I dragged my gaze away from him and out the window. I'd been staring at him for quite some time, watching his face turned red with embarrassment and irritation. I wanted to pinch those pink cheeks of his but I refrained. I'd get my hands on him soon enough in the studio.
When we arrived, Stan took his sweet time exiting the limo. He stood hunched over on the sidewalk, looking at the studio sign with disdain. His feet dragged like lead, as if an invisible ball and chain clattered behind him. Perhaps he needed a pick me up.
"Coffee?" I asked brightly. "We've got plenty at the espresso bar."
Stan frowned. "I thought we were going to your studio."
The shocked expression on his face made me laugh. Did he think I was going to drag him on a date or something?
"Of course we are, darling," I replied. "We have an espresso barinthe studio."
Stan raised an eyebrow. "Darling?"
I waved a hand. "Don't think so hard about it. I use pet names for everybody. But if it upsets you, I can stop saying it."
Stan flushed and mumbled, "It's fine, whatever."
I refrained from smirking. I had a feeling he secretly enjoyed it but was too stubborn to admit it.
"Come along," I said before leading him into the building.
At the front counter, Rudy smiled and greeted us. "Hey, Fabian! And this must be Stan. Nice to meet you."
Stan nodded. "Thanks. You too."
I noticed he held less animosity towards Rudy, which I appreciated. Even though there was something I liked about Stan's bad attitude, I wouldn't tolerate him acting cruelly towards my staff. That also confirmed my hunch that Stan had a problem with me specifically. I felt honored, in a way.
"So? Coffee?" I asked Stan.
He shook his head, making his limp hair flop around like roadkill. "Don't like coffee. Besides, I just had tea. Well… Iwashaving tea before you showed up at my office."
"Sure, we have tea as well," Rudy said. "Let me know what kind you like and I'll whip that up for you right away."
Stan looked surprised that they offered. "Um, I usually get a chai latte but if that's too hard, any teabag is fine."
"I can make you a chai latte no problem! You keep doing your thing with Fabian and I'll get that to you in a minute."
Rudy darted off to the espresso bar. I noticed Stan hanging his head more than usual.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"No, I just don't like to bother people with my requests," he mumbled. "I don't want to be a hassle."
The moment felt right so I lightly touched his arm the same way I would do to any other client when I was trying to comfort them. "Stan, you're not a hassle. The whole reason you're here is forusto take care ofyou. So just sit back, relax and let us do our work." I smiled. "All right?"
He shuffled uncomfortably but nodded. "Okay."
I withdrew my hand so I didn't overstay my welcome, but it pleased me that he didn't pull away.
"Now!" I clapped my hands together. "Let's get to work."
Stan huffed. "Right, because you have a lot to do."
He was referencing my earlier comment at his office. I crossed my arms and grinned. "Yes, we do. And Iknowyou know it. However, I will apologize for saying that in front of a crowd. Your appearance seems to be a sore spot for you, despite you saying otherwise."
Stan barked a laugh. "I'm not sore about it all." He paused. "I appreciate it, though. Anyway, let's get this over with. What should I do?"
I took a step back to examine Stan in full view. Where to begin? His hair was crying for a cut, and that posture was disastrous, and those clothes needed to be burned…
