“Really? I thought you said I seemed like a scared, little bunny.”
“I think you’ve misunderstood me. I saw you at the club months ago and thought you were attractive. I was excited when I found out I’d be working with you. I thought we could enjoy some time together.”
I narrowed my eyes at her and folded my arms tight over my chest. “I’m with Alfie.”
“Alfie Tell is with a lot of women but if you’re telling me that he’s made you an exclusive play partner then I’ll respect that.”
“Actually, he’s making me his wife.”
I almost laughed at the way her mouth fell open. “If I’d known?—”
“You’d have what? Treated me with some respect? Your behaviour is out of line whether he and I were casual or not. This isn’t how you approach someone for sex.”
I shook my head at her. I was used to men being inappropriate with me but I’d never dealt with such a sexually aggressive woman before. It was unnerving.
“You know, I just wanted to show up, do my job, and enjoy the experience. But you’ve made yourself a problem and now I have to deal with it.”
“Does Alfie know that I spoke to you the other day?” For the first time, she looked nervous. Whether about losing her club membership or her job I wasn’t sure. Hopefully both.
“No, but he’s going to. We don’t keep secrets.” I raised my hand to stop her from arguing. “What he chooses to do about you is up to him but I don’t want to have this conversation with you again. Club life and the rest of my life are two very different worlds and I don’t want any crossover.”
She gave me a stiff nod and walked out of the tent. I released the breath I’d been holding. Holy crap. I’d done it. I’d talked to her like I owned the place which I practically did.
I let out a nervous giggle. I wondered if this is what Alfie felt like every time he bossed someone around. I was starting to see why he did it so much.
By the time the end of the day rolled around, my high had faded, leaving frustration in its place. The damn elephant still looked like a dog. A pink dog, but a dog nonetheless. I wouldn’t be going back to London tonight.
My stomach twisted up. I wanted to see Alfie, even though I was still upset.
But this had to come first.
“I can stay and work on it, if you like?” Sid offered. I appreciated it but I waved him off.
“No, you have the weekend off. I need to do it myself anyway.”
He nodded, not bothering to argue with me. “You know, aside from Imani, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone get as obsessed with a project as you. That elephant looks pretty much perfect to me but you’ve been messing with it all day.”
“Sorry,” I said, though I didn’t put down my pliers. I was elbow deep in trying to correct the creature's face. “I’ve got a lot on my mind. Maybe that explains all the extra tweaking.”
Sid sat on the bench, drinking from a nearly empty bottle of Lucozade. “Man trouble?” he asked. “I don’t want to pry. I just noticed you've been quiet. Can I do anything?”
“You’re sweet but no. Thank you though.” I twisted the wire with my pliers, adjusting the eye placement on the piece. Sid didn’t leave, just sat in silent companionship for a few minutes until I finally caved. “So the man in my ‘Man Trouble’ isn’t romance related. It’s my father. He left me when I was four, now he’s shown up out of the blue, wanting a relationship again.”
“Hm.” He nodded. “Convenient now that you have a billionaire on your arm.”
I couldn’t argue with him but damn, did everyone have to point that out?
“Yeah. I’m just working through it. No big deal.” It was a hundred percent a big deal but I didn’t want to put it on this man I barely knew.
“I’m sorry. My mum left when I was ten. Just decided she was done being a mother and poof, gone. Came back when her grandkid was born though.”
I paused what I was doing and looked over at him. “I didn’t know you had kids.”
“Yeah. Just one. What? I don’t look like a traditional guy?”
I eyed his sequined shorts and his pink eyeshadow. He grinned at me. He knew damn well that he didn’t look like a traditional guy.
“How did you deal with it when your mum came back? Did you give her a chance?”
