I let out a short laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. She drives me insane, and if you had convinced her to leave, you’d be doing me a favour.”
“Wynter,” Dale says suddenly, cutting me off. “We’re having a drink. Join us.”
I wince before turning to see her standing in the doorway. She’s changed now, but her hair is still damp from the shower. And her expression tells me she’s just heard every word I said.
“No, thanks,” she says quickly.
“Join us,” I say. My tone leaves no room for argument.
She hesitates, eyes flicking to mine. I cross to the drinks cabinet and take out another glass.
“What are you having?” I ask before she can run off back to the safety of her room.
“Anything,” she mumbles.
I hear her bare feet pad across the room, glancing back to see her getting comfy on the couch across from Dale.
I pour her a vodka and orange. Anika’s favourite.
“How did you end up in London?” Dale asks as I hand him a whisky.
“I had an apprenticeship at Millerstone Publishing,” Wynter says. She doesn’t look at me when I hand her the drink.
“Millerstone?” I repeat, frowning. I know the CEO there.
“It didn’t work out,” she says, speaking to Dale, not me.
“But you stayed anyway?” he asks.
She takes the glass carefully. “I’m not one to quit.”
The dig is subtle. Still, I hear it.
I say nothing and take a seat beside her, closer than I need to. Dale notices, and his expression shifts as he fights the urge to smirk.
Ridiculous.She’s an employee,nothing more.
“What do your parents think about you living here?” Dale asks.
“My dad was happy for me. He’s a big believer in me chasing my dreams,” she says.
“And your mum?”
I tense. “Boyfriend?” I cut in too quickly. The word is out before I can stop it, but I’m trying to save her having to tell him the truth about her mother.
Wynter blinks.
Dale smirks.
“I don’t have one,” she says quietly.
“You don’t have a boyfriend?” Dale repeats, sounding genuinely baffled.
Colour creeps into her cheeks. He groans dramatically, dropping his head back.
“You’re killing me here, Ray.”
His phone buzzes, and he glances at the screen and grins. “Got to go,” he says, pushing to his feet. “Booty call.”