I liked him.
Chapter 6
Jack
Something about the night did not sit well with me. The restaurant had been arranged to work with what Leif Rosso had needed: long tables for his guests, some of whom were on my daughter’s list of top ten people to scream over; a separate area for the media and a carefully measured bar. He’d asked for the drinks to be restricted which fit with the whole reason for the event. There was champagne and low alcohol beer, no spirits and the wine had one of the lowest alcohol percentages that I’d ever come across.
It had shit-storm written all over it.
Simone was convinced that everything was constructed to run smoothly. She was happy with Rosso and the stories he’d given her, she’d taken advice from Vanessa in terms of PR and had Vanessa and her business partner Alice there. But I wasn’t convinced. I didn’t want Simone’s baby to be tarnished by something that was outside of her control. Or anything.
“You look as if you’re about to tie everyone up and dump them in a river.”
Sophie Slater had perched herself at the bar. She’d been here a couple of time in the last few days and I had a feeling it was to check me out. That was all fine and I think I’d so far passed inspection.
“If Rosso causes or does anything that puts any form of taint on this restaurant I’ll stick him in the Thames with a very heavy weight tied to his feet.” I folded my arms. Getting to the gym today hadn’t happened and I was feeling twitchy. Lauren was ill, which was unusual, so I’d dropped her off with Rebecca’s parents as I wasn’t happy with her being at home by herself. My brother had been AWOL since the Sunday before, which wasn’t totally unusual, but definitely niggling at me. And now we had this circus tonight.
“It will be fine. Simone is amazing at these things and she knows what this is about. Leif Rosso is retiring from the public eye after battling with alcohol.”
“Another washed up rock star.”
She shrugged. “Maybe. He’s invited his foster family here tonight and the foster kids they now have. They have the top table.”
“You think he’s a nice guy?”
She shrugged. “I don’t think he’s a douche. Simone thinks she likes you, by the way.”
I sat down. “Are we back in high school.”
Sophie laughed. “She may as well be. She’s clueless with men. She’s bothered that you’re her employee and basically, she thinks you’re mad if you’re interested.”
I watched Simone as she spoke to a couple of people from Rosso’s team who had turned up to drop some stuff off that he was giving away. She looked fucking gorgeous; trousers that showed off the shape of her legs and a top that made her tits look spectacular. She’d always interested me, but after spending more time with her, I was definitelyinterested.
Long-term relationships weren’t something I’d pursued. I’d had a few that had lasted near enough a year, but nothing much beyond the odd sleepover and regular dates. If Simone was interested, it couldn’t be just a fling. Our working relationship was too important – to me at least as I loved my job – to fuck up over a casually few dates.
“I’m not mad but I am interested.”
“I can tell. Be careful with her. She’s a crazy-assed businesswoman who doesn’t think twice about taking on a new venture and she aims for the top every time, but she’s been screwed over in the past.”
“Her exes.”
“She told you?”
“She mentioned it. No details. I googled the second one.”
Sophie smiled grimly. “He was a piece of work from everything she’s said. She hasn’t dated anyone since. If she goes out with you, it’s a big thing.”
“That doesn’t put me off. I’ve got a fifteen-year-old daughter. Nothing scares me more than her.”
Her peel of laughter caused people to look our way. “I’ll get you a voucher for a facial for her. A treat. Simone told me that she’s a dancer.”
“That’s what she wants to do. It’s her passion.”
“How old were you when she was born? You must’ve been a young dad.”
I hadn’t thought I was at the time. Rebecca was pregnant, we were going to be parents and that was that.
“What’s that?” Simone came over to us carrying a box.
