Page 60 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
“Do they? And an item? I appear to have been demoted from the pretend married, I see,” I said, pouting my lips in mock distress.
He chuckled. “Well, let’s up to pretend marriage. I want you to stay the weekend with me.”
“I can’t, Sebastian,” I said, gently.
“You can. Between Monica and Tim, they’re covering the weekend. Monica agrees you could do with the space.”
“Are you organising my life behind my back?” I asked, smiling.
“Isn’t that what you agreed to?”
“I did. And wow, thank you. I’ll be wracked with guilt, of course.”
“I have something that can ease that for you,” he whispered. I shook my head and laughed.
“I’ll collect you in an hour. We’ll swing by yours so you can pick up some clothes. I’ve bought all yourfavourite toiletries to keep at mine, so you don’t need to bring any of those.”
I raised my eyebrows. “How do you know...?”
“I’ve been in your bathroom, Ruby. Of course I’d know.”
I saw Amelia walk over. “Hey, you two,” she said. She’d been to the club to take photographs for us.
Sebastian seemed uneasy, and I frowned at him. “Do you think we can grab a coffee? The three of us?” she asked.
I waited for Sebastian to answer. “Sure, why not. Wash up, Ruby, we’ll leave now.”
“I can’t justleave,” I said.
Amelia laughed. “He does own the company, darling. I’m guessing that’s all the permission you need.”
I left them to head to the toilet. I needed to wash my hands. A pang of anxiety struck my chest, although it wasn’t quite jealousy. I wasn’t sure why Sebastian felt uncomfortable, and that made me feel... uncomfortable.
We walked to the coffee shop that seemed to be a company favourite. I waved to a colleague I recognised, who was sitting with his laptop open. He waved back.
“Okay,” she said, and she took a deep breath in. “I feel like I need to say this, and I really hope that it’s okay.”
“Say what, Amelia?” Sebastian asked and whetherhe knew it or not, his voice had lowered. I saw her gently shiver, but then correct herself.
“I wanted to say how happy I am for you, Sebastian. You’ve found a wonderful partner in Ruby and, although I’m sad and a little jealous, I wanted to ask you both to just give me a little time to come to terms with it.”
I hadn’t thought for one minute how Sebastian and I being together would affect her. I’d always assumed it was just a super casual fuck buddies thing. I didn’t consider whether she had feelings for him. I was also aware that, for the first time in my presence at least, she’d called him by his first name.
“I always told you it wouldn’t lead to anything permanent,” Sebastian said, and I placed my hand on his knee hoping he’d get my message. I wanted him to soften his tone a little.
He glanced at me. “Thank you, Amelia, and I’m sorry. I should have thought more about your feelings when I was talking about him,” I said, nodding towards Sebastian. “That wasn’t very thoughtful of me.”
She smiled. “I appreciate that, Ruby. I knew it wouldn’t lead anywhere, but a girl could always hope. I can also assure you, nothing changes when I’m at work. I’ll still be my usual professional self, Mr. Wolfe.” She’d reverted to using his surname and, I assumed, to reinforce her pledge of professionalism.
Sebastian stayed silent and I didn’t think it was because he didn’t care. From the frown, I got the impression he simply didn’t know how to react. This was new territory for him, I imagined.
“Will you still be visiting the club?” I asked.
“Of course! I have a lifetime membership,” she replied, laughing.
“Do you need me to find you someone else?” Sebastian asked, finally contributing something.
“I would, If you agree to that, Ruby?”
