‘I get back from Barcelona midweek, so that could work.’
Herhot as hellcomment suddenly makes more sense—though she absolutely is hot—as I recall our initialinterview.
‘How is Antonio?’ My enquiry is not without a touch of chagrin.
‘Oh, Antonio’s hanging,’ she responds airily.
While I’m not overly pleased to imagine her surrounded by swinging dicks, I can’t help but be a little confused by what she means.
‘You’re hanging with Antonio now?’ I say, attempting to keep the strain from my voice.And mostly winning.
‘No.’ Static sounds over the phone as though her hair is brushing against the speaker. ‘Antonio ishanging,’ she adds almost in a whisper. ‘On the set. Hanging as in the text I sent.’
‘Jesus, woman,’ I say, chuckling, her meaning becoming suddenly clear. ‘Is it not enough that you nearly blinded me in the coffee shop wi’ pictures of him!’
‘He’s not blinding anyone today, let me tell you. At least, not by poking anyone’s eye out.’ In the distance, someone calls her name. ‘I’m sorry,’ she says quickly. ‘I have to get back. Text me where and I’ll see you next week?’
‘Sure. I look forward to it.’
With warm goodbyes, we end our call, and I go back into the pub.
‘See,’ Will says, taking in the splashes of rain on my shirt. ‘Even the heavens are weeping with joy because you got your dick wet yesterday.’
‘You’ll be pleased to know it isn’t an unsalvageable mess, no thanks to you.’
‘You’re going to see her again?’ The surprise on his face hits me like a kick in the nuts. Swift and painful.
‘That’s a grand idea,’ Mac says, downing the rest of his drink. ‘Are we ready to go?’
Chapter 14
PAISLEY
‘Check you out! Where are you off to dressed like that?’
I look down at my outfit, wondering what Chastity means; skinny jeans, heels, and an oversized sweater is hardly worth the look on her face. ‘What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?’ I ask, looking up again.
‘Wrong? Nothing. But I haven’t seen you dress up in months.’
‘I always try to look nice.’ Apart from the weeks post breakup when I wore nothing but stained sweats or my old robe. ‘I look nice for work, don’t I? Smart—smart casual,’ I add, a touch defensive.
‘What she means is you look hot.’ From his position on the sofa next to Chastity, Max’s gaze slides my way—then slides up, then down, taking in my whole outfit.My whole body.
‘Stop imagining me in my underwear,’ I retort, pointing my finger at him. ‘It’s just jeans and a sweater.’
‘And an awful lot of collarbone. And one bared shoulder.’ Max smiles, sort of shark-like, plunging his hand into the large bowl of popcorn on Chas’s lap, stuffing the contents into his mouth.
‘So?’ I huff out, a little frustrated. ‘It’s not like I have a whole lot of T & A on display.’
‘You don’t have to dress provocatively to look sexy. In fact, the less skin on display, the more sexy a look can be.’ Chas then elbows Max sharply in the ribs. ‘Not that he’s supposed to notice.’
‘Oof!That’s rich coming from the woman who makes her living off people wearing no clothes. And I can’t help that I have eyes. Anyone can see she looks like she’s off to get boned!’
‘Max,’ Chas adds in a warning tone. ‘Enough.’
‘Fine, fine,’ he says, sliding his feet from the coffee table. He unfolds his long frame from the chair. ‘I can see where I’m not wanted. The movie’s finished anyway. You,’ he says, clasping my shoulders with his hands, ‘look gorgeous.’
‘It’s still just jeans and a sweater,’ I mutter. ‘Really.’ I want to look nice, and yes, I am off to get boned as Max so charmingly puts it, but I don’t want to look obvious. Or desperate.
