Page 90 of Something Cheeky

“We can’t forget the shoes, which are the catalyst for her relationship with the Emperor.” Zoe unclipped a Polaroid photo from the hanger to show Greg.

He took the picture from her, frowning as he studied it.

“They’re at the cobbler right now so he can add rubber soles to them. We can’t have Katie Mai slipping during the dance numbers,” she quickly added.

Zoe knew she was talking too fast, but Greg’s silence increased her anxiety. This man had an opinion about everything. Was he holding back because he didn’t want to give her bad feedback? Would he make Derek fire her instead of being the bad guy?

The more costumes she showed the artistic director, the more her thoughts spun. She fumbled over her words and basically sounded the opposite of confident. Instead of reassuring him of her ability, she made things worse.

The torture was over after she’d shown him the final costume. Or so she thought.

“Well, Ms. Tran, the story your designs tell will read very well onstage.”

“Oh, thank you.” It was the second time this afternoon that Greg had surprised her.

“But I’m concerned that you still have so many unfinished pieces.”

He leaned in so close that she started to choke on his cologne. He pulled back so she didn’t cough in his face.

“Has Shawn not spoken to you about your time management? You’re not even close to finishing the rest of the costumes. You’ll need to scale back. Make compromises.”

He pressed his lips together like a disapproving school teacher. Or maybe even like her college professor, who’d told her that she had no choice but to do as he asked or he’d flunk her from the theater program and tell everyone who asked that she was too difficult to work with.

She plastered on a smile, hoping that she didn’t look like a deer in headlights.

“I-I-it’s all under control,” she stammered, taking a step back, but she was stopped by the worktable.

He’d trapped her. She breathed through her mouth and shot a glance at the door. TJ and Shawn had to come back from their break soon. They’d been gone for at least thirty minutes.

“Derek’s not coming to rescue you today. He’s got problems of his own.” The man’s blue eyes crinkled with glee. He was enjoying his power over her.

“What did you do?” she demanded.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“You’re trying to sabotage the production,” she accused.

“Why would I do that to a theater that I run? To my mentee of all people?” he replied innocently. But she knew better.

“You can’t stand the fact that he’s going to be even more successful, more famous, than you’ll ever be.”

Greg’s face blanched. He stepped back at her boldness. Zoe edged herself out from between him and the table. She inhaled air that hadn’t been poisoned by his fragrance.

“Derek will never be more successful than me unless I allow it,” Greg sneered in condescension. “He hasn’t earned his dues yet. Neither have you.”

“I don’t need to earn anything. I’m here because I want to be.” Zoe straightened her spine as her confidence returned. “I already have a successful business.”

“Lingerie, how classy.”

“I don’t need you or your approval, Greg.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

They both turned to the door as voices echoed in the hallway. Finally she wouldn’t be alone with the awful excuse for a human.

“If you change your mind, come up to my office. I have a few suggestions on how you can pay your dues.” Greg’s smile left no question as to what he meant.

Zoe swallowed and kept her face neutral. She refused to give him the joy of watching her squirm.

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