Page 95 of Gluttony
Bailey put the cover on the box. “No. This is a good time. Is everything okay?”
Agnes paused. “Look. I just wanted to get your opinion on something, and I couldn’t wait until next week until I saw you.”
“What is it?” Tension twisted Bailey’s stomach into knots.
“It’s... um. Okay, there’s no easy way to say this, but I’m not sure if Mr. Lazarus’s donation is a bit too much.”
Bailey blinked. “Do you mean from Tony?”
“Yes, well, I know he’s been coming in and playing games with the kids, which is great. You know, they can always do with a new gaming console, there’s so many of them. But the music studio?”
Bailey didn’t know what to say. “Tony’s been in this week?”
“Oh, I thought you knew. He’s been dropping in to spend time with a few of the children. But he promised them a music studio, and I almost didn’t believe it, but the contractor has already been in touch with us.”
She forgot to breathe. “When was that?”
“Yesterday. Do you think it’s too much? I mean, we need some other essential items more than a music studio, if you know what I mean?”
Bailey hummed in agreement, but her mind was still stuck on Tony’s generosity. He hadn’t told her he’d been going, and he’d given no sign that he wanted to donate a music studio. This was obviously something he wanted to do on his own. She smiled when she remembered Tony trying to direct the press conference toward the sobriety house.
This was becoming as important to him, as it was to her.
“I think a music studio is perfect for them. They all love music. It will give them an opportunity to come to the house, and it will keep them occupied. We can just make sure to let him know not to go overboard with it.”
“I don’t want the place to be a target for criminals. With expensive equipment, it could be, you know?”
“Absolutely. I’ll make sure to tell him to go for the cheaper equipment when I see him next.”
“Great. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful. Thank you for talking to me.”
“No problem.”
After she cut the call, Bailey opened the box again. A warm feeling spread throughout her body. She touched the lingerie and imagined a future with him. It involved a happier time, traveling the world together, maybe coming home to have a family. Tomorrow, she thought. Tonight she would sleep on it, and tomorrow she would make her decision.
Thirty-Two
Christ,Tony was nervous.
Dressed in a tuxedo and standing at the start of the red carpet, he tried not to flinch every time a paparazzo shot went off, capturing his awkwardness. A tug on his bow tie, and a check of his communicator watch every few minutes didn’t help.
The red carpet extended from the sidewalk, deep into the entrance of the zoo. Over the din of the crowd—made up of media, fans and giveaway winners—watching from behind red ropes, he heard the occasional monkey whoop and elephant trumpet. It would be interesting to see how much of the noise would be covered when the movie started.
He wasn’t supposed to be standing there. His turn to walk had been scheduled toward the end, but he’d wanted to make sure he was there first. He wanted to see Bailey alight the vehicle and take her arm. He wanted her to know that he’d be there waiting.
If she turned up.
He checked his watch for the fifth time. It looked like a Rolex, but the face was digital. No one knew it was a direct line to the rest of his family, and to AIMI. He tapped it to activate the smart screen and flicked through the apps until he found the message confirming the car he’d sent to Bailey’s had arrived. If she’d accepted it, she should be here by now. Glancing down the red carpet, he didn’t fancy a trip there on his own. The entertainment media were brutal sharks taking a bite out of every star and starlet. Already, he’d seen some B-grade actors get shunned and dropped mid-question when another bigger celebrity arrived. There were sports stars, reality TV stars, and more.
Tony had plenty of opportunity to leave the secure roped off holding bay he was in, but he’d wanted his last red-walk to be with someone he loved.
A smile danced on his face as he thought about Bailey. Yes, he loved her. He should have admitted it from the start, and then maybe he’d not have been so blinded by his jealousy and paranoia. If—when—she turned up, he’d know she felt the same way too. Everything else was just noise. They’d work things out.
Shifting from foot to foot, he straightened when a stretch limo pulled up at the curb. The driver got out and opened the back door. Holding his breath, he watched, waiting for that first long leg to poke out of the car.
It was a male brown boot, followed by navy trousers covering thick thighs... definitely not female. Not Bailey. He almost looked away, but when the rest of the body came out, his lips curved. Parker. The man had his locks tied back in a shiny man bun. His brown facial hair was trimmed to perfection. He looked a million dollars.
Tony walked over and shook his hand. “Wasn’t sure if you’d come.”
