‘No, of course I haven’t forgotten. Last night was…’ He pauses, blinks slowly and gives me a reluctant half-smile. ‘…incredible. Of course it was.’
I exhale, relieved it wasn’t all one-sided and I hadn’t imagined it.
‘But honestly, I would never have hooked up with you if I’d known where you worked. This makes things very complicated.’
Back to being rude again.
Wait. I suddenly remember him telling me about the incompetent staff who are running the company into the ground and all the people he will be sacking. Of course, he will be worried about his unprofessional breach of confidence. I certainly would if it was me. Fancy telling a total stranger all that sensitive office politics. What was he thinking?
‘I won’t say anything.’ I lower my voice again. ‘You know, about the sackings and the imminent disciplinary action?’
He lets out another agonised groan as if only just remembering.
‘I’m fully aware that it’s an unprofessional breach of classified information. But trust me. My lips are sealed.’
I see him swallow a lump the size of a turnip as he fidgets with his collar as though it’s too tight for him to breathe. ‘Okay. Leave this with me.’
‘Leave what with you?’ I ask, but he’s already marching away towards Erika. I slump down in the chair and sit like Norma-no-mates, a lone wolf, surveying the scene at the other end of the hall. Less than two hours ago he had my nipple in his mouth and wanted to elope with me. Now, here he is acting as if me giving him a lap dance wearing nothing but a tea towel and a pair of coconuts meant barely anything!
And even though it’s him with the problem, my skin is crawling with shame. Talk about the sting of rejection. He couldn’t have been clearer about regretting hooking up with me. And that there will certainly be no continuation of any kind.
I am mortified. I’m experiencing a horrific vision of me thrusting my pelvis in his face multiple times and us being asked to leave Club Cherry Lips on the grounds of lewd behaviour. I shake the flashback away.
My eyes are glued to Jackson. He hasn’t so much as given me a backward glance. My stomach plummets as I search the near vicinity for a place to hide… for a few hundred years.
I survey the two groups of reps. Bodrum North are keeping themselves to themselves on one side of the buffet table and Bodrum South are huddled on the other side. I literally have nowhere to stand. Just as I’m about to go outside for some fresh air and a think, Jackson scrapes back his chair and walks over to me.
‘I’m sorry if I offended you earlier. But I’d appreciate it if you kept our… you know… to yourself. And anything that I told you.’ He can barely look me in the eye. My heart twangs with hurt and – maybe it’s the extreme fatigue – my eyes pool with tears. I look away, nodding.
‘Please, Maddie. Look at me. I genuinely don’t want to upset you.’
Too late.I swallow hard, keeping my gaze trained on the floor. After a lengthy wait, he makes his way back to Erika who asks everyone to gather round.
‘There’s been a slight change of plans,’ she explains, her eyes sweeping the large group of reps. ‘We’ve had a last-minute booking to host an exclusive party on board theLove Ahoy!It’s one of those traditional wooden gulet boats with old-fashioned sails and not a mod con in sight. We’ll be allocating?—’
‘I get seasick,’ interrupts Astrid. ‘So, you can count me out.’
‘I’m not a great swimmer,’ blurts Garry, flexing his scrawny biceps. ‘Obviously, I look like I am but I’m not. You don’t get this body from swimming. If you know what I mean.’
Erika tuts loudly before continuing. ‘We’ll be allocating Bodrum South team to this assignment because you have experience of sailing, and you all certainly like a good party. You’ll be leaving tonight, so I suggest you go and buy some seasickness tablets, Astrid. And Garry, I’m sure I can find some children’s armbands to fit you. Jackson will do your briefing while I do my own team. We’ll cover your patch as well as our own while you are away. Follow me, Bodrum North.’
I watch them follow Erika over to the table with all the papers, like obedient little ducklings. Meanwhile, Bodrum South follow Jackson to the other side of the hall. I’m left standing like a lemon in the middle. ‘Erm, Erika? What about me? I’m due to start at head?—’
‘Maddie!’ booms Erika. ‘You’ve been reassigned. You’re now with Bodrum South team. Go on, princess! Get over there.’
10
I look over to see Garry Gee isn’t the only one to be greatly disappointed by this alarming newsflash. As I walk grudgingly towards them, I observe Jackson greeting Garry with a friendly corporate smile. It doesn’t reach his eyes, even though his body language is relaxed and open. He is showing no signs of having been up all night partying hard, drinking cocktails, dancing and frolicking. He is putting on a professional front, as must I.
I take a deep inhale. It’s Big Girl Pants time. My breathing quickens as Jackson prowls around the group, pacing up and down like a hunter evaluating its prey.
‘Okay, Garry,’ says Jackson, indicating that he should come and stand at the front with him. ‘I’ll need you to?—’
‘It’s Gee Man.’ Garry puffs out his chest like a pigeon and begins to look around at his team for confirmation. He flicks his ponytail so that it lies on his shoulder like a limp brown snake that’s had the life wrung out of it by a gang of feral youths with nothing better to do.
Jackson looks at him firmly. ‘I’m not calling you that.’
‘Okay, Gee Dawg it is. WORD!’ Garry hi-fives Shaun with a loud slap. Tiffany and Astrid giggle as though he’s said something witty.It’s baffling.
