Page 50 of Game Changer

Chapter20

Zara

My text from Buckie this morning made me happy and sad all at once.

Arrived in L.A. Miss you so much. I’ll call as soon as I’m settled. Love you. xx

I left London on Wednesday morning feeling excited at the fact he’ll be living here permanently soon. But equally as sad that I’m going to spend the whole time he’s away missing him. As the days have gone on, a little bit of apprehension has started to creep in. I made the stupid mistake of resurrecting my Google alerts on Buckie as soon as I got home. And it gave me nothing but grief. Needless to say, I deactivated it again.

Buckie made it clear that he wanted nothing more to do with Annalise. Yet every time he’s been pictured with her, they seem to be having a grand old time. I hope in my heart that it’s all for the cameras but in my head, they’re fooling around behind my back in plain sight. The thought makes me sick to my stomach. I absentmindedly run a towel around the inside of an already dry glass. I’ve come to Crush to observe our first Saturday pole dancing class. This is the intermediate class and they’re getting well used the poles in the club now. As far as I can tell it’s going great. Although I’ve paid very little attention to it at all.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Blair interrupts my daymare.

I shake my head and meet her gaze. “Daydreaming, sorry Blair.”

“Ooh dreaming about lover boy.” She rests her chin on her hand and flutters her long lashes.

I smile at her. “Sorry I can’t help it.”

“Aww honey, you guys make a great couple. And I hear the premiere went well. Must have been very glamorous. I saw the pics of you both. You looked stunning.”

“Actually, until I got to see the film it was very boring. You only ever see snippets of the events on TV and all the lights and great camera angles make it look amazing. But there’s a lot of hanging around, especially if you’re not in the film or doing the PR stuff. And I’m not even going to get started on his co-star. Let’s just say we did not get along.”

“Well you did say Buckie told you she’s a diva. I take it she’s worse in real life?”

“You have no idea. Talking of ideas, I have one to run by you.”

“Great segue there Zara. Hit me. What you thinking about?” She hops up on a stool at the bar and clasps her hands in front of her.

“Well, as you know the building next door has become vacant since they moved offices. I was thinking about your proposal to hold extra classes. I wondered if it would be a sound investment to buy the building and turn it into a purpose-built studio.”

“Are you kidding? Of course it would be a sound investment. Oh my God Zara I have so many ideas for it.”

“Well here’s where you come in to all this too. I know you love your dancing job, but I’m going to need some help now if I want to expand any further. You’ve been with me right from the start, and you’re about the only person I’d trust to help me run these businesses. I want to have you on board as a project manager for this venture. With a view to taking more of a managerial position in the future.”

“Wow, um… can I think about it? This is a big leap from being a dancer.”

“Absolutely. And you know your salary will increase to reflect any added responsibility you may have.”

“You know the salary isn’t why I work all the hours I do Zara but thank you.”

“I do know. You think about what I’ve said and let me know. I’m meeting with the estate agents this morning to have a look at the place. I’d like it if you came in with me even if it’s only to bounce ideas around.”

She winks at me and hops off the stool. “Deal. These classes are going really well so I think you’re doing the right thing.”

“Thanks.” She heads back to the class, some of whom have got the hang of the pole quickly, others not so much. I smile at all the giggling and female bonding going on. It’s nice to see.

I know this new venture is going be to a great investment. And Buckie’s comment the other day about my business being global has had me excited that it could become a possibility. No one has ever got anywhere without taking a risk. If the place ends up being suitable, I’ll head straight to the bank with my proposals.

My phone vibrates in my back pocket and on checking it I see it’s a text from Joe.

Hey sis. Are you still coming over to the estate today? Val is making us lunch.

My twin brother is the grounds manager of a huge estate in the Clyde Valley. His boss, Dan King, is a mega successful billionaire. Nessa, Joe’s fiancée, is Dan’s daughter’s nanny. I love visiting the estate. It’s so peaceful and feels like a country escape even though it’s only half an hour away from Glasgow. Valerie, the house manager always feeds me well whenever I’m there.

Do you honestly think I’m going to pass up Val’s food? Silly boy. Of course I’ll be there. Oh and it’ll be nice to see you and Nessa too of course. x

I chuckle at myself. We have a great relationship. And being twins means we are closer than the average siblings.

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