Mr. Imperfect

chapter 59



Rori knew she would find Fredrik in the kitchen, making sure every platter looked perfect before it was allowed on the floor. He spotted her the moment she walked in and frowned.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, drawing closer. “The last place I should see you tonight is back here.”

“Everything’s perfect,” she said, pulling him to the side.

“And yet here you are,” he said, folding his arms. “Speak truth, honey. What’s wrong?”

She slid her hand into Fredrik’s and urged him closer. “I need a favor.”

“Name it, honey,” he said so only she could hear.

“Could you tell Mike that we no longer need his services this evening?”

She felt Fredrik freeze momentarily before his demeanor to his usual light manner. “You’re asking me send a beautiful man who is an absolute pleasure to work with to leave, Rori? You have to know that’s against my religion.”

“You’re not religious.”

He waved that off. “Honey, we’re all religious about something, and perfect male specimens are holy in my book.” He gave her puppy eyes. “You can’t ask me to do this. It’s like asking me to erase a rainbow out of the sky. Rainbows should be allowed to shine, and encouraged to stay as long as they like. One look into his Caribbean blue eyes and I’d fold. You want him gone, that’s on you. Sorry, girl. Even I have my limits.”

Great. Just great.

“Just enjoy yourself,” he said, giving her shoulders a light squeeze. “I’ve seen some of what he’s done so far. You’re going to love it, hon. If he lived here I would hire him full time. He’s a genius with editing.”

Rori had stalked him enough on Facebook to pick up on that much. “You’re right,” she lied. “I guess I was just stressing out.”

“It happens to all of us,” Fredrik said. “Now get out there and sell some art. Daddy needs a bonus.”

“Yes, sir,” Rori said, and headed back out into the war zone.