* * *
Ilovethe Golden Square Mile area of Montreal.
I’m sitting in the back of a taxi, with my eyes peeled to the scenery around me. I didn’t know much about Montreal before this trip—I did my research so I could create some interesting pieces for my channels—but the old architecture of this area isspectacular.There’s the St. Patrick’s Basilica, which held its first mass in 1847, and McGill University, including its arts building that was finished in 1843.
Wherever I look, I see an old piece of the past alongside a luxury boutique or modern high-end hotel. Lots of Victorian-era mansions are set in the hills, as the neighborhood is built at the foot of Mount Royal. The mountain is lush and green, and a beautiful backdrop for the city.
I’ve noticed the side streets are on small hills, and they would be great for a morning walk for exercise. I’m going to do a “walkwith me” video tomorrow, and I want to capture some of these historic mansions as I go up and down the streets.
The driver pulls up to the luxury hotel I’m staying at, and I eagerly pop out of the car. I stare up at the building, the sun glittering off the glass, and smile. It’s supposed to be overcast tomorrow, with a chance of rain on qualifying day. So tomorrow will be a good day to shoot.
Especially for the outdoor shoot I have scheduled in the paddock with Xavier, too.
A bellhop rushes up to me to get my bags, and I step inside the chic hotel, heading straight to the front desk.
“I should have a package,” I say after I’ve been checked in. Caleb was supposed to send over a key card to his penthouse suite at another Montreal hotel.
“Yes, Ms. Foley,” the clerk says. “Let me get that for you.”
She leaves to retrieve it, and I take a moment to check my messages. I don’t have a lot of time before dinner with Caleb. Enough time to take a shower and put on a fresh outfit. I should be tired from the seven-hour flight and the time change, but I find myself energized by being in a new country.
And from the idea of seeing Caleb tonight.
The desk clerk returns with an envelope for me. I notice it’s bulky, and I can tell there’s something more than a key card in there.
“Thank you,” I say, taking it from her. I cut across the marble lobby floor, past the lush seating arrangements in a plum color scheme, and grab an elevator going up to the eleventh floor. I enter my room, which is very nice, and immediately tear open the package from Caleb. Three things tumble out: a key card in a holder with his room number, a note, and another friendship bracelet.
My heart leaps when I see the bracelet. I pick it up and find it has one unique silver charm in the middle of the beads.
An owl.My favorite animal.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I quickly pick up the note and read it:
Isla,
I think my nickname for you is going to be Owl. Welcome to Montreal. Can’t wait to see you tonight. X
A thrill rushes through me. Caleb remembered. He remembered I said the owl is my favorite animal on our conference room date.
And now he’s given me a bracelet with one on it.
Even though I’m going to take it off in a minute to take a shower, I slip it over my wrist, placing it next to the first friendship bracelet Caleb made me.
I smile down at them.
With this bracelet, Caleb has earned more of my heart. I’m one hundred percent falling in love with this man.
It also makes me more determined than ever to disclose our relationship to The Downforce Network.
And I’m going to insist to Caleb that we do just that when I see him tonight.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I step off the elevator on the penthouse level of Caleb’s hotel. I turn the corner, ready to use my key card so I can quickly slip into his room, but I find Caleb is already leaning against the door frame, waiting for me.
My heart dances happily as I drink him in. Tonight he’s wearing a simple navy T-shirt and jeans, his familiar stack of bracelets on his right wrist, and a large platinum watch on his left. I swear, he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.