“How does it feel to be jealous?” she said and I heard the laughter in her voice. “You don’t know who she is. She could be an author, or a singer, or a publisher. Go over there. Go say hi. If it’s business, he’ll say. If it’s personal, you’ll be able to tell. But there’s no point in speculating because you don’t have a clue when you’re hiding behind a bookcase.”
“I’m not jealous!”
“Yes you are and that’s healthy as long as it doesn’t become problematic. Go speak to him. Put your big girl boots on and get over there. I’ll see you this evening.” She hung up and I knew she wouldn’t answer if I rung back.
Still holding the book I’d picked up, I moved into the section where there were tables of promotions just before the coffee shop. Owen almost immediately looked up and stood, leaving the brunette mid-sentence. She glowered at me briefly, diverting her eyes when he walked towards me.
“Payton,” he said, immediately bending down to kiss me as he became close enough. His lips were gentle on my cheek, lingering just long enough so it was obvious that he wasn’t kissing a friend. His voice dropped to a whisper and he stayed close. “I’m really glad you’re here. I think she’s trying to eat me alive.”
“Who is she?”
“An author. Apparently she’s written the next big thing in literary fiction. Mum’s not here else I’d have switched with her. Come sit with us. Please.” He touched my waist, gently and discreetly because he’d kept his word about giving me space, especially when we were in public.
‘She won’t mind?”
“I hope she does.” He took my hand and led me over, the brunette’s stare becoming stronger and harder.
“Livi, this is Payton, my girlfriend,” he said, pulling out a chair for me and glancing at me with the word girlfriend. “She’s a partner over at Callaghan Green, if you’ve heard of them.”
Livismiled falsely. “It’s good to meet you. I wasn’t aware Owen was seeing someone.”
Owen’s expression was its usual serene self. “Maybe you didn’t hear when I said my girlfriend was a reader and she’d be interested in your book. I don’t want to keep you too long, Livi. Is there anything else you’re concerned about before the book launch?”
“Will you be arranging it?” she said. “My publisher said that the owner would be overseeing everything.”
Owen shook his head. “I’m away that evening. Dot Anders will be overseeing everything but the manager, Cal Griffiths is more than capable.”
Her head swung round to me. “Callaghan Green—isn’t that the firm where some of the partners are brothers? They were in a magazine last year? Three really attractive men in suits?”
I wasn’t sure whether she was trying to make Owen jealous or find a way in to meet the ‘really attractive brothers’.
“Yep,” I said simply with a smile that I tried to make seem friendly. Owen’s hand brushed my legs under the table. I knocked my knee against his and saw him smile.
“How do you work with that amount of hotness around you all the time. They’re what fantasies are made of,” she said full of enthusiasm. “And so rich too.”
I could sense Owen struggling to keep from laughing.
“I have no issue working with them as they’re my brothers,” I said, digging my nails into my hands. “And even if they weren’t, I’m a professional and try to act that way, so I wouldn’t be entertaining a work place fling just because someone was hot or rich. It could be too damaging.”
She looked at me blankly and I wondered whether I’d just responded to her in Spanish.
“Well, maybe you could bring them with you to the launch party. I’d love to meet them,” she said, casting her eyes back to Owen, as if I had been dismissed.
“We’ll make sure invites are sent out to the right people,” Owen said, leaning forward over the table slightly. “Your publisher has already given us a list and we’ve agreed on the catering, so everything should be taken care of.” He stood up and offered his hand. “It’s been good to meet you.”
“You too. Should I take your mobile number, just in case…”
Owen shook his head. “You’re best contacting me via email as I’m not always able to answer.”
“Sure, no problem,” she shook his hand limply and gave me a watery smile. “See you soon.”
We watched her go, Owen’s hand on my leg under the table. “You were jealous, weren’t you?”
“No, I didn’t even spot you until you called my name…”
He laughed loudly. “Bullshit, Payts, I saw you as soon as you came in and waited for you to come over, but you went and hid behind the crime books.”
I strummed my fingers on the table. “I brought you a sandwich.” I reached for the paper bag and passed it him. “Thought it’d make a change from work food.”
