out there, from fast-food kitchens to cleaning toilets, so I know all about hard graft. A lot more than some pampered celebrity’s assistant, that’s for sure.” I reached out and grabbed both his hands, turning them palm up.
“What are you doing?” Neil questioned, bristling at my touch.
“Just as I expected. Soft as a baby’s bottom,” I declared. “You haven’t done a day of manual labour in your life.”
Neil yanked his hands from my hold, something hardening behind his eyes. “Do you know what? I think I can handle things from here. You should go.”
“I’m not going anywhere. You offended me, and clearly, I just offended you, so now we’re even. How about a truce?”
I held out my hand, and his lips formed that straight line again. I was learning this meant he was aggravated. Then, after a few more seconds of consideration, something in his expression softened, and he emitted a heavy sigh.
“Fine. Let’s just stay out of each other’s way.” He shook my hand, and I was briefly aware of his warm palm on mine before he let go and started to lay out the food. I quietly helped. For the next two hours, we worked mostly in silence. He only talked to me when he needed to tell me what to do, and before long, the place was all set up for the event.
It was just an hour before guests would be arriving. I sat down in the middle of the empty theatre and took a selfie, posting it to my social media with the caption, Have the whole place to myself. Isn’t life grand!
I was just slotting my phone back into my pocket when Neil appeared. He carried two small paper plates on which he’d placed a selection of finger foods. He handed one plate to me and kept the other for himself. Was this his version of an olive branch?
“See? I’m not a total slave driver,” he said grudgingly, and I couldn’t help the way my lips twitched. I wanted to smile but held it back. He might be a bit too buttoned-up, but Neil was a decent sort. At the very least, he worked hard and took pride in his job. I’d observed that today, despite my comments about his soft hands.
He surprised me when he took the seat next to mine, and we ate in companionable silence. After a few minutes, his phone buzzed, and he put his plate down to pull it out.
Being the nosy person that I was, I read it over his shoulder. It was that Annabelle lady again. It looked like they were chatting through a messenger app.
Annabelle: I wish I could be at the screening tonight. I’d love to finally meet!
I pretended to focus on eating a small cracker with hummus while I watched Neil type a quick reply out the corner of my eye.
Callum: I wish you could be here, too. We’ll meet one day. I’m sure of it.
Wait a second … Callum?! What the hell? Callum Davidson was one of the stars of Running on Air. He was also Neil’s boss. Why was Neil messaging some girl and pretending to be him? I didn’t breathe a word, but when Neil went to put his phone back in his pocket and his eyes met mine, the colour drained from his face.
He knew I’d seen.
I slowly raised an eyebrow as my mouth curved into a smile. I’d been right about him. Strait-laced Neil had a whole lot more going on under his professional exterior.
“I can explain,” he said.
I couldn’t hide the mirth in my voice. “Please do.”
I watched as he sat forward and dropped his head into his hands, swearing profusely under his breath. Oh, shit. This was serious. My smile dropped. Neil was stressed out, and I suddenly felt bad for him. What had he gotten himself into?
I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. I won’t tell anyone. Your secret’s safe with me.” A short silence fell before I asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”
He sat back and cast me a troubled look as he shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand.”
I kicked my feet up on the chair in front of me. “Try me.”
Another silence fell. He blew out a breath. “Jesus Christ. I can’t believe I’m considering telling you of all people. I must really be going mad.”
I tried not to be offended by the you of all people or the going mad bit of what he just said.