“How did you overhear my call from all the way out there?” I point to the reception.
“We were listening on the phone. George thought it was Nina.”
George covers Jasmine’s mouth with his hand. “What. Are you stupid! That’s not what happened,” George tells me.
“Why lie? That’s exactly what happened.” Jasmine’s lip twitches on one side.
I sit back in surprise. More at the fact Jasmine is being so relaxed in front of me.
“Just when I thought you were a classy girl,” George tells her.
“There’s nothing classy about listening in on people’s phone conversations, George.” I try to keep my own lip from twitching, moving my hand to run along my mouth. “I’m very disappointed.”
He stands looking at me with confusion in his eyes. “I-I…”
“Fuck off, you two,” I dismiss them, not wanting them to see my smile.
“That’s it?” George frowns.
“Don’t question it.” Jasmine pulls on his arm and they leave myoffice. I shake my head, wondering when they decided they were going to become friends and also wondering why the two of them listening in on my conversation with Vinny doesn’t bother me like it should.
“One more thing, it wasthething actually. You sort of interrupted me before.”
I drop my pen, looking up at him with an impatient glare. “Yes, George?” I say, short.
“If Nina agrees to come to the penthouse this evening.” He smiles. “Then flowers. Promise me you will buy her some flowers.”
“She’s coming over to spend time with Ellis, not for any other benefit to me or our situation. Are you sure you were listening to my conversation, George?”
“I was.And I’m not sure if you have been living under a rock for the past year, but I haven’t seen you send any, nor have I been asked to send any arrangements. The woman birthed your child.”
I snigger, slapping my hands on my armrests. “Some days I wonder what I would do without you, George. Then other days, I think of how fucking peaceful my office would be without you in it.”
“I’m presuming it’s a no on the flowers…” He turns his head slightly in question. “Sushi?”
“You’re burying yourself here, George,” Jasmine tells him, pulling him from my office and letting the door close behind them.
I’ve never understood the gift of flowers. Why would someone want something that is only going to die within a matter of days? Seems morbid to me.
Nina isn’t a gifts sort of person. She hates me spending money on her, and I can already picture her beating me with any bunch I’d give her.
Nina
I can do tonight.
What time?
Whatever Vinny knows, he isn’t telling me, but that was far too easy. It only makes me feel uneasy.
Maybe flowers would soften her up? She’ll be anxious coming to the house.
No thorns.
George
Do I have a budget, and does she have a favourite flower?
It’s flowers?? How much do they cost?!