“I don’t know. It’s always been a fantasy, but more of a bedroom thing. It’s just, he won’t touch me. We go out on dates all the time, and he listens to all my drama and gives me advice, but nothing.”
“Maybe he just wants to be friends.”
“Definitely not. He wants exclusivity.”
“You’ve already given him that.”
“He doesn’t know I haven’t been playing around.”
“Why not?”
“It gives him power, doesn’t it? I can’t depend on someone like that again.”
“Patrick and Grant are nothing alike. First, one of them is a criminal and the other is hugely successful through legal means. Second, Patrick would make it his top priority to make you happy. Grant just used you as a trophy husband. He used to lock you in a room, for fuck’s sake. You’re so lucky you got away that night.”
Shame flooded over Jason. He’d never told Charlie why Grant was trying to lock him up, and what had happenedafterwards. What could have happened if Grant hadn’t survived the fall?
“You need to talk to him, Jason. Tell him how you feel.”
“I will do, after this interview is out of the way.”
“What interview?”
Oh fuck. I shouldn’t have said that.
“What interview, Jason? Are you leaving JenSure?”
“You have to keep this to yourself. Not even Sebastian.”
“Of course.”
“Jane is leaving and I’m going for her job.”
Charlie squealed loudly, getting them a few looks.
“Be quiet,” Jason hissed.
“Why don’t you want anyone to know? This is a big deal.”
“Exactly. I only want people to know when it’s over. It’s a long shot at my age, but Jane wants me to go for it.”
“Is Jane recommending you?”
Jason nodded. Charlie’s eyes watered.
“Why are you crying?”
“It’s so inspiring.”
“What is?”
“Look at what your start in life was, and now you could be an openly gay C-suite leader of a FTSE 100 company.”
Jason flushed. He hadn’t thought of it like that. Fuck – this could be a big deal.
“Thanks for putting more pressure on me, Charlie. Can always rely on you to calm my anxiety.”
“You better smash it, then. For all those queer kids out there.”
