Chapter 10 #2
“Yes. Because I’m trying to be smart with money so I don’t end up back home with my parents again. I finally just got back on my feet.”
“I can’t even imagine you moving back home.” He lifts his sandwich and takes a bite. A groan rumbles in his throat. “Romilly, this is . . . amazing.”
The compliment warms me. “Thanks. Why can’t you imagine me moving back home?”
“Because you’re good at everything.” He says it so simply, like it’s a fact instead of an opinion.
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. You succeed at everything you do. It’s fascinating to witness.”
I scoff. “My last dog grooming business with my sister, Zara, completely failed. We made the mistake of buying the building instead of renting, and the place fell apart. It was too expensive for us to fix, so we both had to move back home.”
“But look at you now,” he says. “Successful new pet spa full of bloodthirsty beasts who adore you. Helping the needy. Good with kids. Voice like an angel.”
I blush furiously. Is that really what he thinks of me?
But my own thoughts happily intercede. Don’t let the compliments get to you, Romilly. Compliments mean nothing. It’s all about actions.
“Trust me, my business is closer to failing again than you think. My rent just went up, and the only groomer left in Meadow Hills won’t come back to work with me unless I raise my online rating.”
“That shouldn’t be hard. Not for you,” he says.
If only I felt as certain as he does. I lean closer across the table. “Can I ask you something?”
“I’m an open book.”
“What happened with your last job to make you accept a position with me?”
His stormy blue eyes settle onto mine. “Are you sure you want to know? The truth might reinstate me as a bad boy in your mind.”
“Whatever it is, I doubt it’s that big a deal. I already ran a background check on you.”
“Alright then.” He smiles wider. “My parents are members of high society in Woollahra, and their auction house in Sydney has a crazy amount of prestige. I’ve assisted them with events now and then. But I hated it. What I really love—what I’m passionate about is fighting.”
I nod. “And they’re not happy about that, I’m sure.”
“Of course not. I’m their biggest embarrassment.
Their sweet, charming Sebastian, a fighter?
Not a chance.” He smiles. “I was supposed to eventually take over the auction houses for them. The one back in Sydney, and the other, over in Portland, so they could retire. But when I told them I had no desire and I wanted to fight instead, that was it for my parents. The last and final straw.”
“I’m surprised they’re not proud of you…making it like that as a professional fighter? That must have taken a lot of guts, ” I say.
He smiles. “Thanks. Deep down I think I hoped they would be. But my parents were so furious they canceled my cards and left me here, stranded. My sister, Ingrid, stayed with me, even though my next fight isn’t till November. I won’t make much from it either, not without a sponsor.”
My laughter dries up instantly. “So you’ve just been…they abandoned you? And they left you with no money at all?”
“Unfortunately.”
“And you have no money of your own?”
“Only what I’ve made working with you. The cash I earned from my debut lasted maybe a week. And Ingrid’s salary, plus the money from my pawned watch got us through till I met you.”
Empathy surges through me. Yeah, he kinda put himself in this situation, with the rebelling and doing something he knew would upset his parents. But I still feel bad for him because he was just trying to do something he loves.
“Enough about me. Tell me about your family,” he says.
“Well…” I bite my lip. “My sister, Zara, is nosy and optimistic. My brother, Aiden, is crazy good at video games. I hardly ever see him because he games so much. And my mom loves cooking and spending time with family. She stayed home to raise us.”
“What about your dad?” he asks, eyes glinting with curiosity.
“He’s a plumber here in town. Taught me how to unclog a drain at six years old.” I smile at the memory.
“You should be thankful,” he says. “I’d give anything to talk about my family the way you talk about yours.”
Guilt pricks at my heart. “Well, what about your sister? Do you not get along with her either?”
Some of the tension in his expression eases. “Actually, Ingrid and I get along just fine. She’s been going on about making brunch for you. Which is ridiculous because she’s still learning how to cook.”
I blink. I’m sure I must have misheard him. “Did you say she wants to make brunch for… me? ”
He nods. “As thanks for hiring me.”
I laugh, but it comes out unsteady. Has Bash talked about me to her? The thought makes my cheeks feel warm. “When is it?”
“Tuesday. And before you say you have to serve breakfast at men’s group, it’s been cancelled this week because of a scheduling conflict with one of the leaders.”
I laugh. “I know. And I’d love to come.” The words come out before I can stop them.
“That’s good. Because if you said no, I would have been forced to cash in that favor you owe me for helping this morning.”
I giggle. “Thank you again for that, by the way. You were actually pretty great with those kids.”
The corner of his mouth lifts, and our gazes lock. Neither of us says anything, but I can feel the weight of his stare like it’s touching me. For the briefest moment, I wonder what it would be like to kiss him. And then I force the thought from my mind.
“Thank you for lunch,” he says, standing to collect our plates. “I’ll clean up and get going. I’ve taken up your whole afternoon.”
The way he speaks makes it easy for me to imagine him in a setting like an upscale auction house, schmoozing clients and greeting them with his charming words. It’s probably easy for him to slip into that mask, the one that he knows will please his parents and the people he needs to impress.
And then an idea comes to me.
“Wait a second. What were you saying earlier about sponsors?”
He frowns. “If I don’t find one, I won’t make much from my next fight.”
“And I need to raise my rating at the salon to get my old groomer back. Do you see where I’m going with this?” I raise my eyebrows.
Bash’s frown only deepens. “That we all have problems?”
“No. I’m trying to say I’ll sponsor you if you can help me raise my rating.”
“Sponsor me?” Bash crosses arms. “How? I thought your business is close to failing.”
“It is. But if Agatha comes back, it would solve everything. I’d make twice what I am now. I could afford to sponsor you, easily.”
Bash rubs the back of his neck. “What could I do to bring up your rating that you can’t do on your own?”
“I need to be more available, which means taking more dogs every day. And I also need help finishing my grooms faster. I can train you to help me speed things up.” I shake my head. “There’s no way I could do any of it without your help.”
Bash mulls my words over. He doesn’t break the stare we have going. For a minute, I think he’s going to turn down my offer, but then an understanding smile spreads across his face. “You got yourself a deal.”