Page 49 of Wicked Proposal

I grab my coffee, blowing across the top to cool it down a little and sip carefully.

“For fucks sake. Fine. Do what you’ve got to do.” My eyes roll hard in frustration. “Why do I pay you again?”

“Because I’m the best and no one else can put up with your grumpy arse.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE

EMILY

“Have you gone over the contract yet?” Adam asks me as I’m clicking away at the mouse to my computer. We’ve been on the phone for ten minutes already just making sure we have everything right before I go to the lawyer and ask him to go over the small print, I want to make sure I’m not missing anything.

I didn’t get time to look over the contract last night, it meant taking time away from us and I didn’t want that. I was in a bad enough mood yesterday and I have no idea why. I must’ve got out of the wrong side of bed or something because it didn’t leave me all day, even when I tried to ignore it when we were looking around the gallery. I was shocked when he took me there. That’s not the old Troy I used to know. He would never have done that before.

“I have, yeah. I’m going to see my lawyer today if that’s okay. I’m sure everything is fine, but I want to make sure I’m not jeopardising this place. I’ve worked hard to make this gallery what it is.”

“I understand that fully. Everything should be as it seems but if you have any issues whatsoever give me a call. Bear in mind, I am in New York right now so if I’m delayed in getting back to you then that’s why. I’m literally just having a bite to eat.”

Looking at my watch, I see it’s almost 12:30p.m. “Oh damn, I’m sorry, Adam.”

“No, don’t apologise I’m here whenever. Don’t be worried about times, I tend not to sleep much. So, you see your lawyer and then we can pick it up from there,but please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions you have.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.” I smile even though he can’t see me. It’s like everything is finally dropping into place.

“Lovely talking to you, Emily. Speak soon.”

“Bye.”Ending the call to Adam, I stand up, pulling my bag onto my shoulder I divert into the small bathroom just off the office first, checking my face for crumbs and shit and make sure my hair is tidy then place my handbag on the sink. I top up my lipstick then quickly rinse my hands, dry them off and pull my bag onto my shoulder. Dipping back into my office I grab the brown envelope from the desk and head back looking for Kellie. “Kell, I’m off to see my lawyer. She appears at the front of the room. “I should only be an hour or so.”

We’re quiet today so she’s been doing some of the dusting while I’ve been doing paperwork and getting ready for my appointment.

“Are you all set?” She says with a yellow duster in her hand.

“I think so. He’s only got to check it over for me to make sure I’m not falling into any potholes. As much as I’d love to be a known painter and artist, I love this place. I don’t want all my time to be stuck painting to deadlines and heading off around the world to showcase them. I don’t want it that much.”

“Adam seems nice though.” She drags the rag over the front of the paintings and across the top.

“He is.” I nod, “But please don’t say that around Troy. I’m sure he just thinks he wants in my knickers… I mean like I have room for another man in my life. Troy’s like having ten.” I say, my eyes rolling at the oh-so-loud man in my life.

“Lucky you. I just want one man in my life.” I smile wide at her comment.

“Well, I’m certain he has multiple personalities, I could lend you one of them.” I shrug. It’s not like I’m lying.

“I can’t be doing with that stress, I’ll pass. I just want simple.” She says going back to her dusting, “Plus from the way he looks at you, even with ten personalities, he still wouldn’t have eyes for anyone else.” Even through all the tension of this morning and going over the contract, that makes me smile and puts a spring in my step. I do love the way he looks at me, like I’m literally the only person in the room.

Sighing dreamily, I stroll towards the glass doors, as I go for the handle I see a smudge, “You missed a bit.” Her head snaps back to me with narrowed eyes and I push the door open.

“I haven’t done those yet!”She yells as I swiftly leave.

She mutters something else as the door closes behind me, but I can’t make it out. Turning the corner, I walk out onto the car park to get in my nice, reliable Focus and start the car, placing the envelope and my bag on the passenger seat, I pull out into the lunchtime traffic and make my way to my appointment.

I haven’t heard from Troy all morning. I mean, I don’t always hear from him in the day but sometimes he’ll message me and sometimes he’ll just turn up at the gallery, but today he hasn’t done either. In fact, now that I think about it, he was out of the house earlier too. Maybe I’ll give him a ring. As I stop at the lights, I find his name in my contacts on my Bluetooth and press call. It rings three times and just as I’m about to hit the end call on my steering wheel he picks up.

“Troy Parker.” He obviously hasn’t looked at his screen.

“Hey. It’s me.”

“Oh, hello Em. Sorry, I was concentrating on the computer screen trying to go oversome things.” My brows come in slightly in a light frown, he sounds off. Maybe he’s busy.

“Is everything okay?” I ask timidly as I concentrate on taking the right turn.

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