I feel ready.
I have one more thing I need to do, though, and I know he will hate this. Well, he won’t hate the grovelling. I’m sure he will love that part, but the part when I tell him I’m going… Yeah, he will hate that.
The girls told me to call him, but I knew I couldn’t leave without seeing him. He would probably have a tantrum and come after me in his fancy plane if I did.
These past few weeks has been our best together. He seems so much more relaxed now and even spoke about his dad a little with me, which came completely out of the blue. And I’ve been searching relentlessly for a new studio. Nothing is fitting me or my budget. I’m trying my best not to get down about it.
It will happen.
I called Vinny from the taxi to ask if Mason was in the office, and he told me I wouldn’t need his ID card. He was right. The lady at the reception smiled when I told her my name, letting me straight up.
Checking myself in the elevator mirror, I fluff my hair and pout my lips, noticing they are a little dry. The door pings open, and I quickly lick my lips to make them look shiny.
“Well, hello,” a friendly voice coos.
I spin and find a guy standing behind me at the sofas. He is watering a plant–I’m sure I never noticed plants in here before. His three-piece suit–with bow tie–is immaculate. He is gorgeous and perfectly put together, not a hair out of place.
“Hi,” I say warmly.
“You are Nina!” He points at me with complete certainty.
“I am her.” I shrug.
His smile is infectious, and I can feel my dimples out in full force. “George?” I question.
“Yes. I am him.” He winks. “Oh, you are just as gorgeous in person as in the pictures.”
I can feel my cheeks flush red at the compliment, but then I frown, not understanding. “Pictures?”
He drops down the jug of water and comes to stand next to me. “The ones in Mason’s office. The ones from Paris.”
“Oh, I’ve not seen them.” Mase has my photo in his office?
“Is he expecting you?” He grins, ushering me toward the main desk.
“No, I have an impromptu trip, and I have to break it to him that I’m going away.”
“I can imagine that will go down like a lead balloon.” He eyes my outfit, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Right.” I chuckle.
“You going in? He isn’t busy. Well, he pretends he is, but he isn’t.”
“Yeah, I’m going in. Thank you, George.” I lick at my lips again to moisten them.
“Oh, wait.” He disappears around the reception desk and dips down behind it. “I have some balm.”
I smile like a fool as I wait, imagining how Mason must be with George. I can’t even begin to imagine the dynamic.
“Here, it’s watermelon. My boyfriend bought it for me. I don’t know if that was a hint, but it’s not my flavour.”
“Thank you.” I apply some with my finger noticing it’s completely unused. I go to pass it back to him, but he pushes my hand away.
“Oh, no. I don’t share.” He cringes, making me smile more. “No offence.”
“None taken.”
“You look good.” He gives me a knowing nod—so George knows why I am here.
