My heart breaks for her a little. “It won’t be long, and you’ll be back here living the dream,” I say, tracing the initials engraved on the back of the piano.
“I wish that were the case, Nina,” she says solemnly. “So I plan to fly in on the twenty-fifth. I already booked my flight, hoping you’d be okay with me getting under your feet at the studio.” She laughs.
“Well, how presumptuous of you.” I smile. “Honestly, Erin, I don’t even know where the key is. I never use it. I won’t even know you’re here.”
“Right, that’s set then. I can’t wait to see you. Thank you, Nina.”
“Of course, take care, lovely. See you soon.”
I spotted the Bentley parked up on the other side of the road about an hour ago and have no idea how long Mason has been sitting there. Thankfully, he hasn’t come inside—yet. It’s why I plan to make a dash out the back once everyone has left the gym.
I still feel mortified about Saturday morning, although why I let my mother’s mistakes define my life is beyond me. Lucy was right when she said I am nothing like my mother. Apart from our appearance, wearethe complete opposite of each other. But sometimes, I find myself judging my morals, fearing that they’re a by-product of her.
I wish I’d been more prepared for him to turn up here. I would have made more of an effort, making him feel like an idiot for chasing me away with that mouth.
Now I’m thinking about his mouth, his full soft lips…
“Shit.”
Chancing a glance at the gym mirrors, I grimace. My hair is roughly pulled up on my head, my face bare of any makeup, and I’m wearing my yoga pants and a tank top. Yeah, I am definitely going out the back door tonight.
I’m just about to shut down the computer when I hear the door open and close. I know the last few members have not long left, so I sit with my head down, hoping it’s just them and they’ve come back for something.
Wishful thinking.
The first tell is his smell. It smothers me, taking me straight back to Friday night. Memories of his lips on my neck as he whispered sweet promises in my ear—the feel of him between my legs as I practically begged him to touch me.
God, I’m such a loser.
“Nina,” his deep voice purrs from the other side of the desk.
I start to flick through the blank pieces of paper in front of me, double time, as if I am doing something important—anything to keep my hands busy and my eyes offhim.
Why does he smell so damn good?
“Nina,” he says impatiently after a beat.
He doesn’t seem like the type of man who likes to be ignored. I quirk a brow at the thought. I’m going to enjoy this. He says nothing, but I can feel his eyes burning into my head.
“I came to apologise for the other morning. I’m sorry if I offended you.”
I roll my eyes.
Do better, asshole.
“You left so fast I didn’t get a chance to explain. I didn’t think Elliot paid you?—”
My head snaps up, ready to fight as anger rips through me at his blatant lie, but my words die on my lips when I catch sight of him.
He looks fucking hot. Even hotter than Friday night. He’s wearing a three-piece navy suit, his muscular shoulders filling it impeccably, and his hair sits in a perfect tousled mess on his stupidly handsome head.
He looks divine.
He smiles a cocky ‘I know I’m beautiful’ smile, and I avert my eyes again, composing myself.
“We’re closed.” I push out from behind the desk, hoping he will take the hint and leave.
He watches me with amusement as I get my bag from the staff room and move to stand at the entrance, waiting for him to leave. He eventually follows, stopping when he’s in front of me.
