Page 69 of Flare

“You mean other than me wanting to keep on your good side because you’re smoking hot.”

His mouth dropped open, then closed, and then he laughed. “Hasn’t seemed to cramp your honesty so far.”

“I live to serve. But since we’re speaking of smoking hot bodies and kisses and these...” I pushed the black glasses up his nose and leaned in. “You can’t expect me to behave when you’re wearing these.”

“Pervert.” He smiled against my lips. “And I don’t recall anything about kisses in our conversation, or glasses.” He covered my mouth with his and slipped his tongue inside.

“Mmm.” I wiggled around to get more comfortable, but he pulled back.

“Let me fix dinner before we get... distracted.”

Thirty minutes later, I was downing a craft beer and stuffing myself on Rhys’s stir-fried beef and noodles. He was still chatty and outwardly upbeat, but tired lines were beginning to cut deep around those beautiful brown eyes and it worried me that he was pushing himself too hard. Getting a new store off the ground had to be hard enough without the pressure of Fashion Week. And then there was Kip’s mention of the dip in sales, plus this ex-employer who’d been added to the list of people I’d like a few minutes alone with.

But Rhys refused to employ anyone else under the store’s current financial cloud, and since there wasn’t a lot about the show itself that he could delegate, I was going to have to try and look after him myself, at least as much as he’d let me. One thing I’d very quickly learned about Rhys Hellier: he wasn’t kidding about liking control and he fought help at every turn. For the moment I was letting it go, but if this downward spiral kept going, a reckoning was coming.

I studied him over my loaded fork. “I know I’ve said it before, but I can’t thank you enough for what you and Kip have done for Jack. He’s like a different kid.”

Rhys smiled and covered my hand with his. “You’re welcome. I think it’s probably helped being around a couple of men he didn’t know, even if we are flaming gays.” He laughed. “Kip keeps him on track, and I think Jack quite enjoys going over to watch Leon work when we’re quiet, which has been too bloody often these last couple of weeks. And Leon is definitelynotflaming.”

I frowned. “Kip mentioned the business is still struggling.”

“Yeah.” Rhys played with the last of his meal. “I mean, we still get rushes, but the down times are getting longer.” He dropped his fork and pushed his plate aside. “But enough about that. I want to enjoy time with you, not fret about money.”

“Fair enough. What’s on the agenda?” And I proceeded to suck a noodle very slowly into my mouth.

“Bastard.” Rhys leaned across and kissed me, taking the last bit of the noodle with him when he sat back.

“Oh, veryLady and the Tramp.” I wiped my mouth. “Which one—”

He stabbed a finger at me. “Don’t even think about it. Back to the noodle. You’ve been reading my list, haven’t you?” He waggled his brows.

“Cover to cover. I’ve run out of highlighters.”

He snorted. “We are very definitely revisiting this conversation, but I want to ask you something before we leave the topic of Jack. Two things, actually.”

I put my fork down and took his hand. “I’m all ears.”

“How would you feel if I offered Jack a permanent gig once he’s finished his time? Maybe two afternoons a week, as long as it fits with his schoolwork. Or a Saturday morning, if that was easier. Leon said he’ll split the pay if Jack agrees to sweep out back of the tattoo studio as well. I haven’t said anything to Jack. I figured you might want to check with Serena.”

I said nothing for a second, completely gobsmacked. I also knew Jack would be over the moon. “Are you sure? What about the cost?”

He shrugged. “A few hours isn’t going to put a dent in my bottom line, and Leon’s contribution will help. It would be an olive branch to Kip since I can’t afford another assistant yet. You’d be doing me a favour.”

I leaned in and kissed him softly. “Then I think it’s a great idea. He’s not involved in any sport, so his weekends are free, but his schoolwork is still marginal—something we’re going to have a serious chat about. Maybe I could dangle this as an incentive, if that’s all right with you?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then leave it with me. I’ll check with Serena and let you know.”

“Great.” Rhys collected our plates and walked them to the kitchen. “Now for question number two. Jack says he’s got some junior school ball or dance thing in a few weeks?”

I nodded as Rhys made his way back to the table and a car horn blasted outside in the street. “I only found out yesterday. One of those girls he mentioned hanging around with has asked him to go.”

Rhys beamed. “Good for him. Making friends, see? Seems the sympathy vote worked.”

“Don’t encourage him. He’s already talking sleepover arrangements and I can’t even, not yet.”

Rhys patted my hand. “Poor baby.”

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