Fauxmance (Showmance #2)(41)

Maybe I should just hire him.

The thought startled me. I couldn’t believe I was even considering it, but it made logical sense. Whatever he charged, I had more than enough money to pay him. And eventually, I did want to have a relationship, find a man and fall in love, get married, have babies.

Right now, Julian was the only man who made me feel comfortable. He was the only man I was attracted to. I was far too inexperienced to go out there and meet someone. I needed training wheels first before I could learn to cycle on my own.

Hell, even thinking about broaching the topic with him made me break out in hives.

But then, any time I’d been embarrassed around Julian, he’d never judged me. Never made me feel small.

These thoughts pitter-pattered around inside my brain all through the night and following morning. I’d just added two thousand words to my manuscript and was getting ready to take a break when my phone rang. It was Dad.

I picked up, my voice cheery. “Hi, Dad. How is everything?”

“Everything’s good down here. How are you? Nick and I have been hoping you’ll come visit soon.”

“I’m well. And I’m going to visit. I just need to finish this book I’m writing and then I’m coming to Torquay for a weekend. We can go have dinner at Lily’s, my treat.”

“I do love their steaks. Sounds like a plan. How did everything go with Cameron? He stayed with you last week, didn’t he?”

“He was fine. His usual self.”

Dad chuckled. “I wouldn’t describe Cam’s usual self as fine, but okay. I actually called because I have some big news.”

“You do?” I questioned, hoping it was good big news and not bad big news.

“Shayla and I are getting married. I popped the question last night and she said yes!”

My chest deflated. “You did? That’s great, Dad.” I tried to muster as much enthusiasm into my voice as I could. It wasn’t that I thought Shayla was a bad person, she just wasn’t my sort of person. And maybe I’d gotten so used to having Dad all to myself since I was a kid that I’d become selfish and possessive. He deserved a bit of happiness. Even if that happiness came in the form of Shayla.

“We’ve decided on a spring wedding, so make sure to keep the last week in April free.”

“Wow, that’s soon.”

“When you get to my age, you don’t have time to wait around,” said Dad.

“No, I guess you don’t. Congratulations.”

His voice gentled. “Thank you, sweetheart. Your blessing means a lot to me.”

I hadn’t exactly given him my blessing, but then, how could I refuse it? He was a sixty-one-year-old man. If he wanted to get married, then that was his decision.

Only a couple minutes after I hung up with Dad I got a text from Julian inviting me to a charity event the following night. It was the distraction I needed, and I responded right away that Elodie would be there.





*



The charity event was just as fancy as the birthday party at the Savoy. There was so much money in the air you could almost smell it. I often donated to charity, but I guess it took much deeper pockets and a certain type of ego to do it in such a public way.

“How were you even invited here? Are you secretly rich?” I asked Julian as we walked arm in arm about the room.

“I’m comfortable, but by no means rich. Besides,” he said and eyed me, “I’m not the one who owns an entire house in a fancy part of London. But to answer your question, I was invited by an ex-client. She’s the wife of a member of Parliament.”

I ignored his comment about my house because I’d already given him the Grandma story. Instead I asked, “Which member of Parliament?”

“That I can’t divulge. She’s no longer a client, but we’re still friends. She invites me to events like this from time to time. I think she imagines I’ll find high-profile clients by attending.”

“I have no doubt you would. I’ve already spotted several women cast their covetous gaze on you.”

“This is why I like you. You say stuff like ‘covetous gaze’. I thought I was the only one who indulged in wordiness.”

“I just…read a lot,” I said.

He smiled and gestured to a table of drinks. “Want one?”

“I think I’ve drank more champagne since I met you than I have in my entire life.”

His smile turned impish. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

He handed me a glass, his eyes sweeping the room. I wondered if he was searching for possible clients. I also wondered if he was seeing anyone at the moment. The thought made my chest burn. Then I thought of my crazy plan to hire him. I’d never have the balls to do it, but even imagining it gave me a thrill. I wanted to so badly.

A few moments of quiet passed before I spoke. “The painting in your bedroom, who’s the woman?”

He glanced at me. “What makes you think I know her?”

“I don’t…I just, there’s something about it that feels personal.”

Julian took a second to answer. “The woman in the picture is another ex-client of mine, actually.”

“Oh?” I was even more curious now.

His face turned thoughtful, like he was remembering. “It was a few years ago. Her name was Zara. When she first came to me, she was terrified of being naked with a man. I taught her that nakedness was nothing to be afraid of. When she finally conquered her fear, I asked an artist friend of mine to paint her. When it was complete, I offered it to her as a gift. She declined and instead requested that I hang it in my room. She felt liberated to know her naked form was out there in the world. Being admired by all the lovers who passed through my bed.”