I blush furiously. Is that really what he thinks of me?
But my own thoughts happily intercede.Don’t let the compliments get to you, Romilly. Compliments mean nothing. It’s all about actions.
“Trust me, my business is closer to failing again than you think. My rent just went up, and the only groomer left in Meadow Hills won’t come back to work with me unless I raise my online rating.”
“That shouldn’t be hard. Not for you,” he says.
If only I felt as certain as he does.I lean closer across the table. “Can I ask you something?”
“I’m an open book.”
“What happened with your last job to make you accept a position with me?”
His stormy blue eyes settle onto mine. “Are you sure you want to know? The truth might reinstate me as abad boyin your mind.”
“Whatever it is, I doubt it’s that big a deal. I already ran a background check on you.”
“Alright then.” He smiles wider. “My parents are members of high society in Woollahra, and their auction house in Sydney has a crazy amount of prestige. I’ve assisted them with events now and then. But I hated it. What I really love—what I’m passionate about is fighting.”
I nod. “And they’re not happy about that, I’m sure.”
“Of course not. I’m their biggest embarrassment. Their sweet, charming Sebastian, a fighter? Not a chance.” He smiles. “I was supposed to eventually take over the auction houses for them. The one back in Sydney, and the other, over in Portland, so they could retire. But when I told them I had no desire and Iwanted to fight instead, that was it for my parents. The last and final straw.”
“I’m surprised they’re not proud of you…making it like that as a professional fighter? That must have taken a lot of guts,”I say.
He smiles. “Thanks. Deep down I think I hoped they would be. But my parents were so furious they canceled my cards and left me here, stranded. My sister, Ingrid, stayed with me, even though my next fight isn’t till November. I won’t make much from it either, not without a sponsor.”
My laughter dries up instantly. “So you’ve just been…they abandoned you? And they left you with no money at all?”
“Unfortunately.”
“And you have no money of your own?”
“Only what I’ve made working with you. The cash I earned from my debut lasted maybe a week. And Ingrid’s salary, plus the money from my pawned watch got us through till I met you.”
Empathy surges through me. Yeah, he kinda put himself in this situation, with the rebelling and doing something he knew would upset his parents. But I still feel bad for him because he was just trying to do something he loves.
“Enough about me. Tell me about your family,” he says.
“Well…” I bite my lip. “My sister, Zara, is nosy and optimistic. My brother, Aiden, is crazy good at video games. I hardly ever see him because he games so much. And my mom loves cooking and spending time with family. She stayed home to raise us.”
“What about your dad?” he asks, eyes glinting with curiosity.
“He’s a plumber here in town. Taught me how to unclog a drain at six years old.” I smile at the memory.
“You should be thankful,” he says. “I’d give anything to talk about my family the way you talk about yours.”
Guilt pricks at my heart. “Well, what about your sister? Do you not get along with her either?”
Some of the tension in his expression eases. “Actually, Ingrid and I get along just fine. She’s been going on about making brunch for you. Which is ridiculous because she’s still learning how to cook.”
I blink. I’m sure I must have misheard him. “Did you say she wants to make brunch for…me?”
He nods. “As thanks for hiring me.”
I laugh, but it comes out unsteady. Has Bash talked about me to her? The thought makes my cheeks feel warm. “When is it?”
“Tuesday. And before you say you have to serve breakfast at men’s group, it’s been cancelled this week because of a scheduling conflict with one of the leaders.”
