“Afternoon, Wesley.” I clapped him hard on the shoulder and he pretended to jump.
Wes had been in a few amateur dramatic performances in his local theatre, frequently musicals as he had a decent voice and really enjoyed hamming it up.
It also got him out of the house when his wife said he was working too much.
Part of the reason we got on so well was that he didn’t try to be my shadow. He had a ton of clients, treated them all like fairly intelligent human beings and if they were being dicks, he would finish with them. We all knew that an agent with morals was unicorn shit in this industry.
“Took you long enough.” He spied the box in my other hand. “Ah, eclairs from my favourite. And your fiancée.” He stood up, ignored the box, and went straight to Sophie. “It’s lovely to meet you.” There was a hug and he lifted her left hand, looking at the ring his wife had chosen. “Nice ring.”
She laughed. “Thank you. It was well picked.”
“Roisin tells me you’ve written a couple of corkers as well as picked one to marry you. Remind me – we need to make sure she’s of sound mind at some point because agreeing to marry you could mean that she needs treatment of some sort.” He gave Sophie a wink. “Roisin also tells me you’ve written a song that you’re not letting her have.” He raised his brows.
“Yep. I can still write and not have them recorded, Wes.” I sat down, picking up my guitar first.
“This is true. I’d still like to hear, if that’s okay?”
I shrugged. “Maybe later. What’s the reason for you being here anyway? You didn’t say?”
“Actually it was to see Rosey.” He nodded at her. “I’m acting for her now too. She contacted me. Said you’d recommended me.”
I hadn’t, but there was no reason why not. Roisin was about the same age as Wes’ daughters and he’d do well looking after her.
“Good move. For both of you.”
Wes nodded, smiled at Roisin and opened the box, taking out one of the huge chocolate eclairs. “Go on then, let’s see what you’ve got.”
* * *
I could’ve gotten the limo.
When Sophie had said about the restaurant and the exclusive bar and the limo, I’d figured I could've made it happen, if I wanted.
Right now, I was wondering if I should’ve. Then I could’ve picked her up from home, booked a restaurant completely and had no other man looking at her.
She wasn’t tall. She also wasn’t skin and bone; her curves were something I’d re-explored in my mind most nights when I hadn’t been with her. Tonight she was wearing a navy blue dress that was low cut between her tits, going straight to her navel. The dress was long, but there was a slit up to mid-thigh and she was wearing a pair of heels that should’ve been classed as weapons.
Her hair was pinned up and curly. I was already thinking what it would be like later on my pillow.
“Good choice.” She put a hand to my waist as she reached me, walking across a darkened area in the bar where there were a few tables cast about. Shoshi was a new bar, part-owned by one of my bandmates, and members only. It wasn’t well known that Gaz owned it – it would’ve made it a media magnet – and no one hung out there hoping to make the gossip columns.
“Have you been here before?”
She shook her head. “Never. I’d heard about it from one or two of the clients. It’s nice. I like it.”
I wasn’t sure if Gaz would be down with nice or not.
We walked over to the table I’d had reserved for us – drinks here, then a meal at Grand Pacific, an Asian fusion restaurant that I was pretty sure Sophie would enjoy.
I wanted her to enjoy it. I wanted her to start to see this as being more than a convenience. Fuck knew what I’d do if she did start feeling that way as these were already unchartered waters that had freaking piranhas in them.
A waiter came over and took our order. Sophie opted for a cocktail. I stuck with beer.
“So this is what it means to be famous. You can get a table in here any time of the day.” She smiled at me. “It seems a bit surreal.”
“I know it’s weird. I still remembered not being let into a pub to play a gig because I had trainers on. Gaz owns part of this place so getting in here is never a problem. That’s not why we’re here though. I like the place – thought you’d like it too.”
I watched her as she glanced out of the window which stretched across the wall. We were about seventeen storeys up and had a view over the Thames. Although it was cold outside, the night was clear; London’s lights were all on show.
