‘No. You sell it once you’ve used it to showcase your talents.’
‘I don’t want to. It’s a great idea, Libby. And it was your idea, so I want you to benefit from it too.’
‘Tim—'
‘Say you’ll do it or I won’t play.’ Tim folded his arms across his bony frame and looked at me over the top of his trendy, thick-rimmed glasses.
I sighed. ‘I’ll do it,’ I said, not quite able to stop the little smile that escaped. Tim really did make the most beautiful clothes.
‘And you feature it on your blog.’
‘That was always going to happen. I’ll feature them all, and I’ll keep the first piece, but the rest you sell. Deal?’
‘No deal.’
‘Why not?’
‘It’s only a few pieces a year, Libby, and the promotion I’ll get from you looking fabulous in them is worth more than I could sell any of them for.’
‘Flattery will get you everywhere.’ I winked. ‘You’re sure?’
‘I’m sure. And, bonus, I get to see you in your underwear when you come for fitting.’
‘Oh, yes. Because that’s a real draw for you.’
Tim winked back. ‘Actually, I just live in hope that one day you might bring a gorgeous man with you and I can persuade him he needs something made to measure.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind, but don’t get your hopes up.’
6
I took one look at Charlie walking through the door to the restaurant and decided that Tim would have an appropriately pink fit if I ever brought Charlie to a fitting with me. He wore smart khakis that made his bum look amazing, and a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal gently tanned forearms with just the right amount of muscle to them. I hadn’t looked at the menu yet but I was pretty sure several people in the room had already decided on the perfect dessert.
‘Hi.’ Charlie smiled as he took his seat opposite me, having said hello to his brother and Amy. They’d met properly earlier this afternoon when he’d dropped round to his brother’s place, just after I’d spoken to Amy about the proposed dinner. Everything was arranged and Charlie had texted me back to say that they were all together and agreed it was a lovely idea. And now, here we were. And it was all very lovely indeed. For a while.
‘So, you’re not seeing anyone at the moment, then?’ Amy asked Charlie, in an apparently casual way that I knew was anything but. ‘I find that hard to believe. Couple of big, lovely blokes like you two and only one with a girlfriend. It seems a little unfair.’
‘I don’t mind.’ Marcus grinned, his eyes giving Amy a teasing look.
I kept my face passive and gave Amy a kick under the table.
‘Ow!’ Marcus bent and rubbed his shin.
‘Oh, no! I’m so sorry. I started getting cramp in my leg and…’
‘No worries.’ Marcus smiled and gave his leg a final rub.
Although I’d ended up making contact with the wrong person, I hoped the distraction was enough to give Amy the hint.
‘So, was that a no?’ Amy prompted Charlie.
Apparently not.
‘Umm, no, not really. Work’s kind of mad at the moment. Lots of travelling.’
‘And he’s picky as hell,’ Marcus volunteered.
‘Is he now?’ Amy asked, intrigued.
