by L.H. Cosway
“David, I’d like you to meet my good friend, Elodie.”
His gaze found mine as he slid a tie around his neck, warmth in his eyes like he already knew me. It was odd. “Oh yes, Elodie, Julian told me about you.”
He did?
What was there to tell about a fifteen second, fumbling introduction?
“It’s a p-pleasure to meet you,” I said and shook his hand, just as one of Suze’s assistants scurried over.
“Mrs. Lee, you’re needed by the stage. The show starts in five minutes.”
“So soon!” she exclaimed, then looked to me. “I can’t believe this is finally happening. Come find me after, won’t you?”
“Of course, and good luck,” I replied as she rushed off.
David cleared his throat and I brought my attention back to him. Again, the knowledge in his gaze flustered me. “Elodie, could you do me a favour and straighten this tie? I can’t seem to get it right.”
My throat dried. “Sure.”
I reached out and quietly fixed his tie—something I’d done countless times for my brothers—only now I was a lot more nervous. David’s focus seared me.
“Have we met before?” I asked, not meeting his gaze. The intense way he studied me was off-putting.
“No, but don’t worry, a lot of people ask me that. I’ve got one of those faces,” he replied, like there was some inside joke I wasn’t aware of.
“That’s not it,” I mumbled.
“No?”
“There you go. Straight as a whistle,” I said.
His brow furrowed at my odd turn of phrase. “That’s not the saying.”
I was already moving away. “A whistle is straight, isn’t it? Anyway, it was great to meet you, but I better go find my seat. Break a leg out there,” I rambled and left before he could say anything else. I had that panicked, spiders crawling down the spine feeling of everyone being on to me. For a moment, I felt like the word ‘fraud’ was stamped across my forehead, but then I found my seat and managed to take several calming breaths.
David didn’t know anything. I was being paranoid.
After a minute or two, the lights dimmed, and music started up. I got lost in the show, marvelling at how Suze managed to design such stunning outfits for both men and women. Her style was colourful and quirky, but somehow chic at the same time.
When Julian walked out, wearing a pastel shirt and funky print slacks, my jaw dropped. He really was stunning, and I wondered what he did for a living. I remembered him declining Suze’s offer at first, so he couldn’t have been an actual model, though he certainly had the looks for it.
The next time he walked out, he wore a long, tailored wool coat. As he neared the end of the catwalk, he removed the coat to show off the outfit underneath; a fitted jumper and stylish trousers. He also wore brown leather shoes with no socks. I noticed this was a real trend lately, but I wasn’t a fan. It just made me think of how sweaty your bare feet would be against the leather.
Yuck.
At least there was one part of him that wasn’t perfect. It helped break the spell his beauty cast over me.
I startled when I lifted my gaze and he was looking right at me. Our eyes locked and held for a split second before he turned around and another model took his place.
For the rest of the show, I had tingles.
Who was this guy? And why did I find him so intriguing/scary/mesmerising?
When it was over, Suze walked out to meet her audience and I stood to give her a round of applause. Her husband, Kenneth, who I’d only ever seen in photographs, came and handed her a huge bouquet of flowers.
I made my way backstage and found her swarmed by people congratulating and showering her with praise. I hung back to wait until she was done, swiping a glass of champagne from a table of refreshments.
“So, what did you think?” came a voice from over my shoulder.
I turned, and Julian Fairchild stood a mere foot away. He’d changed back into his own clothes, which, no offence to Suze, suited him much better. His dark grey shirt highlighted the colour of his hazel eyes, while his slacks hugged his hips perfectly. He wasn’t overly muscular. In fact, there was something about him that was quite feminine. He reminded me of Louis from the Anne Rice vampire novels. Well, a modern version at least.
He had a sexy, masculine aura, but he was too beautiful to be described as manly.
Androgynous was the word.
I swallowed a gulp of champagne for courage, then replied, “I’m no fashion expert, but I thought you all looked great.”
Julian moved closer until we stood shoulder to shoulder. “I hope I lived up to Suzanna’s expectations. I’ve never done a catwalk before.”
“You seemed fine to me,” I said, my voice neutral. I couldn’t seem to muster any warmth or flirtation, such was his effect on me.
I wasn’t looking at him, instead keeping my eyes trained on Suze and her bevvy of admirers, but I could hear the humour in his tone when he replied, “Just fine? You really know how to boost a man’s confidence.”
I flicked my eyes to him briefly, words coming out before I could think to censor them. “Surely, your confidence doesn’t need boosting.”
“It does when the lady I’m trying to chat up is as disinterested as you are,” he said with a wry smile.
I frowned. He was trying to chat me up? Me? I almost forgot I was Elodie tonight, not Ellen. Of course, he was trying to chat me up. My dress left very little to the imagination.
Okay, this was my chance to flirt with a real live human. Don’t screw it up, Ellen.
I mean, Elodie.
Damn, this was confusing.
I mustered a smile in return, a real one. “Who says I’m disinterested?”
Julian’s laugh was just as attractive as the rest of him. “Oh, you’re not?”
“I asked my question first.” I tried to keep my voice sweet and flirtatious, lighthearted. That’s what Elodie would do.
He pursed his lips, considering me. I hoped my layers of makeup kept my rosy cheeks from view. “Hmm, your body language for a start. It screams ‘leave me alone’. Then there’s your tone of voice, your facial expressions. They all tell a story.”
The way he spoke intrigued me. There was something different about him, something unlike most men. I’d grown up with two brothers and a widowed father, so I knew what I was talking about. Julian paid a lot more attention than the average male.
When I lived at home, I could’ve walked into a room with blue hair and green skin and my brothers wouldn’t have batted an eyelid.
“Am I so transparent?” I asked, because I wanted to hear more. He ensnared me.
Julian’s gaze wandered from the top of my forehead, lingering on my eyes and nose, then my mouth. “I wouldn’t say that.”
Heat filled me from the way he took me in so completely. This man. This stranger. He was unlike anyone I’d ever met.
Or maybe it was all down to Elodie. She attracted men in a way the real me never could. Sure, I could stand to wear more makeup, dress a little sexier, but there was something about a disguise that felt so freeing.
“Elodie! There you are!” Suze approached arm in arm with her husband, smiling widely. “I wanted to introduce you to my Kenneth. I can’t believe you two haven’t met yet.”
I felt Julian’s keen attention as I stepped forward and shook hands with Kenneth. “It’s great to meet you.”
“You too,” he replied. “Suze has told me so much about you, and I see she wasn’t lying. You’re just as gorgeous as she described.”
“Oh, I like you already,” I chirped, going into full Elodie mode. Usually, I was a pro at becoming her, but Julian somehow managed to break past the mask. He was a chink in my armour.
“We’re having a few people back to our place, if you’d like to come,” Suze went on then glanced at Julian. A small smirk graced her lips as she took in the two of us. I knew what she was thinking. Typical Elodie snagging the most attractive man in the ro
om. She had no idea how befuddled I was on the inside. “You and David are welcome to join us, too, Julian.”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” he replied graciously.
“Great. Well, we’ll grab a couple of cabs in a little while, but for now, enjoy the champers,” Suze winked as she and Kenneth went to do the rest of their rounds.
A moment of silence fell between Julian and me. I took a sip and looked around the room, at a loss for what to say.
“You’ve never met her husband before?” he asked curiously.
“No, this is the first time.”
“How long have you two been friends?”
I shrugged and wondered why he was asking so many questions. “A couple of months.”
“That’s surprising.”
“It is?”
“You seem like you’ve known each other all your lives.”
“When we met it was like kismet, we just clicked,” I replied.
His friend, David, approached. He too had changed back into his own clothes; a wool jumper with a collared shirt underneath, jeans and black-rimmed glasses. He seemed a lot more approachable now, like your friend’s hot dad, or an attractive college professor.
“I see you two are getting acquainted,” he said, eyeing Julian a moment before his attention fell on me. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you earlier for fixing my tie. You rushed off so suddenly.”
“Oh well, a lady has places to be,” I replied sweetly. It was a lot easier to act as Elodie now that he was dressed down.
David smiled. “I’m sure she does. Are you going to the after party?”
“I am if you are.”
His smile grew wider, a twinkle in his eye. “Well, now I have to go.”
I gave a flirty laugh and Julian cleared his throat. “Looks like we’re all going then.” His tone showed a hint of irritation. Was he jealous? My inner Elodie preened at being pursued by two men at once.
Unfortunately, all that changed when two of Suze’s female models shared a cab with us. They were stylish and beautiful, and I was disappointed that they’d drawn David’s attention. It wasn’t that I fancied him more than Julian. He was just easier to talk to. This was my first proper foray in the world as Elodie, and David was perfect for Beginner’s Level flirting. Julian was Big Boss Level and I definitely wasn’t ready for that yet.
“Nice part of town,” he commented, his voice husky in my ear as we drew up to Suze’s building. He sat right next to me, his citrusy cologne invading my senses.
“Kenneth runs Cabello’s in Soho. It’s a Michelin star restaurant,” I replied.
“Oh, really? I ate there once. Hard place to get a reservation.”
I nodded. “That’s why he earns the big bucks.”
“And do you live close by?”
I shook my head. “My place is just down the street from the Polka Dot.” Why had I answered honestly? It was incredibly difficult to lie to this man. Staying in character was impossible, which again was why I wished David wasn’t so preoccupied with Suze’s models.
We left the cab and headed inside the fancy apartment complex. Julian didn’t let up on his questioning.
“What a coincidence. I live near there, too. I can’t believe we’ve never run into one another before. I haven’t seen you around the area.”
“I work a lot,” I replied stiffly.
“Oh? What do you do?”
“Finance. I’m an accountant.” The lie sat heavy on my tongue.
“Impressive. So, you must have a good head for numbers.”
“You could say that. What do you do?” I queried, turning the tables on him before he asked more questions I couldn’t answer.
He eyed me, seeming hesitant, then replied, “I’m in hospitality.”
I wanted to ask specifics, but a moment later we were inside Suze’s apartment. Erasure’s “A Little Respect” blared from the expensive sound system. The place was modern and spacious, the décor pared back with a few nods to Suze’s quirky style here and there. She came at us, eyes shining with merriment, as she gave me yet another hug.
“Welcome to my humble abode, drinks are in the kitchen. Make yourselves comfortable.” She glanced at David, pursing her lips drunkenly. “Do you know what? I feel like I know you from somewhere. It’s been bugging me all night.”
David gave her a charming smile. “I get that a lot. I just have one of those faces.”
It was the same thing he’d said to me earlier in the evening, and it made me curious.
“Oh, don’t listen to him. He’s being modest,” Julian chided. “David was a heartthrob in his day. Ever heard the song “Naughty”?”
Suze’s eyes widened, as did mine. He hadn’t looked familiar to me, but maybe I just wasn’t looking properly. Now I could see it clear as day. David Jonathan. I’d seen enough TV shows and documentaries about the music industry in the eighties to know it was him.
“Oh, my goodness! I can’t believe I didn’t realise,” Suze exclaimed. “How does the song go again? I want your mind…” She trailed off, trying to remember the lyrics.
Julian was quick to remind her. “And I want your body. Come on, babe, let’s do it naughty. A classic for the ages,” he teased. David gave an exasperated sigh.
“How you enjoy torturing me.”
“But it’s a great song. You should be proud. You’re up there with likes of Boy George and George Michael,” Suze enthused.
“A pity you didn’t pick David George as your stage name,” Julian continued to tease. “They could’ve called you The Three Georges.”
“That’s a regret I’ll just have to live with,” David deadpanned.
“Do you know what? I think I might have your song on my karaoke machine,” Suze exclaimed. “You should sing it for us!”
“I think I’ll have to very respectfully decline,” David said politely. He looked like he’d rather eat the legs off a spider than serenade us with his classic hit.
“Oh, come on. How long’s it been since you performed?” Julian cajoled.
David narrowed his gaze at his friend. “Not long enough.” His lack of enthusiasm didn’t put Suze off though, because she grabbed his arm and led him further into the apartment. I kind of felt bad for the guy, but at least this was a private setting.
Well, so long as no one recorded it on their phones, which, okay, was highly unlikely.
I went into the kitchen to grab a drink. To my delight, there was a whole selection of wines and spirits set out on the island, including two trays of tasty looking finger foods. I helped myself to a tiny pastry with onion chutney, and a cracker with cheese and salami, chomping away before I realised I had company. Julian grabbed a bottle of red wine and a glass.
Had he been here the whole time?
A tinge of embarrassment pinched me as I swallowed the final bite.
“Care for a glass?” Julian offered, his eyes warm with affection. It still felt surreal that this perfect specimen was showing me so much interest.
“Yes, thank you.”
He poured the wine for me while outside I heard the intro to David’s song start up. “You’re cruel to your friend.”
Julian’s mouth twitched. “I prefer to think of it as good-natured ribbing.”
“You do realise videos of him singing his own song on karaoke are going be on YouTube by the morning, right?”
“We all require a little something to keep us humble. No fifty-one-year-old man deserves to look as good as he does. Believe me, he needs to be brought back down to earth every once in a while,” Julian replied, mouth lifting at one end.
“And what if it backfires? The video could go viral and start a revival of his music.” I countered. “Just look how it happened for Craig David.”
Julian grinned and handed me the glass. “Ah, now that would be poetic.”
I took a sip of wine, absently noting that he hadn’t poured any for himself, and moved to walk by him. “I guess we should go out and witness his humiliation.”
He caught me softly by the elbow. “Stay and talk with me.”
I looked up into his eyes. “Why?”
He moved a tiny bit closer, holding my gaze with his hand still at my elbow. I was hyperaware of the contact, since it was the first time a man had touched me in who knew how long.
His reply was confident. “Because I find you incredibly sexy and interesting, and I’d very much like to get to know you better.”
I inhaled deeply. He was so…straight forward. I’d never been hit on like this before. And yes, okay, I could count the number of times I’d been flirted with on one hand, but still. There was something about Julian that drew me in.
He had stories behind those eyes.
I slowly moved away from him and sat down on a stool. “Well then, what would you like to talk about?”
Julian grabbed a bottle of water from the countertop, twisted open the lid and took a sip. “Where did you grow up?”
“In Devon.”
His brows rose. “I didn’t peg you for a country girl.”
“Seaside town, actually. I’ve been living in London for the last six years. I like to think all signs of my humble upbringing have been erased by now.”
“There’s no shame in humble beginnings. Some of the most incredible people in the world started with nothing.”
“Well, I didn’t exactly start with nothing. I had a normal middle-class childhood, no deprivation or anything quite so dramatic,” I replied. I couldn’t believe I was answering all of his questions honestly. With Suze, I made most things up. But Julian might as well have the lasso of truth wrapped around my neck.
“And did you have any brothers or sisters?”
“Two brothers. They’re twins.”
“Older or younger?”
“Older in age, younger in maturity.”
Julian gave a soft chuckle and I inwardly delighted at making him laugh. “How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I don’t mind. I turn thirty in a couple of months.”
“That’s a big birthday. Got anything special planned?”
I leaned forward and rested my elbows on the countertop. “I’ve been thinking of taking a trip to Italy, doing some vineyard tours, taking in the history.”
“Sounds a treat.”