Chapter 4
FELIX
“You’re a fucking idiot!” said Laura.
Felix groaned, banging his head on the table.
Was she right? Had he just turned down the opportunity to get fucked by one of the hottest guys in the world?
He couldn’t think like that. Felix wasn’t some piece of meat to be chewed up and spat out once all his flavor had been savored.
Okay, he needed a better metaphor, but his point was still valid.
Ryder Quinn was a first-class fuckboy, and this project was too important to him.
Now, because of his soap-opera reaction, he’d probably not only lost Ryder from the project, but his friends as well.
“You could have just politely declined and said you’d like to keep things professional, although I don’t know why. The things I would let that man do to me.”
“Laura!”
“What? I’m a lesbian, not dead.”
Felix couldn’t help but laugh. She pulled a large piece of his cupcake off and started eating it. He scowled at her.
“What? The cupcakes are good here, and you’re just picking at it feeling sorry for yourself.”
“I’m not feeling sorry for myself. He shouldn’t have just assumed he could kiss me.”
Laura laughed out loud.
“What’s so funny?”
“I wasn’t there, but I suspect you were giving off pretty big ‘come hither’ signals.”
“Come hither?”
“Yes, you know, the wide eyes, visible swallow, licking the lips, boner in your trousers . . .”
He blushed and grabbed his coffee cup to cover himself, but it was empty, which just made her chuckle more.
“Look, honey . . . do you want him to still support the project or give you a good pounding?”
Both!
“I see. Both it is, then.”
Felix hated how well she could read him sometimes, but in the cold light of day and after a night of tossing and turning, he regretted his actions.
He could have handled it better. If they’d just met in a bar and Ryder had propositioned him, there was a high probability Felix would have said yes.
But his project was the priority, and Ryder was a fuck and chuck guy.
How awkward could things be? And Felix had enjoyed talking to him.
There was a lot more to Ryder Quinn than what he projected on social media.
If anything, Felix would rather have him as a friend than just some guy he’d fucked one time.
None of that would be possible now after how he’d reacted, though.
Ryder hadn’t reached out to him afterwards, and Felix hadn’t done so either.
It was too late now, and he’d just need to move forward with his project.
It was less than six months before the exhibition.
He needed to get people signed up pronto. Felix looked at Laura.
“I’ve already said no,” she said in her serious tone, which told Felix it was not up for negotiation.
“How do you do that? Know what I’m going to say before I say it?”
“It’s our friendship. I know you better than anyone.”
“Why can’t I do that with you, then?”
“You’re not very good at reading people.”
“Excuse me? I can read people.”
“Okay then. What was Ryder thinking about when you slapped him?”
“How would I know? I ran out before he could respond.”
“What?” she shrieked.
This got them looks from the other patrons in the coffee shop, which immediately made Felix want to crawl under the table and die.
He hated being the center of attention. He’d also failed to mention that part to Laura.
Felix hadn’t outright lied, just said he’d slapped Ryder and made his feelings clear that he wasn’t interested.
Running out before he could respond counted as making his feelings clear, didn’t it?
“I was right,” she said.
“About what?”
“That you’re a fucking idiot.”
He wasn’t about to say it aloud, but he agreed with her.
The next day, he was doing a sweet sixteenth birthday party, which was not something he typically did, but he needed the money.
The mother had attended a wedding he’d photographed and called last minute, saying she wanted to surprise her little Sapphire with some professional photographs of the special day.
It was obvious they had booked someone who’d pulled out, which should have been his first red flag.
Mrs. Delaune was very specific about what she wanted.
Her daughter was not to be overshadowed by her friends, and profile photographs were to be on the right only, as that was her best side.
The list went on and on, which was the second red flag.
The party was being hosted at some vast house in the suburbs, which had its own pool, tennis court, and half a dozen cars on the drive with room for another ten.
Not that they’d be doing much outside at this time of year.
The home was decorated to perfection for the holidays.
They’d gone for a red and gold theme, which was different and gave the place a warm feeling.
Felix always saw a lot of white and silver whenever he photographed a party for someone who had a bit of money.
It was like a status symbol of having wealth.
Your decorations had to be uniform and uninspiring, yet obviously expensive.
Felix and Laura had decorated their tree with a multi-colored mishmash of everything.
This included ornaments they’d picked up over the years, creating their own memories.
Felix was ushered into the back kitchen, where he walked in on the caterer consoling two of his servers who were in tears.
He looked like he was at his wit’s end. By this third red flag, Felix had realized this would not be an easy gig.
His instinct told him to run, but he was being paid two grand for this last-minute booking, and she’d paid half upfront, which was his rule.
Early on, he’d been screwed over and not been paid, so now he took half upfront, and all photos were shared with watermarks.
It was only when he got the second half of the payment that he’d share the clean high-res images.
“Felix. Thank you for coming at such short notice,” said Mrs. Delaune, extending her hand.
It wasn’t held in a way for him to shake. Did she expect him to bow and kiss her hand? He took hold of it loosely and gave it an awkward squeeze, but she smiled at him, so he must have done something right.
“Let me introduce you to Sapphire. You can get some pictures of her on her own. Guests will start arriving in an hour. That will give you time to get familiar with the light in the rooms and the grounds.”
He smiled and nodded. Her tone was warmer than it had been on the phone. Perhaps this wouldn’t be such a bad gig after all.
This was the worst gig of his life!
Sapphire Delaune was an entitled brat who expected everyone to be at her beck and call, including her friends. The way she spoke to them was deplorable, but they just took it, fawning over her like she was a goddess or something.
“Felix. Here. Now.” Sapphire snapped her fingers. Felix wanted to break them.
“Yes, Miss Delaune.”
“I want you to take photographs of that man over there.”
She pointed, and Felix followed her gaze.
His jaw dropped. It was Mason Reid. Was Ryder here with him?
That would be mortifying. What would he say to him?
He might cause a scene. Even though this gig was painful and he just wanted it over with, he knew there were many people here who would hold similar soirees, and if he did a good job, it could lead to more work.
Three people had already asked for his card. Thankfully, he’d brought some with him.
“Do you see where I’m pointing?” she snapped.
“You want me to take pictures of Mason Reid?”
“How do you know his name?”
“He’s a famous chef.”
“He’s hardly Gordon Ramsey. I can’t believe someone like you has ever been to Epicure.”
“I’ve only been once, but it was just for a drink.”
That would put the little bitch in her place.
“Bullshit. They would not let someone like you in there.”
Felix hadn’t been inside for long, but from what Mason had said about his attire, and from what he could see, he knew it wasn’t a place that excluded people based on their social class.
Yes, the food cost a fortune, so that immediately ruled some people out, but Felix got the impression that if he could afford to eat there, then regardless of his background he’d be welcome.
“Like I said, it was only a drink. I didn’t speak to him much, and that was only because I was with one of his friends.”
“Who?”
Why had he said something? He could have just said he’d read an article that Mason was in, but then he knew the grumpy chef did little press. It was why he would have been such a coup for Felix’s project.
“Are you even listening to me? Who was this friend you were having a drink with at one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city, wearing your thrift store clothes?”
Her group of friends, the ones she was horrible to, all giggled together like they were robots. It was creepy and amusing at the same time. He couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s so funny?” she shouted.
This brought attention from others, including Mason, who did a double take when he saw Felix, before smiling and walking over. Could this day get any worse? Mrs. Delaune rushed over as well.
“What is all this shouting, Sapphire?”
“This amateur photographer you hired is saying he’s friends with Mason Reid.”
“I didn’t say I was friends with him. I said I’d met him once, that’s all.”
“Well, why don’t we ask him?” she said with an evil smile.
“Did I hear my name?” asked Mason. “Hello again, Felix.”
“Do you know this degenerate?”
“Sapphire!” her mother scolded.
“Yes, I know Felix. What seems to be the problem?”
“He says he’s been in your restaurant.”
“Yes, he has. Only for a drink, but he’ll be dining there soon. I’m helping him with a project.”