“Go on. I’m still here…”
“Fine. You want Saturdays off, you can have that. I’ll have to look around for a replacement for you.”
“Vision is doing just fine as it is, Paul. I don’t know why you’re so worked up about this. You’re always complaining that we barely have anyone in through the week, so now is your chance to try something different. Think of all the clients who are only in town Monday to Friday. You’ve had a few of them ask why Vision is so quiet throughout the week. So now, it doesn’t have to be. Sort out some marketing, I’ll work on my social media posts, and we’ll go from there.”
“I thought I’d lost you for good, kid.”
“Well, you almost did. You know I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities you’ve given me, Paul, and you know I’ll always bend over backwards to help you out where and when I can. But for the first time in a long time…I’m happy. I refuse to give that up just because you want to play it by theso-calledbook. I’ve never been unprofessional at the club, and I never will be. Faye means the world to me, Paul, and I need you to allow me time to figure all of this out. I’m not losing her because of you or any career. Not in this lifetime.”
“About Jensen…”
Talia rolled her eyes. “I’m not interested in Jensen. She can do as she pleases so long as she stays away from me.”
“Faye. Well, she wanted to put in a formal complaint. Does your…partner still want to go ahead with that?”
Talia’s brows rose with surprise. Faye hadn’t released that little snippet of information to her. Had she called Paul and demanded Jensen be let go from the club? It didn’t feel like something her girlfriend would do, but who knew what Faye was capable of when provoked? “I’ve no idea. I’ll mention it and see what she says.”
“I mean, in an ideal world, this would all blow over, you know?”
Talia laughed. “What you’re saying is that you want me to ask her to drop the complaint?”
“No, not at all.” Paul’s voice betrayed him; Talia heard the slight panic. “It’s just that we have enough to deal with without client complaints.”
“Faye isn’t a client.” And that was the absolute truth. Talia loved the club—adored dancing—but she didn’t want to think of her girlfriend as a client. Faye was Faye. The centre of her universe. “But I’ll speak to her.”
“Thanks, Tal.”
“Now, I’m going back to my life for a few more days before you overwork me again.”
“Ha! That’ll be the day. You’re the only one here who doesn’t need a kick up the arse. Why do you think I’m grovelling to you?”
“Because I’m the best in Europe?”
Paul barked a laugh. “Right on the money. I’ll let you go. Enjoy your last few days off before you’re back to work.”
“Yes, sir!”
“And Talia?”
Talia smiled when the bedroom door opened. Faye leant against the frame wearing nothing but a robe, that golden hair pulled up into a ponytail. “Yeah?”
“I’m happy for you and your girl.”
Paul ended the call, leaving Talia with the perfect opportunity to watch Faye. She always looked so good in the morning. Kind of like nothing had ruined her day, so she just shone. “Hi.” Talia croaked out, that familiar sense of happiness sitting in her chest as she lowered her phone from her ear. “You’re up early.”
“And you’re up late.” Faye grinned as she stalked towards Talia, shedding her robe when she reached the bed. “Can I snuggle with you before I really do have to get showered and ready?”
“How is that even a question?” Talia flung back the covers, the cool air prickling her exposed skin. “You’d better be warm. None of that cold feet malarky.” Talia grinned when Faye climbed in beside her, their bodies moulding into one immediately. “Okay, you’re definitely warm and snuggly this morning.”
Faye got comfortable, looking up at Talia. “You were on a call…”
“I was. Paul was grovelling.”
“Please tell me you decided to go back to the club.” The desperation in Faye’s eyes was new for Talia. She’d spent so long listening to women beg her to leave, so hearing the opposite was kind of throwing her off balance. “Talia, that place is your life.”
“Wrong.” Talia kissed the tip of Faye’s nose. “Itwasmy life. But now you’re in it, you’ve kinda taken over number one spot.”
“I have?” Faye beamed a smile, her arms wrapping tight around Talia. “But your job…”