Out of sight, out of mind.
Grice scratched his chin. “So how come you were staying at the hotel when you first arrived?”
“It was easier that way.” Sebastian’s smile didn’t falter. “My flight got in late, then I was straight into meetings with Michael that morning. Now, shall we get this interview started?”
“Absolutely.” Grice took his seat.
Helen shot Sebastian a glance.Yikes!
Sebastian, frowned ever so slightly back.Yeah.
Grice set his phone on the table to record the interview and read out a series of questions about the campaign’s progress from his notepad, scribbling down Sebastian’s smooth, eloquent answers. Occasionally, Helen chipped in with her own comments and reflections of the events that had taken place so far, and before she knew it, the interview was over.
Grice closed his notebook and stopped his phone recording.
“Thanks, that was great.” Leaning back, his gaze dipped to Helen’s hand, still joined with Sebastian’s. “So what will you guys do in September? Will it be back to a long-distance relationship?”
“I’m afraid so.” Sebastian covered her hand with his. “My training schedule keeps me flat-out busy and Helen has her own work commitments in the UK. But we’ll spend as much time together as possible, and look forward to the holidays at the end of the year.”
Christmas?
Thoughts of cozy nights by the fire with Sebastian came to mind—then screeched to a halt.None of this is actually real, silly.
Hadn’t those stupid daydreams about Jaxon taught her anything?
Helen tuned back in to the conversation. They were talking about the recent press release that had announced The Wags would be taking part in the last Get Living event at the end of August.
“Is Nadine really attempting to run the race with you?” Grice asked.
Helen’s ears pricked up, like they always did when Nadine and Sebastian were mentioned in the same sentence.
“She’s certainly up for the challenge,” Sebastian said. “To keep her on track with her training, I’m giving her daily tips and advice.”
Is he now … ?
Recalling Nadine’s polish and shine at the inaugural dinner—and how she’d draped herself over Sebastian’s biceps—Helen wondered if Sebastian would fall for Miss Charming. He cared too much for his reputation to flirt with another woman and risk the rumors, but still. He was a master at cherry-picking the sides of his personality that he wanted people to see, so how would Helen even know if he had feelings—real feelings—for someone?
“Ready when you are!” Omar called out.
Helen forced a smile as they headed toward the area Omar had set up with lights and reflectors which afforded a pretty view of her colorful garden and the cottage in the background. She posed for a few lovey-dovey shots with Sebastian, then stood to the side with Grice.
“Mind if I use your bathroom while Omar does Sebastian’s solo shots?” Grice asked. “That drink has gone straight through me.”
“Of course.” Helen led him to the house. Neither she nor Sebastian had wanted Grice inside, but they’d known a request to use the bathroom would be a possibility so they’d spruced the place up.
“I just love these old cottages,” Grice said as they walked through the super-neat kitchen, passing the vase of cut flowers Sebastian had placed on the recently polished table. “Their upkeep must be a real labor of love.”
“It is.” Helen pointed down the hallway. “The bathroom is that door on the left.”
“Thanks.”
Waiting in the kitchen, Helen watched Sebastian through the window. As he posed for the final photographs, she stewed over what hisdaily tips and adviceto Nadine might entail. Banter? Jokes? Suggestive comments?Hmm. Helen was no expert, but she was pretty sure jealousy of other women wasn’t part of a just-sexarrangement.
The toilet flushed and she pushed away from the window to meet Grice in the hallway.
“This is so quaint.” Grice glanced everywhere, then instead of following her to the kitchen, he turned into the living room and helped himself to a good look around in there too.
“Um … it’s this way.”
