Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
GRIFF
When the time comes to leave the house on Monday morning, Phil’s a little less relaxed than he was yesterday. It checks out, what with the whole stalker situation on top of his usual anxiety, and he’s insistent that he wants to go to the showroom.
“Is it okay to bring Vivi?” I ask, struck by genius. “We don’t have to, but she comes to work with me sometimes, if I have a quiet day with no meetings, and she loves it.”
My explanation wasn’t necessary—he’s already calling her and heading to the utility room to get her carrier.
Every word was true, but it’s not why I want to bring her today.
She seemed to help him on Saturday, and since he has to leave the house, I’m in favor of making sure he has anything he might need to feel in control.
When we’re in the car, he says, “Thanks,” and I wonder if I went too far.
“I didn’t mean—”
“I know. You’ve been good about giving me space. This was a good idea, and I’m glad you suggested it.” He reaches over and lays his hand on top of mine. “Thank you.”
He directs me to the private parking for employees under the building, which takes a load off my mind.
I know intellectually that his stalker, this Mary woman, is unlikely to attack him on the street with me beside him, but I still feel a lot better using secure parking to get him into the building.
In the elevator, he sets down Vivi’s carrier, opens it, and lifts her into his arms. I bite back the need to ask if he’s okay. He’ll tell me if he’s not.
We step out onto Phallacy’s floor and are immediately accosted by a shout.
“Oh my god, Phil!” Kyle races out from behind the reception desk. “I can’t believe your rude fan is a stalker.” He stops short, and I get the feeling he wants to hug Phil but is deterred by Vivi’s presence.
My boyfriend clearly knew what was coming and prepared for it.
“Are you okay?” Kyle continues, his anxious gaze taking Phil in.
“Yes.”
Fuck. He’s already getting overwhelmed. His tone is tighter, somehow, than it was in the car, and Phil’s not the type to give one-word answers when he’s comfortable. He’s a chatty guy.
Kyle, thankfully, recognizes that this isn’t the time for asking personal questions. Instead, he redirects his attention to Vivi. “And who’s this princess? Does she like to be petted?”
“This is Vivienne Westwood Pevensy,” Phil says before I can decide whether I need to reply or not. “Vivi, meet Kyle.”
Kyle actually coos. “Ohhhh, that’s the most perfect name ever!”
“Thanks,” I say. Maybe I should have been telling people Vivi’s full name all this time. People who’d get it, anyway. “And yeah, she likes being petted.”
After fussing over my dog for a few minutes, Kyle straightens and says, “Calla’s already inside—I thought I’d beat everyone here this morning, but she must have come in right after dawn.
I’ve cleared most of the week, but she said to leave Mrs. McLaren’s fitting scheduled for tomorrow until after I’d checked with you.
I can reschedule it for the new year if you want. ”
Phil bites his lip, torn, then shakes his head. “Pamela’s fine. But if anyone else wants an appointment…”
“Nope.” Kyle shakes his head. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re not in this week and people can wait.”
The tiny, relieved smile that statement wins him is enough for me to decide that Kyle’s my new best friend.
We go through to the showroom, which is empty.
It’s still too early for the rest of the staff to be here—if Kyle hadn’t already been told about the stalker, I doubt he’d be here either.
The big, quiet space seems to give Phil some of his confidence back, and he turns to face me as Calla comes out of her office.
“Is it okay if we set you up in the lounge? You’ll be able to spread out if you need to, and nobody will bother you.”
“Sweetheart, put me wherever you want, as long as I have a line of sight to you.”
He rolls his eyes, which makes me feel better. “I’ll leave the door to my office open so you can see me, but nobody’s getting past Kyle today.”
“Bet,” Calla declares. “You should have heard him when he came in this morning. If anyone tries to get in here, he’ll take them down with a number 2 pencil and leave no witnesses.”
Phil laughs. “I’m so glad we hired him.”
“Me too. Okay, so let’s show Griff where he can work, and then you and I will have a quick meeting to go over changes to this week’s plans… and I’ll play with Vivi, who neither of you rude bastards have introduced me to yet.”
We rectify that tragedy, and then they walk me through to the connecting room between their offices where we had our first meeting, explain where everything is, and retreat to Phil’s office, leaving the door ajar.
That’s probably going to become a nuisance if both of us need to make calls, but I’m standing firm.
Speaking of calls, though…. I check the time and decide it’s late enough. My boss is a workaholic anyway.
“Griff?” He answers on the first ring. “How’s Phil?”
“Okay,” I assure him. I texted Saturday night to thank him again for his help getting Spears to come to us and to let him know I wouldn’t be in the office today, but we haven’t spoken since then.
“We’re at the Phallacy showroom. The detective is coming to interview him and the rest of the staff this morning. ”
“It’s good that the cops are taking this seriously. Is there anything Kane or I can do?”
“You’re doing it. I’m grateful that I can be here.” I pace across the room, then lean against the window and look through the gap in the doorway. From here, I can see Phil’s bright head beside Calla’s as they bend over something on his desk.
“Don’t even think about it,” Damian insists. “If you need to take actual time off, we’ll handle it. It’s more important for you to be there with Phil.” He hesitates. “Would it be okay if Kane texted him? He’s worried.”
I grunt automatically, thinking about it. “Why don’t I tell Phil that Kane sends his love? If he’s up to a call or text, he’ll initiate it.”
“That would be great. Okay, so, do you have any meetings this week that you can’t reschedule? I can ask at the team meeting this morning who has the time to take them over for you.”
I shake my head even though he can’t see it.
“No, there’s nothing. Since I was wrapping up for the holidays anyway, I didn’t schedule anything.
I planned to finish up some details and do the last of my gift shopping.
” Which is now going to be an online situation that I’ll need to get done today if I want everything delivered on time.
“I can probably call in for the team meeting, though, unless the cops want to talk to me right then.”
“If you can, great, but if not, I’ll get Amina to send you anything relevant. Is there anything I need to know that we haven’t already covered?”
“No, I—fuck.”
He snorts. “That doesn’t sound good. Hit me with it.”
I check again that Phil’s not paying attention, and lower my voice anyway. “There was a note with the… gift the stalker sent, and it mentioned the commission Phil’s working on for Margaret. Detective Spears asked me about it. I think he might want to talk to her.”
Damian says nothing for a long moment, then sighs. “There’s no way around that. Spears is used to working with celebrities, so I’m sure he’ll handle it professionally. Ask if you can reach out to her first. He’ll probably say no, but it’s worth a shot.”
“Yeah.” I can hear the doubt in my tone. “I’ll ask. Though if he says yes, that’s going to be one of the worst calls of my career.”
“This isn’t your fault—or Phil’s. You said Margaret was happy about you two hooking up, didn’t you?”
“She was—happy for me and excited to meet Phil. She’s a nice person, so I don’t think she’ll hold this against me.” It’s just not at all professional.
“Let me know if you want me to step in, but I’m confident it’s going to be fine. Not ideal, but fine. Anything else before I let you go?”
“Actually, yeah. Were you planning to bring a new stylist on board anytime soon?”
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Damian admits. “Everyone has a full roster now, and we’re turning some people away that I’d rather have on the books. Why? Do you know someone?”
“Maybe. He’s never worked in fashion, but he’s an interior designer with an established high-end clientele, and his personal style is flawless.”
“Oh? How do you know him?”
“He’s a friend of Phil’s.”
He makes a thoughtful sound. “Phil knows you’re talking to me?”
In his office, Phil’s actually smiling. It’s not a big one, but it’s real, and my lips curve in response. “Yeah.”
“So it’s actually a recommendation from both of you. I’ll talk to this guy—got his number?”
“I’ll text it to you,” I promise. “His name’s Harold.”
We wrap it up there, and I text him Harold’s details. Then I text Harold to let him know to expect a call. Damian’s not the type to let this wait now that he’s got the idea in his head. My money’s on Harold starting the new year with a new job.
He must have his phone in his hand, because he texts me back immediately.
Thank you – really appreciate you putting a word in. Phil says you still have some holiday shopping to do. Anything I can help with?
That gives me pause. Is he serious?
Do you mean that? No harm if you’re just being polite.
His reply is preceded by three laughing emojis.
I don’t say things just to be polite. Send me your shopping list. I’ve got you covered. Do you want everything wrapped, or are you one of those weird people who likes to do it themselves?
Bitch, please. Wrapped and labeled would be amazing. Thank you.
I add the link to the doc where my holiday shopping list is saved. There’s nothing I hate more at this time of year than having to browse stores, so I’ve already done my research and picked out a few options for everyone—all Harold has to do is buy whatever’s still in stock.
With that off my to-do list, the call to Damian done, Phil safely in a meeting with Calla, and Spears not here yet, I have some time to go through my emails.
But first, I want to get in touch with an old buddy who went into private security when he left the Marines.
I’m positive I heard that he’s had clients with stalkers, and if there’s anything I need to know to protect Phil better, I want to know it.