Page 63 of Just a Number

“Sorry, Stacey. I think the wait staff should circulate with drinks and canapes in the entrance hall.” She pauses, her bottom lip worried by her teeth once again. “We’ll see if we can get some representatives from the units by the doors, ready to welcome them in.” She gives a nod. Stacey agrees and excuses herself to make arrangements.

“Did you need something from me?” I can’t help but ask, trying to draw her attention back to me. This time, it’s mewho’s flustered when her gaze pins mine. I’m intrigued by this professional version of Mel. She’s confident and assertive and it’s hot as fuck.

“Just doing the rounds to check each unit is ready for tonight and know the plans. Is Brenda around?” she asks with a quirked brow.

“She’s due back in five minutes,” I tell her, hoping she’ll stay while she waits. “Want to see my demonstration?”

Indecision clouds her gaze. “I really wish I could. But I need to get to the other units. I’ll pop back in a while to see Brenda though, so maybe I can see you in action then?”

“You can see me in action any time you like, Mel. You just have to ask.”

She gives me a wry smile before chiding me, “Keep it clean, boyo. I’m here working.”

“You’re seriously hot when you’re giving out instructions. Feel free to boss me around anytime you like.” My pulse kicks up a notch.

She purses her lips. “I’ll be back in a while.”Okay, maybe it was just me flirting.She turns and heads back to the entrance hall and I sigh as I grab another chunk of clay.

I’m getting started on the wheel, so I’ve got a couple of thrown pieces ready for visitors to see, when my spidey-sense tells me Mel is nearby. I look up to see her walking in with Brenda and Maggie, a visiting potter and sculptor that Brenda introduced me to the other day.

“Here he is.” Brenda beams as the trio approach. “I don’t know what we’d do without him. He’s such a hard worker and incredibly skilled as a potter.”

“Jeez, Brenda, you’re making me blush,” I tell her with a grin, not failing to notice Mel’s side eye as Brenda waxes lyrical about me.

“And will you be available to help in my workshop?” Maggie asks as she tucks a strand of purple hair behind her ear. Her creativity clearly extends to her wardrobe with the funky patterned dress she has on. The style suits her.

I looked her up after being introduced the other day and was amazed to see she’s not even thirty years old yet. She’s wildly successful and has travelled the world with her sculpting and pottery work. It gives me hope that I can make a living from my art.

All three women watch me work the ball of clay to get it centred on the wheel.

“Possibly, depending on the dates we finalise and his availability,” Brenda answers for me. “Maggie’s thinking about offering a life sculpture workshop as a trial run.”

“Oh, wow.” My eyebrows raise. It would be an incredible opportunity to work with her.

“I’m always in need of models if you’re interested,” Maggie says with a grin, but I notice that Mel gawks in my periphery. “You’ll be paid handsomely. Although it’s preferable if you haven’t been in a brawl.” She focuses on my blackened eye with a frown.

“Err, yeah, maybe, depending on when it is.”

“Excellent.” Maggie nods. “Brenda can let you know the dates when they’re agreed, and you can decide from there.”

“Is it, uh, fully nude?” I ask, curious rather than worried. Mel’s gaze burns into my cheek.

“Oh yes, we need to see the full form.” She looks me up and down. “I get the feeling you’ll be wonderfully in proportion.”

My jaw slackens at this woman blatantly checking me out. “Err, thanks, I think.”

Mel clears her throat with the growliest noise I’ve ever heard from her. “Brenda, I’m sorry to rush you, but I really need to go through the timeline with you and I have to get back to the hall to check arrangements.” Her voice is tight.

“Of course. Sorry to hold you up, Mel. Maggie, why don’t you chat to Alex and I’ll just do the run-through with Mel?”

“I’d be happy to.” Maggie gives me a wink. I try to catch Mel’s eye but she’s intent on Brenda.Is she mad at me? Or is she jealous?

Chapter twenty-five

Mel

Everything seems to be under control. It’s the inaugural Creative Awards at the Arts Centre and I need it to run smoothly. I wrestled with the board to take full control of the event rather than share it with a colleague. I know I’m fully capable, but I need to prove myself. I’m getting fed up with some of the board's decisions recently; they’re leaning more towards micro-management than the strategic direction they’re supposed to be there for and it’s pissing me off.

Not for the first time, I give myself a moment to daydream about running my own business and doing it my way. My life is so up in the air at the moment, perhaps I should just embrace the chaos and go for it.

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