I stop halfway around the gallery landing, leaning on the balustrade. She’s halfway up the stairs, looking indignant. I smile. “What is it with your incessant need to know the ins and outs of a cat’s arsehole?”

She recoils, her indignation growing. “Fuck off,” she spits, turning and marching down the stairs. “Have a nice day.”

“Oh, I will,” I murmur, heading for my suite, arranging flowers for Ava and her work friend on my way.

23

I try to lose myself in some work. Try being the operative word. I’m absolutely itching to break free of The Manor by two o’clock, my eyes constantly dropping to my wrist to check the time. Has a day ever passed by so slowly? I’m restless. Impatient.

I stare at the spreadsheet detailing the next delivery of toys, one line blurring into the next. All I can see is lace. “Fuck it.” I slam my laptop shut. My head’s not in it. Grabbing my phone and keys, I head out, meeting Sam on the driveway. My mate always has a certain spring in his step, but today it’s particularly . . . springy.

“My man,” he sings, giving me a playful slap of my shoulder.

“What’s going on with you and Kate?” I ask. He was with her Saturday night, Sunday, Monday, and yesterday. It’s unheard of. Unless, of course, he’s lost in one of the rooms of The Manor.

He shrugs it off like it’s nothing, when I know it is anything but. “Where are you going?”

“Don’t change the subject. What’s going on with you and Kate? And don’t tell me she’s cool.”

“She’s cool,” he says over a laugh, and I roll my eyes, jumping in my car.

I leave the door open and start her up. “If she’s so cool, what are you doing here?”

“Lunch.”

“What?”

“I’m meeting Drew for lunch. Did you know he’s got a date with Ava’s work friend? What’s her name?” He looks to the sky. “Victoria.”

I laugh, grabbing the handle of my door. “Drew doesn’t date.”

“I’m telling you. A date. I got it from the horse’s mouth.”

I still, my door halfway closed. I don’t like this. All of my mates are getting way too close to all of Ava’s friends. Which means it’s more likely someone will drop something they shouldn’t, therefore drop me in the shit with Ava.

“Seriously, dude. When are you going to tell Ava about this place?” he asks, motioning to The Manor.

“She knows about this place,” I mutter, slamming my door. Sam’s up against the glass in a second, his usually cheerful face cut with impatience. I sigh and let the window down. “Maybe tonight. I’m taking her for dinner.”

“Good.”

“What’s it to you, anyway?”