He sniffed and frowned. “They do the same thing when they come through the front. But it’s right there, Brooke, right in front of me.”
“What is right in front of you?” I looked back toward the glass and noticed the hunk had moved on.
“Man heaven,” Eduardo sighed dreamily. “Big . . . hard . . . cocks . . . just walking—walking past us all day long. Ay, Dios mío!” He fanned his face with both hands flapping.
I lost it and had to either laugh out loud or explode. “Probably not so hard as you imagine if they are walking. I think it would be quite painful to walk around with a stiff cock all day.”
“You have a point there, condesa, and please say stiff cock for me again in your pretty accent.”
“No, I will not say it again, and you can stop being cheeky with me.”
Eduardo knew I wasn’t annoyed. It was a game we played for fun. Jon and Carlisle, the owners, didn’t give a toss, either. It was part and parcel of working with three gay men who were interior designers. It came with the territory, and the setup worked for me just fine.
“MARTIN, I’ve already explained why I cannot do it. I do not live in Boston. I have no place to stay overnight nor do I have clothes to wear tomorrow. If you want me to work for you, then you will have to give me at least twenty-four hours’ notice next time.”
Seriously, the man was dense. What did he not understand about the situation? More likely he just didn’t care.
“Why can’t you stay the night with your friend?” Martin suggested.
“Zoe is away, and even if she was here, there’s still the matter of clothes.” I wanted to smack him.
Eduardo, who had the habit of listening in on all conversations in the office if he was at all able, spoke up. “You can stay with me if you need a place to go tonight.” Too bad he said it rather loudly.
“I heard that,” Martin informed me. “So it’s settled, then?”
I stayed quiet and glared at Eduardo. He would get payback in a minute.
“Brooke?”
“Yes, Martin?”
“So I’ll see you at six. I’ll text the address when we hang up.”
“Wait. I don’t have my black-and-whites with me.”
“What are you wearing right now?”
If Martin were in my line of sight, he would be writhing in pain from my death stare. “I have on a chartreuse-and-emerald-green blouse with a black skirt and over-the-knee boots. Totally inappropriate for serving. I can’t do it as I’ve said.”
“So you go buy a white blouse on your lunch hour and wear the boots. It’s some sort of corporate celebration and most of the guests will be men. I’m sure they’ll appreciate the boots over your beautiful long legs.”
Ewwww. What a grotty little arsehole. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just make a sexually suggestive comment about my performance on a job and move along to payment, shall we, Martin?” Serving in heeled boots wasn’t going to be easy, plus I’d be out the cost of a new shirt as well. If Martin didn’t like it, then he could fuck on off.
Eduardo giggled and gave me two thumbs up.
“Double time, Brooke, just be there.”
As much as I wanted to decline, the extra money would be helpful right now. “Fine, I’ll do it, but Martin, if you want me in future—give me some notice so I can make arrangements for the night.” If there would even be a next time. Maybe a job search was a good idea.
After I ended the call, I pointed a finger at Eduardo and gave him only a slightly less violent version of my death stare. “You are in trouble in case you didn’t realize. You are to go tell the bosses we are leaving to shop for a blouse for me and will return with their lunch. And you get to pay for mine today.” I then smiled sweetly before getting up from the desk to put on my coat.
“Yes, my condesa,” Eduardo sang before bolting up to the second floor to get Jon and Carlisle’s lunch order.
While he was busy upstairs, I needed to let Nan know I wouldn’t be over to see her tonight. She would get a kick out of me having a sleepover at Eduardo’s place, though. I tried to see her every evening for a short visit and didn’t want her wondering where I was when I didn’t show. My call went through to the front desk, which wasn’t a surprise. Nan rarely stayed in her room, especially when there were activities going on.
“Blackstone Therapy Center, Lilah speaking. How may I assist you?”
“Hi Lilah, this is Brooke calling.”
“Your grandma is in a painting class right now, working on a seascape.”
“Ah, sounds lovely and I can’t wait to see it. Can you please let her know I’m working for Martin tonight? She will understand, and tell her I’ll visit tomorrow as usual.”
“Sure thing, Brooke, and thanks for letting us know so she doesn’t worry, because she would you know.”