pulled into a space marked PARKER.
Once inside, she discovered that the condo came with a gym, a swimming pool and a doorman who knew Brandon by his first name, which Brandon told Kyla was pretty cool. They took the elevator up to the fifteenth floor. Kyla was so impressed with the five-star-hotel feel of the building, she almost forgot they were walking into someone’s home.
Brandon opened the door, and the minute she walked in behind him, the stunning floor-to-ceiling view took her breath away. The wall across from the living room was all glass. No curtains, just glass and a beautiful lake view. She immediately walked over and looked down.
“Awesome isn’t it?” Brandon asked as he walked up behind her.
She took a deep breath. “This is beautiful.”
“Wait until you see it at night,” he said with enthusiasm.
Kyla glanced at him. She had no intention of being in this apartment at night.
He shrugged one shoulder. “I mean, if you get a chance.”
Kyla spun around when she heard Miles walking into the room. He looked rather handsome in a pair of stylish distressed jeans and a blue-and-white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off his silver wristwatch. He was still on the phone talking when he looked at her with wide eyes. She met him halfway, reaching out her hand, but remained silent to respect his phone call. He kept talking while accepting her hand and pulling her in for a hug. Then he gave her a quick kiss on the forehead.
He held the phone against his chest. “I’m sorry, this is just about over with. Have a look around. I hope you don’t mind that I had Brandon pick you up?”
She shook her head. “No, not at all. He showed me the city.”
“That’s good,” Miles said before walking over to Brandon and holding his hand out. Brandon fished the keys from his pocket and dropped them into Miles’s waiting hand.
“Would you like something to drink?” Miles asked. Before she could answer, he turned to Brandon. “Fix her something.” Then he reached out and touched the hair cascading around her shoulders. “I like it,” he whispered.
She smiled, knowing that he would.
He returned to his phone call and disappeared down the hall again.
Brandon gave Kyla a bottle of water before giving her a tour of the three-bedroom condo, skipping Miles’s office. Two of the bedrooms had the same floor-to-ceiling views of the lake and were filled with artifacts from Miles’s travels. When they returned to the living room, Miles was off the phone and sitting on the sofa.
He smiled as he asked her to have a seat. She had an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach, partly due to nerves and partly due to hunger. She also had on a pair of jeans, wedge heels and her favorite gray one-shoulder, slouchy T-shirt. She walked over and took a seat on the other end of the sofa.
“You look good,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you. So do you. No cargo shorts,” she observed.
He laughed. “No, I thought I’d let you know I do have more than those damn shorts.”
“I love your condo. And that view is amazing.” From her angle on the sofa now, she could see the tops of buildings and a blue sky.
He turned and looked out at the view. “That’s what sold me. I can see Far North, the Navy Pier and even around to the south side on a clear day.”
She took a sip of her water and a deep breath to calm her nerves. Okay, why was he so relaxed? As much as she liked the condo, and him, she had no plans to stay here—she was going to her hotel. “So, when does the summit start?” she asked, wanting to convey that she knew exactly why she was there.
“Tomorrow morning. I had to get a new badge for you. We’ll pick it up at the registration desk.” He stood up. “I have a list of all the workshops if you want to check it out.”
“Yeah, I have it here.” She pulled the list she’d printed from the internet out of her purse.
Miles stopped, looking as if he didn’t think she’d be this prepared. “Oh, okay. I guess you’re ready, then.”
She noticed that Brandon had left the room. “Yes, I am. And, again, I don’t know how to thank you for the invitation. You’re probably the only one who knows how much this means to me.” She scooted to the edge of the sofa, letting him know she was indeed ready to go.
“I’m happy you accepted my invitation. It feels like I haven’t seen you in months, yet it’s only been, what?”
“Two weeks,” she replied, maybe a little too quickly.
He grinned. “Yes, a long two weeks. But you’re here now. Are you hungry?”
“I could eat something,” she replied and glanced into his shiny, modern kitchen. “With a kitchen that shiny, do you cook?”
Miles laughed. “Breakfast is about the only thing I can make. Believe me, you don’t want me to cook you anything else. I don’t want this to be your last visit.”
She smiled along with him. If she was being honest with herself, she didn’t want this to be her last visit, either.
* * *
Miles had booked Kyla a room at the Wyndham on the riverfront for three nights. The hotel was close to the Magnificent Mile, should she want to go shopping. He knew she’d also enjoy the river view from her room. The hotel was enough to impress any first-time Chicago visitor, and he did want to impress her. Once she’d accepted his invitation, he made dinner and tour plans. He was proud of the city that had been so good to him. In the next couple of days, he planned to give her an experience she’d never forget.
Saturday morning, the vendors had to be at the center early, so Miles stopped for coffee for him and tea for Kyla. When he picked her up at the hotel, she walked out in a gray pantsuit with her purse on her arm and her hair blowing in the wind. She looked absolutely stunning.
“
Somebody looks as if she had a good night’s sleep,” he said as she climbed into his SUV.
She blushed. “I have to admit that bed was heavenly. I slept like a baby.”
He picked up her tea. “For you,” he said, offering her the cup.
Kyla blinked back her surprise. “You stopped and got me something?”
“Herbal tea. I didn’t know if you like it sweet or not, so there’s a couple packs of sweetener in the console. I remember you don’t drink coffee.”
He pulled out of the hotel’s lot and headed for McCormick Place. “The conference center isn’t far away. My business team will meet us there. I’m only speaking today and attending a few meetings, but the booth will be manned throughout the conference. Don’t feel like you have to stay at my booth. Like I promised, your pass gives you full access to all the workshops and every session. Do what you’d normally do if you came to represent Rooted Beginnings. Only your badge will have Parker Edmunds on it.”
“I don’t care what it has on it as long as I have access to everything. I can explain the situation. I’m also looking forward to meeting your business partner.”
He smiled and glanced out the window. “I’m sure the feeling’s mutual.” The minute he’d told Glenda he had invited Kyla, she seemed eager to meet her.
After making their way through registration, the opening ceremony and introductions, Miles politely posed for several photographs before he caught up with Glenda and their team.
“Do all of these people work for you?” Kyla asked as they approached his booth.
“No, we’re a small company. Glenda hires a few of these kids all the time to work shows like this. Let me introduce you.”
Unlike Kyla in her flats, Glenda wore heels, dress slacks and a feminine blazer with the sleeves pushed up. She looked professional, yet she still managed to give off a supermodel vibe. She was busy giving out instructions to the temporary help as they walked up.
She did a double take and stopped talking the minute she noticed Kyla beside Miles.
“Miles, there you are. I wondered what happened to you after the opening ceremony. One minute I saw you across the room, and the next you were gone. And this must be Kayla, is it?” Glenda asked, not once looking at Miles while offering her hand to Kyla.
“It’s Kyla, no A.” Kyla accepted her hand.
“Kyla,” Glenda repeated. “Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m the other half of Parker Edmunds. You might say I’m the brains of this outfit. I just use Miles for his good looks.”
Miles crossed his arms and pretended to pout.
Kyla tilted her head up at him. “How’s that working out? Business kind of slow?”
The three of them shared a good laugh.
“Glenda, it’s a pleasure meeting you, as well. And thank you for not objecting to me attending in Brandon’s place. I’ve wanted to attend this Summit for a very long time.”
“That’s what Miles told me. You are more than welcome.”
“You know, Miles never told me his partner was a woman,” Kyla added.
Glenda reached out and swatted Miles on the arm. “Shame on you.”
Miles shrugged. “It never came up. I was busy digging in the dirt.”
“Imagine my surprise when Miles told me he was spending a week on a farm. I wish I could have seen him planting vegetables. You tried to turn him into a real farmer, didn’t you?”
Kyla laughed. “He wanted to learn about organic produce, so I tried to teach him something. I’m not sure he’s ready to be a farmer just yet, though.”
Glenda rested her hands on her hips. “But you did something I doubt any woman’s been able to do in a long time. You held his attention. He came back here talking my head off about what he learned. And that’s saying a lot, because he’s not that much of a talker.”
Miles didn’t know if he agreed with that. He was a talker.
“Is Danville your home?” Glenda asked, lowering her hands.
“No, I’m from Nicholasville, originally. That’s my cousin’s farm in Danville.”
“Really? We’re looking into purchasing some property in Nicholasville. God has blessed us with the ability to expand, and land is cheaper there than Lexington. We’re hoping to turn the property into something that sustains more people in the long run,” Glenda said.
Kyla’s erect posture and the serious look that came over her face told Miles this conversation was about to go south if he didn’t step in. Kyla wasn’t a fan of their products. One thing he did like was that they were getting along great. “Okay ladies, enough of the idle chit-chat. It’s time to educate the crowd and do a little networking. And in honor of this being Kyla’s first trip to Chicago, lunch at Luno’s is on me.”
“That place is going to be packed on a day like this. Do you think we’ll be able to get in?” Glenda asked.
“Already taken care of. Just plan to meet right here at noon,” Miles instructed.
Glenda winked at Kyla. “That’s another reason I keep him around. His celebrity status gets us some of the best tables in town.” Glenda glanced at her watch. “I’m going to work the floor a bit. Miles, I’ll meet you back here in time for our first meeting.” Glenda waved and headed off.
“So, have you mapped out what you want to attend?” Miles asked Kyla. He’d seen her studying the program during the opening ceremony.
“Yes, somewhat, anyway. First, I need to find Urban Agriculture for Sustainable Livelihood, then there’s a host of others after that. So I’ll be back at noon.”
She looked happier than Miles had ever seen her. To know that he’d done something to put that glow on her face made him feel good. “See you at noon.”
* * *
Chicago-style, vegetarian deep-dish pizza was now Kyla’s favorite food, organic or not. While they ate, Glenda entertained her with stories about Parker Edmunds stumbling to get off the ground. Like Kyla and Miles, Glenda had her own stories of witnessing hunger and needing to do something about it. Over lunch, Kyla came to the conclusion that she really liked Glenda. So when the conference was over and Glenda confirmed dinner plans with Miles, Kyla was excited about going.
As the sun set, they pulled up to Riva Crab House on the Navy Pier. A little tired from her day, Kyla sat straight up when she saw all the excitement going on at the pier. It reminded her of an amusement park without the rides. Miles valet parked his SUV and held her hand as they walked inside the restaurant.
Once inside, Glenda introduced her to Quan, a very tall, handsome, older man, who Miles whispered was Glenda’s new gentleman friend, a philanthropist she’d met on a trip to South America.
The level of intellectual conversation that transpired around the table was both stimulating and refreshing to Kyla. She was seeing yet another side of Miles, one that was even more impressive than what he’d already shared with her. Their steak and seafood dinner lasted well into the night as their floor-to-ceiling view of the lake changed from dusk to complete darkness. Miles had ordered a bottle of champagne, of which Kyla had had one glass. She wasn’t a big drinker, and now wasn’t the time to start.
After dinner, the decision was made to take the little party to Miles’s Lincoln Park condo for a nightcap. Kyla wasn’t sure that was a good idea. She shivered a little, remembering the way she’d kissed him on his last day at the B and B.
He gazed at her with raised brows as if asking for her approval. Since she wouldn’t be there with him alone, she decided to go with the flow. She gave him a slight nod of her head, hoping she wasn’t walking into dangerous territory.
Chapter 15
“You don’t mind coming in for a little while do you?” Miles asked as he pulled into his garage.
Although it was about her bedtime, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Kyla, and she could sleep when she got home. “No, I’m fine. I’ve had such a good time today,
I hate to see it come to an end.”
Miles reached over and squeezed Kyla’s hand. “Yeah, me, too.”
The doorman greeted Miles, then tipped his hat and smiled at Kyla. “It’s a pleasure to see you again Ms. Kyla.”
She smiled back and now understood why Brandon liked the personalized greeting so much. It made her feel welcome. “Thank you, and you, as well.”
Once they were on the elevator, Miles let go of her hand and wrapped his around her waist, stepping closer until their foreheads touched. “How does he know your name?” he asked.
The butterflies in her stomach took off. She bit her bottom lip so he couldn’t see it trembling. “Brandon introduced us yesterday.”
She was becoming comfortable around Miles, which was a dangerous thing. They obviously had feelings for each other, but if he knew how much she’d fallen for the Miles Parker charm, he’d wish he’d never made that vow.
Miles pulled his head back and looked down at her. “I think he likes you. He normally just grins.”
“You mean, he grins at all the women you bring up here,” she said, as the elevator stopped and opened on the fifteenth floor.
Miles licked his lips and what she perceived as a cocky smile spread across his face. They stepped off the elevator. “I haven’t entertained a woman in my condo in over a year, maybe longer.” As they walked down the corridor, he glanced over at her. “So, no. What I meant was, he grins at anybody who comes up with me. Other than Brandon, of course, because he stands down there asking him all kinds of questions.”
They reached Miles’s apartment and he opened the door. The cool air hit Kyla the minute she walked in. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the giant windows and the blackness, with speckles of light coming from the city below. She couldn’t help herself; she walked over and touched the glass.
She closed her eyes, listening to the soft R & B music that was piped throughout the condo. This was heaven. This day, this evening with Miles, was something she never would have dreamed possible the first time she’d met him. She flinched and opened her eyes when he placed his arm around her shoulders and stared out the window.
Something About You Page 12