“I’m James Stoddard. I love your work,” he says.
I relax. Not someone I shagged and shafted then. “Thank you.” I turn back to face the runway, but Pip nudges me, so Iplaster a smile on my face and turn back to the man. “That’s very kind of you.”
“Can’t imagine what you’re doing at a fashion show of all places. I heard Xavier Conway is here. God knows how he managed to be on time. I was at a shoot yesterday, and they were saying that he’s flakier than a chocolate bar.” He leans in closer. His face has a cocky, arrogant expression I hate. “Are you doing anything after the show? I’d love to discuss your technique.”
“I’d rather shit in my hands and clap.” There’s a stunned silence. “Thank you, though.”
I face forward again, and after a few moments, I sigh in Pip’s direction. “You are actuallyvibratingwith the need to say something. Like a gossipy tuning fork.”
Pip snorts, his eyes alight with the usual merriment that clings to him like fairy dust. I see Olivier shoot him an affectionate look. “That was sorude.”
“And you still sound admiring. Should I be sorry?”
He waves a careless hand. “Not at all. He’s a wanker, and I heard what he said about Xavier.” He winks at me. “It’s very interesting that you were polite until he bitched Xavier up.”
“I’m sure it is interesting to you. You need more hobbies.”
“James was so rude to me last year and told me I got above myself.”
“That’s not difficult. You’re not very tall.”
His look is wicked. “I was just thinking that was the hundredth potential hookup I’ve seen you turn down in the course of our friendship. Maybe your rejects can form a club.”
“What a delightful thought.”
“Are you actually aiming to be a eunuch?”
“If it means an end to this conversation, then yes.” I consider telling him I haven’t had anyone in my bed for years, but he’d have questions. Healwayshas questions.
We fall silent and watch as Mal Booth appears. His long form is clad in black leggings and a long coat which is open to show off his tanned chest.
Pip tuts. “These coats are a bit skimpy,” he whispers. “If the weather turns, Mal’s going to catch a cold.”
“Will that make him stop talking?”
“Probably not.” He eyes the checked coat as Mal strides closer. “Would you wear one of those?”
I shake my head. “I like my coats to cover up the bits that might get chilly. It’s a novel idea, I know.”
I check my watch and try to settle back into the chair, which could be used as a torture implement when the fashion crowd have finished with it. “I can’t believe I’m at this bloody thing.”
He eyes me. “I knew you’d come.”
“Really? Because I didn’t have a clue until I turned up.”
“You were coming as soon as I mentioned I was concerned about Xavier.”
Worry trickles like ice through my veins. “And you’ve yet to explain why.”
He wrinkles his nose. “I can’t explain it. His behaviour is wild, but that’s normal. I’ve had to pull him out of more beds than Goldilocks over the years.”
Jealousy strikes like a bolt of lightning, unexpected, unwelcome, and dangerous. Xavier’s not mine. He can do what he likes. It doesn’t matter in the slightest that my soul decided he belonged to me the second I met him. I can’t change Xavier, of course. It would be like trying to tame or predict that lightning bolt.
My hand strays to my necklace, and I curl my fingers into a fist and slowly lower it to my lap.
Pip watches me, his head cocked to one side like a nosy blackbird.
Mal glides past us, shooting Pip a wink, but my attention strays the moment a familiar form steps onto the runway.
