Page 48 of Hate You to Love You

With a cocktail in one hand, and the other clutching my bookstore haul, my hands are full. I drop my bags onto a nearby stool, catching Claudia’s notebook when it slips out of the Daunt tote bag and quickly slipping it back inside. Charles gives my hand a firm shake.

‘Is that a bag full of tote bags?’ he asks, his voice deep and dry.

‘I do love supporting a small business,’ I say sheepishly.

He laughs and adjusts the bow tie at the top of his suit. ‘What was that book you had there? Is it any good?’

‘That? Oh, just something I’m reading for work.’

‘Are you from our Sydney office?’

‘No, I’m a journalist. My name is Carlos.’

Charles’s face lights up. ‘Ah, yes!’

‘You’ve heard about me?’

‘We’ve all heard about you. You’re the writer doing the tell-all on Claudia Leighton.’

‘That’s me.’

‘So, what’s it been like working with Elliot Simpson?’

It’s been a nightmare.

Heartbreaking.

Devastating.

‘Haven’t had much to do with him,’ I say.

‘Hmm,’ Charles mumbles.

‘Do you work with him much, here in London?’

‘Yes. Which is why I was so surprised he got the gig working with Claudia.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘Haven’t you heard? About why Elliot left the London office?’

‘Carlos—’ Before I can get any more out of Charles, I hear Elliot call out to me.

He slides himself in between me and Charles, giving him a cold stare.

‘Charles,’ Elliot says curtly.

‘Elliot,’ Charles responds, voice steely.

‘Excuse us,’ Elliot adds, pulling me to the side.

‘What’s going—’

‘I need you to mingle,’ Elliot cuts in before I can get the words out. ‘Work the room. Network. Give everyone proof that the interview and tour are going well.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Claudia isn’t here yet, so I need your help giving the team faith that things are running smoothly,’ he explains.