Page 22 of A Merry Penthouse Christmas
Skylar sizes me up again but this time I think it might not be for my clothing choice. “If that was some pathetically veiled attempt to inquire about Arik’s sexuality, he’s not 100% anything. Very much pan.”
“Oh, that I’ve surmised.”
“Have you now?”
“Um, well…”
“Don’t fumble so much that you bite that tongue in two. Arik told me you got an eyeful the other week. He tells me everything. After that incident, he told me to keep his calendar clear of, um… extracurriculars. Not that I usually handle that side of his appointment making, but he still mentioned it.”
“He hasn’t been seeing anyone?”
“Not on the calendars I have access to. Very odd behavior for him, unless he is closing in on a new sort of prey.”
“Well, he has been very busy with that merger.”
“How astute of you.” Skylar says it as if I am being anything but. “As far as percentages go, dear, I can let you in on a secret, one I think your failed marriage did not teach you.”
That brings me to attention.
“When you find the right partner, it doesn’t matter what your usual percentage is. Your sexuality becomes 100% them. Red isn’t your color,” he adds and returns his attention to his tablet.
“I… hey! It’s Christmas time!” I defend.
“Time of year doesn’t change the laws of the universe.” Skylar glances briefly at me again. “We need to get you into something… marigold, I think. And something not bought from some online sale or discount retailer.” He turns his tablet toward me where he has already pulled up an apparent candidate—a shirt costing well over $300.
“I can’t afford—”
“Sweetheart, Arik’s clothing budget is so vast, I dip into it for myself all the time. Yes, with his permission. It’s good for business for his assistant to slay as much as he does. Or more so. Same goes for you, considering you’re the one taking care of his spawn.”
“Spawn? Come on, you can’t tell me you don’t think Bastian is adorable.”
Skylar stares at me deadpan. “I have corgis. And I prefer them. You, however, have promise. You’re cute, genuine, in need of anew wardrobe but not a gold digger. If you’ve been a little lax or latent in your sexual exploration lately, maybe get on that—or on someone—and decide what you really want. Because in this life none of us live long enough to shuffle our feet.”
He presses purchase on the shirt without confirming my size.
He guessed right anyway.
“Are you bullying Beau again?” Arik’s voice startles me. He is wearing a grey suit today with a navy shirt and lighter blue tie. All that class while holding his son at his shoulder is the equivalent of a cleared complexion and sunny skies. Damn it.
“Honesty is not bullying,” Skylar says. “And seriously, Arik, where do you keep getting these ties? Another gift?”
Arik looks down at it. “This has nearly the exact same pattern as your jacket.” It does, almost the same blue too just with gray flowers instead of black.
“Yes, but I make this pattern look good.” Skylar pulls out another tie from… somewhere, this one in silver. I can already tell it’s going to look amazing on Arik when I take Bastian from him.
He swaps ties and leaves the previous one on a table by the door. The floral one is maybe not quite right for a businessman, but it would look nice for a Christmas dinner somewhere. With someone.
Not me, obviously.
But not anyone else right now either apparently.
“Something on your mind?” Arik asks.
“Huh? Oh! Just wondering if you’ll be home later.”
“Maybe even in time for dinner.”
I seriously half expect Arik to lean forward and kiss my cheek. He does. Leans forward, I mean, and kisses Bastian’s forehead.
