“Nellie!”
She startles. Oscar releases her hand. I smile like I didn’t just yell to get her attention.
“Did you hear me?”
“Uh… oh…” Her hand smooths over her messy hair. “Yes… I think I would like that very much. Maybe I’ll go…” She points toward the stairs. “Maybe, I’ll take a shower first or a bath. Shave my legs and whatever needs shaving.”
Oh dear God. Oscar wiggles his brows at her. “If you need any help—”
“Then I’ll help you.” I grit my teeth, glaring at him for a second before smiling at Nellie.
“I’ll let you both… or you, Scarlet, know if I need anything.”
“Just give us a shout.” Oscar winks as she nearly runs into the wall on her way to the stairs.
“Bloody hell!” I snatch his beanie from his head and throw it on the ground, stomping on it with each word. “What. Are. You. Doing?”
He picks it up and dusts it off. “Was that really necessary?”
“She’s my boss. She’s my boss’s mum. She’smarriedand…”
“And?”
“She’s had something traumatic happen to her and that’s why she’s…”
“Completely delightful? Not to mention absolutely stunning. Have you looked at her eyes?”
“Have you looked at the ten carat diamond on her left ring finger?”
“You want me to steal her diamond?” He smirks.
“Breakfast?”
We both turn toward Sofia’s voice.
“Now that smells wonderful.” Oscar takes a seat at the head of the table like the king he thinks he is and tucks the napkin into his shirt as he smiles and nods at Sofia.
“Are you sure I can’t get you anything, Miss. Stone?”
“No. Thank you.”
“See what you’re missing out on all in the name of—”
“Living?” I quirk an eyebrow and plop down in the chair next to him as he moans around a bite of greasy bacon.
“Don’t you miss it?” He closes his eyes and moans some more as he chews slowly, savoring every bit of flavor.
“Bacon? Crisps? Cheese board? Yes, I miss it. But herbal tea, large green salads, and carrot juice are fair trade-offs for this little thing called life.”
“You’re probably right. Now… tell me about Theo.”
“I thought we were going to wait to talk about this.”
“We did. I said another day and you agreed. That was yesterday. Today is ‘another day.’”
I rest my elbow on the table, propping my chin up on one hand while drumming my fingers with the other hand. “I think he’s killed someone or someones, or I think he’s going to.”
Oscar stops mid-chew and lifts the napkin from his chest to wipe his mouth as he swallows. “And this is the bloke you left Daniel for?”
