“Isolde, you don’t have to work out with him,” Ren says, completely serious.
It’s said in the same tone as ‘You don’t have to go home with him just because he bought you a drink.’
“Did you remind him you’d almost been shot?” I’m worried we’ll veer into territory we shouldn’t go back to, but Ren is worked up now. “Kale smoothies are one thing, but that’s out of line. You’re the client. Your schedule dictates the day, not his. Taking you to go work out.”
She gobbles up more ice cream, incensed on my behalf.
“It was all right. Adeline was there.”
Ren wrinkles her nose, realizing two of her friends had the audacity to consider exercising.
“Look, I’m sorry,” I say it before I can back out, focusingon my spoon as I scoop up more ice cream. “About this morning. I shouldn’t have shouted at you.”
Ren pulls a leg up on her booth, trying to get comfortable. “Will you take some time to think about the job offer?”
She catches my face, and holds me off. “Seriously, just think about it. Let it marinate before you turn me down.”
“I don’t want to change jobs.”
“Because you love it or because you’re a creature of habit?”
I pause mid-bite.
“Just think about it,” Ren makes me promise.
We finish the dredges of our ice cream.
“I’ve never wanted to be pushy or nosy,” she says quietly. “But now you’ve got some guy after you.”
“Yeah.” I don’t mean for it to sound glib. I see what she’s saying.
“I want to help.”
This time I say nothing. She probably thinks she still hired me a bodyguard. There’s no need to correct her.
“Is Hadrian helping?” Ren sounds shy for once.
You’re an annoying shit most of the time, Isolde. But I always help you, don’t I?
Except I don’t want his help.
Ren rubs her lips together, looking off before facing me again. It’s when I realize how tired she is. “You ever seen those pretty jewelry boxes? The ones where you open them up and a ballerina is spinning and music plays.”
I nod.
“That’s how I think of your mind.”
Is she comparing me to a ballerina going in circles and circles, getting nowhere?
“It’s like a treasure box,” Ren explains. “You’ve got all this beauty you keep hidden.”
More like monsters.
“I’ve known you all these years and it’s like you don’t want anyone to hear that music.”
As if to prove her point, I stay silent.
“You don’t have to talk to me,” Ren says, her voice more neutral than I’ve heard it before. She leans her elbows on the table, people watching. “You know Tristan gave me some really good advice when he was my bodyguard.”
