Page 49 of The Dicktionary Club

‘Why would he?’ Katy asked.

‘Because he’s a man!’ I snapped back.

Zola hummed briefly. ‘OK, look, you have been professional all through this. It must be regarding a venue. I say, do it! I know he was a bit arrogant .?.?.’

I pulled a face. ‘A bit!’

‘But he has great connections,’ she added.

Katy smiled. ‘And great eyes. Tell me you two have noticed the eyes!’

I couldn’t deny it; his eyes were remarkable and mysterious. But I’d never admit it out loud, even to my best friends.

I continued typing.

Ella:Sure, Mr Khan. I can move a few things around and meet you for a debrief following our meeting last night.

Ten minutes later, after emailing Andrea my out-of-office plans, I stood outside the building, chittering. I wasn’t sure if it was from nerves or the cool wind blowing my hair away from my face. The sun was finally making an appearance through small gaps in the clouds, but still, I threw a black blazer over my cream, fitted dress, keeping a professional look.

A black Bentley SUV drew up and parked outside my office building, and I spotted Philip behind the wheel. He looked much more casual than he had the evening before, dressed in a black polo shirt buttoned to the collar and wearing dark sunglasses. He stepped out of the car and walked over to greet me. As he leaned his body towards me, I tensed up, reminding myself he was a hugger – but he took hold of the passenger-side door handle instead.

‘Good morning,’ he said brightly and grinned, holding the door open and gesturing for me to sit.

I slid into the car, resting my handbag on the floor.

‘Morning, and err .?.?. thank you,’ I said, squirming at his attempt at old-fashioned chivalry.

Philip joined me in the car, and I could smell the musky aroma of his aftershave engulf the small space between us. That definitely wasn’t Davidoff’s Cool Water.

‘Our chat last night got me thinking,’ he began, pulling away from Smart Reputations.

‘Yeah?’ I replied curiously.

‘Well, I made a few calls, and I have potentially hired a venue for your big gallery exhibition. It would have to be in a couple of weeks’ time, though?’ He turned to me, his dark shades covering most of his handsome face, but not enough to hide his smug expression.

I screwed my face up, utterly confused.

‘This is usually the part where you say thanks,’ he said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

‘Well, where is the venue?’ I opted to say instead.

‘I’m about to show you. Patience.’

I sighed quietly, unsure if this was all a game to him. This was my career, a job I’d worked hard at for years, and here I was, playing along in some stupid fucking treasure hunt.

We drove through the West End, and I gazed out the window, admiring the familiar streets of my neighbourhood. It was my favourite place in the city: I loved the chilled vibe, its many bars and restaurants, Ashton Lane with its cobblestones and fairy lights, going for runs in Kelvingrove Park – and, of course, the local Paesano Pizza. I was looking forward to sitting in the park with Zola and Katy, guzzling cocktail cans on a picnic blanket, sunbathing and watching the world go by.

Philip continued driving and eventually turned, parking up on Dumbarton Road, alongside Kelvingrove Park.

‘Here?’ I questioned. ‘In the park?’

He scoffed. ‘No! In the art gallery of course.’

‘What?’ I gasped, whipping my head around to face one of the most iconic buildings in the city.

‘Isn’t it perfect?’ Philip smiled widely, taking off his shades.

‘A room in the museum, right? A small room? Like it would be a cupboard or something, surely?’ I was stuttering, trying to find my words, keep my cool.

---