Page 19 of Mayfair Madame
“I do, and I have. There are other people coming, but I’d really like for you to be there too, Ellie. Please. Say yes. It is my early birthday party after all.”
Well, since she put it that way. But I didn’t know her other than our brief interactions, and my mind raced, unable to reconcile her reasons for asking me. My inner voice screamed for me to say no, but a small part of it rebelled. How bad could it be?
“Where did you say it was? Not saying I’m coming, mind.”
“The restaurant at the apartment block. A friend of mine owns it.”
Josh and I had taken a quick tour of the small mall underneath the apartment block. There were several shops: a bakery, a bar, and the restaurant Naomi was referring to. A pretty little florist shop sat next to a gym, the patrons visible through the plate-glass window.
Beautiful bodies everywhere, all muscly and fit. Something I’d never been and was unlikely to be. Kudos to anyone who had the stamina and drive to work out with the energy these people had.
“I know where that is. Look, are you sure about this?” As much as I wanted to jump at the chance, I hesitated. People like me weren’t seen out with people like her.
Where she was classy, I was mismatched. Fashion was a foreign concept. Every item of clothing I owned was bought to be practical.
An invitation to a place like that would require clothing other than my work suits or the sweatpants I wore at home.
Did I really want to splash out on a new outfit?
“I know this is completely out of the blue. You can blame Oscar. This was all his idea. Not that I didn’t want you to come. Fuck. This is all coming out wrong,” she blurted, her words rushed.
“I’ve got nothing to wear.”
“Oscar can help with that. If you’d like him to, of course. He’s a fashion designer and works as a personal stylist at one of the designer shops.”
“I can’t afford designer clothes! Not on my salary. This is probably a bad idea.” It was definitely a bad idea.
“It’s the best idea, Ellie Sharpe. I’ll call you every day until you agree.”
I smiled to myself. No one had ever begged for my attention. Did she really want me to go?
“Can I think about it?” I’d likely say no, but I didn’t want to commit to a decision right at this moment. One I might regret either way.
“You can think about it, but I will call you again tomorrow. You know, it’d be easier for you to say yes now.” The amusement in her voice was clear, and I pictured her smile.
My reasons for saying no had everything to do with my insecurities and nothing to do with the truly exquisite beauty that was Naomi Reeves.
“Well then, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I twirled a stray strand of hair, my heart ridiculously happy that she was calling again. Maybe I should have said yes.
“Until then, Ellie Sharpe. Enjoy your day.”
Before I could say goodbye, the line went dead. I looked at the phone in my hand. Whatin God’s name had just happened?
I bit my lip and smiled. Someone liked me. Not just someone, but Naomi.
I still couldn’t quite believe it, and when I sat at my desk and gazed at the screen in front of me, I saw nothing.
“You look like the cat that got the cream. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile like that.”
Josh plonked himself on the edge of my desk and handed me a coffee. Black with no sugar.
“That’s bollocks. I do smile.” But I knew I didn’t often.
I took a sip of the bitter liquid and grimaced. Who thought it was a good idea to cut sugar out of my diet?
That would be me in an effort to try to control my weight.
“Not like that, you don’t. Spill the tea. Come on. I have a boring life.”
