sorry to hear about your grandfather.”
“Thanks.” She exhales softly. “I heard you helped Mac get transferred to Scotland when granddad was sick.”
I shrug. “That’s sort of my job.”
“But it wasn’t your job to put a buy-back clause in his contract so he could come back to his team here in Bethnal Green eventually, was it?” Her eyes narrow on me in challenge, and my body reacts instinctually to that familiar look.
I clear my throat. “I knew Mac was acting emotionally, and I just wanted him to have options when he was ready.”
She gets a tender look in her eyes. “That was really kind of you.”
“It’s just my job.”
She blinks back at me curiously with a twitch to her nose. “I wouldn’t have expected you to do something like that five years ago.”
I pin Tilly with a look. “I told you on Friday…you’re not the only one who’s changed.”
We both go quiet for a moment as we finally absorb what each other has said. Honestly, this is what I wanted to achieve on Friday night. Just simple respect and consideration that life has not stood still since she’s been away. It’s important to me she knows that…even though I’m not exactly sure why yet.
The mood is fizzled when Tilly suddenly states, “God, I’m awful. Moaning on about things of the past when I swore I wouldn’t. And you have a proper job to get back to, so we really should get down to business.”
She digs into her bag to retrieve a manila envelope and slides it across the table. I do my best to focus on the papers in front of me as Tilly narrates the issues she’s flagged with tabs in the contract. I don’t have a lot of experience in retail contracts, but I’ve done enough endorsement deals for our players and various name brands to see what Harrods is trying to get away with.
“There are definitely some rights in here that Freya will want to keep hold of, and it looks as though they are trying to claim them with their tricky wording. It’s good you were dubious of this because I’d definitely make some revisions to this contract.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to get them to do over the past few weeks,” she says, her eyes severe as she looks down at the contract. “I tell them the terms I want amended, and they come back with a new contract that still doesn’t get everything quite right. It’s maddening.”
“I could draw up a new contract for you if you like. I mean, they’re the ones buying Freya’s product, so the contract really should come from her camp with her terms.”
“Would you be able to do that?” Tilly asks, chewing her plump lower lip nervously. “I’m meeting with them on Friday is the only problem. That doesn’t give you much time.”
“It’s no problem. I can get it done before then.”
“Sonny, that would be brilliant.” She pauses, and a nervous flush fills her cheeks. “I mean…Santino.”
“It’s fine,” I reply with a wave of my hand. “And I’ll even come along to the meeting with you. I am not saying this to sound arrogant or act like I don’t think you can handle it, but any business that comes to a meeting with a lawyer present adds a level of credibility, so maybe they’ll quit fucking you about.”
Her lips thin, but she nods. “I hate to say it, but I’m sure you’re right.”
“Why don’t we plan to meet again on Wednesday to go over the revisions and make sure they’re right before I print the final copy for Friday?”
“That would be great.”
I close the envelope and press my hand over it. “We can do dinner so that you don’t have to leave Freya home alone again.”
“Dinner?” Her eyes widen. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“You said you wanted to see a bit more of this side of town, right?”
“Aye.”
“Well, I know a great Indian spot that is truly a legend around here. People even come from the pompous west side to enjoy it.”
She levels me with a glare. “Very funny.”
I lean across the table, invading some of her personal space to whisper loudly, “I’m not trying to be funny.”
She backs up to press firmly into her chair as she processes my request more seriously. “I just don’t think dinner is a good idea, Santino.”
“Why not?” I ask, unrelenting.
“You know why.” Her eyes spark with something resembling attraction, which only inspires me more.
I eye her warily. “I know you have been in