Page 31 of Stuck with the Hot Boss
Given how he’d played it down, Evie had expected Leo’s flat to be tucked away in the least posh part of Chelsea. It was, in fact, in a mansion block only a stone’s throw from Sloane Square. She had also expected it to reflect his fashion taste – stylish and understated. And it did, but it was alsogorgeous.
‘Leo! You have achandelier!’
‘It’s a light fitting,’ he said, looking uncomfortable, ‘that happens to have dangly bits.’
‘And thisfireplace,’ Evie exclaimed, running her hand over the cool, dust-free mantel. ‘So marvellously marbly.’
Leo shrugged. ‘It came with the flat.’
‘Did you decorate this place yourself?’ Evie wasn’t going to let him off the hook. ‘It’s so beautiful. So elegant.’
‘I suppose,’ he replied, gracelessly. ‘I mean, I went to a shop and bought stuff.’
Evie stared pointedly at Leo’s outfit du jour. Slim-fit pants the colour of a latte, and his usual polo shirt, this one in a cream pique fabric. His style might be understated but it was carefully considered. There was not a chance in hell that Leo had casually chosen his décor.
‘Why are you embarrassed?’ she asked. ‘Being this classy takes real talent. Own it.’
‘Do you want a glass of water?’ he said, by way of reply.
‘Leo,’ Evie warned.
He threw up his hands. ‘I don’t like praise, okay! It makes my skin crawl.’
Evie paused, puzzling this out. ‘Because you think you don’t deserve it?’
‘Partly,’ Leo said. ‘But I think mostly because praise means people are examining what you do. And I’ve spent far too much of my life being watched and judged.’
Evie’s heart swelled to bursting. This beautiful man had never been allowed to doanythingfreely, without being scrutinised. What he ate, what he did, how he looked; everything had to be prescribed, directed, curated, because his career depended on it. Evie felt a flash of anger towards the parents who’d forced him to live like this. They must have known the effect it was having on him, surely?
‘Don’t blame my parents.’ Leo had read her mind. ‘They both suffered through very poor childhoods, and though they were earning enough to pay the bills by the time I was born, I think that kind of fear never leaves you. Every penny I earned my parents put away for me. So that when I got too old for modelling, I’d be set. I’d never have to worry about money.’
‘That’s why they were heartbroken when you quit,’ said Evie. ‘They’d planned for you to earn for another ten years or so.’
‘At least.’ Leo pursed his mouth apologetically. ‘Male models often have a longer shelf life than women.’
‘Have they come to terms with it now?’ Evie hoped the answer was yes.
‘They worryconstantly,’ said Leo. ‘And I understand, I do. But sometimes it gets a bit – much.’
Evie recalled coming home from school crying after another day of being bullied, and seeing her own mother’s face. The sadness on it, and the helplessness. It had made eight-year-old Evie feel doubly bad because now she’d upset her mother. It was hard to bear a parent’s pain as well as your own.
‘They love you,’ said Evie. ‘And that’s their way of expressing it. If you focus on the intent behind their words, it might get easier.’
Leo inclined his head to one side, assessing her like she was a painting. ‘I feel like there’s a whole side of you I’ve yet to get to know,’ he said. ‘Serious Evie. She doesn’t come out much.’
‘I never joke about love,’ said Evie.
It was true, but she’d only that moment realised it. She’d tossed theword‘love’ about plenty of times. Thefeeling, the real emotion, she’d been holding close, waiting until it was (that word, again)safefor her to release it. Waiting for someone she could trust. Someone who struggled with their sense of self-worth but wasn’t afraid to admit it. Who faced their fears and kept going. Who didn’t run away when life got tough. Someone she could depend on to love herwholeself, weaknesses, quirks and all.
‘It’s a terrifying prospect, isn’t it?’ said Leo, who might actually be psychic. ‘Giving your heart to someone?’
‘Makes me want to curl into a foetal position,’ Evie confessed. ‘And, in fact, crawl right back into the womb.’
Leo’s smile was filled with affection and knowing. He moved towards her until they stood face to face, not touching, but fully aware of each other, in more ways than purely physical.
‘I’m kind of a basket case,’ Leo murmured. ‘Hope that’s okay?’
‘I’m allmannerof weirdness,’ Evie replied. ‘Looks like we’re made for each other.’
