Page 64 of Fragile Touch (Fragile 1)
He leaned forward to kiss her. “I’ve had an interesting proposition come up recently. As in, yesterday.”
“Okay.” Although he said it wasn’t serious, her nerves were beginning to spiral.
Cayden thought for a second. “One of my clients—her name is Janine—is a very wealthy woman. You should hear her list of accomplishments. She’s met everyone you can think of and has done financial consulting for all the top businesses in the world, practically. Let me illustrate: their house here is one of twelve houses they own around the world.”
“She sounds...delightful?”
“That’s to give you some background,” he explained. “Janine called me yesterday to ask if I would be interested in helping her.”
“With what?”
“She and her husband, who is overseas most of the time working on who knows what, are moving to Los Angeles.”
“That’s nowhere near here,” Lillian said, butterflies picking up in her belly for a different reason this time.
“I know,” Cayden nodded. “Janine is the pickiest in the world when it comes to her choice of gym and trainer, and she thinks I’m basically the most incredible fitness god that has ever existed.” A smug smile lifted his face. “I mean, let’s be real here for a minute.”
Lillian just stared.
“Since Janine doesn’t have a gym or a trainer in L.A. yet, she wants to hire me to come to L.A. with them while they get settled.” At Lillian’s blank face, he quickly added, “It’s so she doesn’t lose her fitness routine while she’s scouring the city for the perfect new trainer.”
The silence in the room suddenly became deafening. Lillian’s ears clouded until Cayden’s voice sounded like it came from the other side of a wall.
“What did you decide to do?” she whispered.
“I wanted to talk to you first.”
“How long would you be gone?”
“I don’t know. Until she finds a new trainer.”
“That could take months, if she’s as particular as you say.”
Cayden grimaced.
Trying to breathe normally, she unwrapped her legs from around him. “I think you should do what you want to do,” she said, but her head felt light.
“It pays a lot, Lil. She’s not short of cash. I would hardly have to spend anything when I’m there.”
Visions of healthy, muscular, model-gorgeous women flashed in her mind, and right in the middle was the girl who had cornered him against his own house. It’s L.A., she screamed inside. There are so many girls there who will fling themselves at him like he’s Ryan Reynolds.
“I don’t want to be away for too long, honestly,” he said.
Don’t adopt his insecurities, Lillian, she commanded herself. He won’t find another girl. He’ll only be gone for a little while. He’ll be faithful.
“I don’t want you to be gone too long, either,” she whimpered.
Cayden took her in his arms. She buried her nose in his chest and tried to re-center her thoughts.
“I think I’m going to do it. Even a couple of weeks pays more than what I get in a month right now.” His voice vibrated in his chest. She listened to his heartbeat as he began to ramble about all the reasons he should take Janine up on her offer. He couldn’t seem to stop talking. Lillian realized he was excited about this change of scenery.
“So,” she interrupted, “when are you leaving?” Trying to lighten her own mood, she said jokingly, “I need time to emotionally prepare.”
He pressed his lips together. “She’s moving next week.”
“Next week?” Lillian’s jaw hit the floor. “She has the nerve to ask you to uproot with only a week’s notice?”
“It’s—”
