Page 53 of Just a Number

“Oh yeah, what for?”

“Ready for when my super sexy, secret lover is ready to come all over my cock again. Or my tongue. Or my fingers.”

I chuckle at his forwardness.

“Do you have any time this week to come to the studio for your pottery lesson? And we can grab lunch together,” he asks with a hopeful lilt in his voice.

“I’d love that, but work is going to be manic for the next couple of weeks.”

“Oh, okay, maybe when it’s quietened down then?” It’s impossible to miss the sound of disappointment in his voice.

I feel the need to explain my brush off. “I’m trying really hard to prove myself at work. There’s the possibility of a promotion coming up and I’m hopeful I’ll be in the running.”

“What’s the promotion?” he asks. His full attention is on me, his body facing me, making me feel like I’m the most important thing to him.

“I’m currently an Events Co-ordinator—I run a portfolio of events. But there’s talk of a new role of Events Manager who would oversee the co-ordinators and be responsible for bringing in new opportunities. It’s fairly different from what I do now. But I’m so ready for the challenge. I’ve been feeling a bit bored lately.”

“Have you always been in that line of work?” he asks.

“Mostly. I started out more on the admin side—that’s how I first met Cassidy years ago. I love organising events, but while Zack was young, I did part-time hours. It made it hard to climb the ladder.” I pause, drawing in breath. Alex watches me intently. He’s such a good listener. “I’ve been full-time for a few years now and worked up from helping with events to being in charge of my portfolio. But…” I trail off, worried I’m boring him.

“But what, Mel?” His hand reaches to brush against mine, clasped around my coffee cup.

“Since the divorce, I’ve been fed up. There was a change in upper management and it’s all become very boys’ club. My male colleague seems to get heaps of encouragement and opportunities and yet, his events aren’t making as much of a profit and he’s not exceeding his KPI’s.” I blink as the frustration bubbles in my gut. “I work so bloody hard, Alex. I put in extra hours and I try to make everything perfect. And I get so annoyed when it’s not recognised.” I blow out a disheartened sigh.

“It doesn’t surprise me that you’re a hard worker, Mel. It’s clear to me that you do everything you do to the best of your ability. It’s what I…” he trails off and glances to the side with a sheepish look on his face before turning back, “I really admire you for that.”

I wonder what he was going to say, but I’m not brave enough to ask. “Thank you. That means a lot. I’ve been thinking about maybe going out on my own. Not in competition with my current employers though. I’d love to combine my events skills and my love of books and work with authors and readers.”

His face is soft as I talk and his encouraging nod warms my heart.

“I bet you’d be amazing at that. Maybe I could convince you to branch into events for other creatives. Potters, for instance.” Hiseyes twinkle cheekily. “Actually, on the subject of books, I have a confession to make.”

“What is it?” I ask in puzzlement.

“That first night I stayed over on the couch, I started reading one of your romance books.” My mouth falls open. “And then I decided to borrow it the next time I was visiting. I’ve been sneaking books in and out.”

“What?” I giggle with mirth. “You like romance novels?”

“Yeah, I do. I wanted to see what you liked. I’m learning a lot. You’ll have to show me your favourites. Maybe we can try some of the stuff out.” He waggles his brows mischievously. “If you don’t mind me borrowing them, that is.”

“Of course not, go crazy. Maybe we can do a buddy read.” I lean in to rest my head on his shoulder. His confession adding to my ever increasing happiness. I could get used to this: spending time with him, talking, sharing our hopes and goals.

And then, from the hallway, there’s the sound of the door opening.Fuck.

My shock must show as Alex tilts his chair away from me, making some space between us.

“Mel, it’s fine. Just chill. Just say you offered me breakfast when I came to see if I could do my laundry today,” he whispers, and I give him a grateful nod, just before Zack appears in the doorway.

“Hey,” he says, frowning at Alex. “Bit early for you, isn’t it?”

“I had laundry to do. Your mum offered to feed me.”

“Ah, okay, any going spare, Mum?”

“Give me a minute to finish these and I’ll make you some.”

“Thanks.” He gives me a smile.

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