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“I was never very good at that side of things either. At least Robin has you to put him right, we were as bad as each other. But you’ve nothing to feel unsure over. Be that me, or anyone else.”
He still didn’t look convinced but there was no reason he should take Dorian’s word for it. “Would be good if we can stop your crazy fans trying to get you back together. I’ve had to close my Instagram because I got some nasty messages.”
“We do the red carpet. I could even post some photos of the two of us being friendly like.”
Simon snorted. “I’m already a home-wrecking whore for being with Robin, I can’t imagine the stink if they think I’ve tried to ensnare you too.” He laughed. “I’d be a crab-infested floozy within seconds.”
“We’ll figure something out.”
“Let’s see if the red carpet trick will work. Otherwise it’s likely the more rabid fans will only back off once you’ve got a partner. Until then, I’m staying off social media. At least under my real name.”
Dorian hated how Simon had been swept up in the fallout of his life. It wasn’t Dorian’s fault, he knew he wasn’t responsible for the actions of his fans, but it would have never come to this if he hadn’t been hiding. Whoever had let the cat out of the bag was partly responsible and while he had a gut feeling about the culprit, he had no proof.
Simon excused himself, wanting to get to Robin and Dorian thought there might be a serious talk in the offing later. He was knackered but Ben had suggested a couple of brandies and he thought that would be just what he needed to wind down for the night.
CHAPTER12
After spending the last hour chasing down an appointment for Ben that turned out to have been for two months prior, Alex succumbed to the slice of chocolate cake Mrs Weather had sent up along with his afternoon tea. Ben was a lovely man, but he was a whirlwind of disorganisation wrapped up in a designer suit. There was evidence that he could be capable of keeping things under check, and the business side of the hall ran well, but the rest of it appeared to happen by good luck or people being persistent if they wanted Ben to attend something.
The cake made up for the frustration and he made a deal with himself he would take a long walk after dinner, even if the intent would be to finish in the pub and have a beer with Dara.
His office door opened without anyone knocking and Dorian caught him in mid-moan as he ate a large bit of cake. “Should I leave you two alone?”
Alex chewed carefully and swallowed. “No, but what you could do is learn how to knock.”
He suspected Dorian wasn’t used to being spoken to in such a way, especially not by someone who could be considered as workingforhim. He’d learn, one way or another.
“It seems I left my manners in LA. Sorry.” He smiled, and Alex could see why he was such a popular leading man. “Do you have some time for me?”
He pointed his fork at the chair opposite. “Take a seat. You can tell me what you want while I finish my cake.”
“I’ve a red carpet event coming up. So I need a fancy car service, hotel and a stylist.”
“Don’t you already have those? Or at least work with certain people?”
“My management team would’ve arranged it. I haven’t a clue how to sort it out.” He rubbed the palm of one hand with the thumb of another, making Alex think it was an unconscious act of comfort. “I’d like a new suit as well.”
None of it was a particularly challenging ask. “I can probably get you an appointment with Ben’s tailor unless you want designer and then we could get you a private viewing with the boutique of your choice. The rest I have contacts for but will need a date.”
“Oh, I expected it to be more complicated.”
Alex took another bite of his cake before answering. “It’s my job. I’m a professional. Things that might look complicated to you, aren’t to me.”
“Is there a way to restart this conversation without me sounding like an arsehole?”
Alex laughed. “You’re not being an arsehole. But I do appreciate the sentiment.”
He pulled out the notebook he’d started for working with Dorian and made a few notes. “Leicester Square I take it, and so a suitably decent hotel nearby? Alternatively, if you would prefer more privacy, a stylist could come to the hall and the car would pick up and drop you back here afterwards.”
“I hadn’t thought of that option. I think I would prefer it.”
“Not surprising really.” He checked his notes. “There’ll be an after-show party, I presume?”
“Yeah, but I’m not obliged to attend.”
It wasn’t surprising Dorian didn’t want to go, and it sounded as if he would have given the whole thing a miss if it had been up to him. “Life is too short to do things that’ll make you miserable. On a different note, will you have a plus one?”
“Not exactly, but Robin and Simon are thinking of attending as my guests if the dates work.”
