Page 99 of You Spin Me Round

‘Is this even gonna work?’ Steven asked.

‘Define work,’ Alex said.

‘I mean, is itreallygonna distract everyone from the fact she was photographed in that seven-way last year?’

‘Let’s not shame her, Steven. She has a lot of love to give,’ Alex told him with a wry smile. ‘And the people that watch her shitty soap simply need to be reminded of that. That at heart, she’s just an old-fashioned girl who wants to marry the man of her dreams.’

‘But Dan is cool with it? The group sex stuff?’

‘Are you kidding? He was there!’ Alex told him.

‘What?!’ Steven exclaimed. ‘Is he in the photo?’

‘He’s the one in the gimp mask,’ Alex told him.

Steven shook his head in befuddlement. ‘Right, I better call that designer. Again.’ He walked out.

Alex sat down behind her desk and looked at the dress. It was definitely too poofy.

The door opened, and Leigh swept in. ‘Sorry to drop by unannounced, but do you have a minute?’

Though Alex had spent all day mired in the most cynical wedding of the century, her face lit up when she saw Leigh.

‘Hi,’ Alex said, standing and leaning across the desk to kiss Leigh sweetly on the lips.

‘Hi,’ Leigh said, taking the kiss and adding her own. ‘So, is this alright? You got time for a chat?’

‘Always,’ Alex smiled.

‘I know you’re busy…’

‘Calloway, you’ve got my attention,’ Alex assured her, sitting down. ‘Tell me how I can make your dreams come true?’

Leigh chuckled and sat down on the other chair. ‘I just wanted to check in about the campaign we talked about.’

Alex clapped her hands together. ‘Ah, yes. I’ve got the team on it. Someone should call you guys soon to schedule the pitch.’

‘You’re sure you have the time?’ Leigh asked uncertainly.

‘We made time,’ Alex told her assertively.

‘But…’

‘Leigh, it’s good for us. We do pro bono work for a women’s charity, and we get to look like people who give a shit. Win-win.’

‘And that’s the only reason you’re doing this?’ Leigh said cynically.

‘Totally.’

‘You don’t fool me, you big softie. I know all about your gooey caramel centre.’

Alex sighed. ‘Yeah, I know. But I need to be cynical right now. I’m doing cynical things.’

‘And you’re very good at them,’ Leigh complimented her. ‘Oh, Amanda says to say hi, by the way.’

‘Hi back.’ Alex remembered something. ‘Is she in the office? I’d like to ring her to tell her something really quick?’

‘No, she’s out fundraising.’

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