CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
I freeze. Because I don’t have a clue. I know what I like. I know what feels right. But I don’t have designer names or fancy terms to dress it up with.
Silence stretches a beat too long.
Her lips press together.
“Perhaps you have a designer you admire?” she prompts. “Just to give me an idea of your aesthetic.” There’s a hint of amusement in her voice now, like she already knows I won’t have an answer.
“I like colour,” I say finally. It sounds weak, even to me.
“Colour,” she repeats slowly, glancing at Ray as if to check I’m joking.
“I thought that was you.”
I turn at the sound of Sofia’s voice, relief washing over me instantly. She strides over like she owns the place—effortless, confident, completely unfazed. “Am I interrupting?” she asks, though her tone suggests she doesn’t particularly care.
“No,” I say quickly, pulling out a chair. “Not at all. Please, sit.”
“Alison,” Sofia says coolly, her lips curving into something that isn’t quite a smile. “Lovely to see you again.”
“It’s been a while,” Alison replies, her tone equally polite but blaringly false. The tension between them is instant. I glance between them, then jump in.
“Alison’s designing Ray’s apartment,” I explain. “He’s asked me to give some input.”
“Yes,” Alison says, her smile tightening just slightly. “I was trying to get a feel for Wynter’s tastes.” She pauses. “But she doesn’t seem entirely sure what she likes beyond ‘colour’.”
I straighten slightly in my chair. “I know what I don’t like,” I say, meeting her gaze this time.
Her brows lift just a fraction. “And what’s that?” she asks.
I gesture lightly around us. “Rooms that look like no one actually lives in them,” I reply. “Places that are more about impressing people than feeling comfortable.”
Sofia smirks, and Ray says nothing, but I feel his attention shift to me.
Sofia narrows her eyes slightly then leans back in her chair like she’s bored. “Ray, I’d love a coffee,” she says, all sweetness now. “If you wouldn’t mind.”
He’s half-focused on his phone again but nods anyway, pushing to his feet. “Yeah, sure.”
The moment he’s out of earshot, everything changes. Sofia leans forward, her expression dropping, her voice low and lethal. “Now, listen to me, you stuck-up little bitch,” she says calmly. “Just because you drip your scrawny arse in diamonds doesn’t mean you’re better than anyone at this table.”
I blink.
Alison freezes for half a second, then her lips curl.
“I believe I ticked Vinn off my list long before you came along,” she hisses back, her polished tone cracking just enough to show teeth.
Sofia gives a slow, mocking smile. “Funny,” she says, “because from what I’ve heard, he only entertained you out of boredom.
The man had no taste back then. It showed in the décor too.
Had to gut the entire house when I moved in.
” Alison’s jaw tightens. “So, here’s what’s going to happen,” Sofia continues, her tone dropping again.
“You’re going to tell Ray you can’t take this job. ”
Alison lets out a sharp breath. “And if I don’t?”
Sofia tilts her head, like she’s almost amused. “I’ll ruin what’s left of your already shit reputation,” she says lightly. “And trust me, sweetheart, it won’t take much.”
The silence that falls is heavy and tense and I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
“Actually,” Sofia adds, glancing towards the bar where Ray is still ordering, “why don’t you just gather your things and leave now? Save yourself the embarrassment.”
Alison hesitates. Then stands. Her movements are stiff, but she doesn’t argue again. She grabs her bag and walks out without a word.
The second she’s gone, I turn to Sofia, unable to stop the smile pulling at my lips. “What the hell was that?”
Sofia leans back like nothing just happened. “She’s a slag,” she says simply. “Probably already offered Ray a discount for a date.” I huff out a laugh. “She’s nasty. You don’t want her around him.”
“He’s not my property, Sofia,” I say, shaking my head. “She can do whatever she likes with him.”
Sofia waves a dismissive hand just as Ray returns, placing her coffee in front of her. I glance towards the window and spot the biker again, leaning casually but watching closely.
“Don’t you ever get sick of that?” I ask, nodding towards him.
Sofia follows my gaze, barely reacting. “I hardly notice anymore,” she says. “And if it means I’m safe . . .” She trails off, shrugging.
“Actually, it’s something we need to think about,” Ray adds, his tone shifting slightly. “Keeping you and my child safe, is my priority.”
I look at him. “Safe from who?”
“Enemies,” he replies simply. “Everyone has them.”
I scoff. “I don’t.”
“I do.” Anika’s name is hanging unspoken between us, so I nod. “What happened to Alison?” he asks after a moment.
Sofia doesn’t miss a beat. “She wasn’t right for the job. Didn’t understand Wynter’s vision.” I raise a brow but say nothing. “I know someone better,” Sofia adds, already sipping her coffee. “I’ll send you the details.”
She takes a quick gulp, then checks the time. “Shit, I need to go. I left my mum in charge of Mario. She’s probably feeding him chocolate as we speak.” She stands quickly, already grabbing her bag. “I’ll see you at lunch,” she calls, heading off before either of us can respond.
The space feels quieter without her. I glance down at my hands, then smile faintly.
“My mum used to sneak me chocolate,” I say softly, “when my dad wasn’t looking. He was strict about that kind of thing.” Ray looks at me. “It was our little secret,” I admit.
Lunch starts easily enough.
Ray had the casino chef prepare steak and salad, and it’s laid out perfectly across the table just as Vinn and Sofia arrive with their son.
I hover beside Ray in the kitchen, lining up glasses while he pours drinks.
“Maybe I should take cooking lessons,” I say lightly, keeping my tone casual. “It would be nice to cook for my son or daughter.”
He doesn’t look at me. “Why learn,” he replies, “when I have a chef who can do it for you?”
I give a small shrug, reaching for the sparkling water. “I can’t exactly take your chef with me when I move out.”
His hand stills for a fraction of a second, it’s barely noticeable, but I see it, though he says nothing. Instead, he just picks up the glasses and walks back into the dining area.
“You’re looking well, Wynter,” Vinn says politely as I take my seat.
I scoff, cutting into my steak. “We both know that’s not true.”
“Are you kidding?” Sofia cuts in. “Pregnancy completely suits you. I looked like a whale,” she adds. “You’ve got the cutest bump.”
“I feel huge,” I mutter.
Ray places the glass of water in front of me and wine for everyone else.
“You look perfect,” he says and I feel myself blush.
Sofia slides a business card across the table. “This is the designer we used.”
“Because she scared off Alison,” Vinn adds, amused.
Ray smirks. “Really? You don’t like Alison?”
“Vinn slept with her,” Sofia says bluntly. “And so why would I want a whore decorating my house?”
I snort, unable to help it.
“That explains why she left so quickly earlier,” Ray says.
“She was looking down her nose at Wynter,” Sofia adds.
Ray frowns slightly, turning to me. “Was she?”
“A little,” I admit.
“Why would she act like that?” he asks, genuinely confused.
“Because women like Alison think they’re better than anyone who didn’t grow up with money,” Sofia says. “You men never see it. It’s embarrassing.”
Ray exhales, rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand. “Sorry,” he says quietly. “I didn’t realise. I’ll do better.”
The contact sparks and I pull my hand away, resting it firmly in my lap. “No need,” I say lightly. “It’s your apartment. Get whoever you want to decorate it.”
“I want you comfortable,” he replies.
“It’s a bit much for a short stay,” I shrug. “I’m fine with how it is.”
His expression tightens.
“Short stay?” Sofia repeats, picking up on it instantly.
I smile faintly, taking another bite. “My being here is temporary,” I say. “Just until Ray decides I’m stable enough to carry his child.”
Everyone looks at me, waiting for the joke, for me to smile, and when I don’t laugh, the moment turns awkward.
Instead, Ray lets out a short laugh. “That’s not true,” he says, but there’s an edge to it now. “You are stable.”
“I thought you were back for good,” Sofia says carefully.
I shake my head.
“We haven’t finalised anything,” Ray cuts in quickly.
I swallow my food before adding, “I’ll find somewhere once I’m back on my feet. Somewhere quieter.”
His jaw ticks. “That could take some time,” he says, his tone tightening.
“I feel better already just being out of hospital,” I reply calmly. “It was an over-reaction in the first place.”
“The hospital didn’t agree,” he says through clenched teeth.
“Because Lucy exaggerated,” I shoot back. “She always does.”
“And the pills?” he snaps. “The breakdown? That was all exaggerated too?”
“Don’t do this here,” I mutter, dropping my cutlery down. It clatters.
“You’re the one who keeps bringing it up,” he fires back.
“Because you keep acting like I’m incapable of making decisions,” I say, my voice sharpening.
“Because right now, you are,” he says.
Vinn shifts slightly in his seat. Sofia watches us both, her eyes narrowing.
“I’m pregnant,” I say, leaning forward slightly. “Not incompetent.”
“And I’m responsible for that child,” Ray shoots back.
“You don’t get to control me because of it.”
“I’m not controlling you—”
“You dragged me here,” I cut in.
“Because you needed it,” he snaps.
The tension cracks wide open.
“Okay,” Sofia says suddenly, clapping her hands once.
Both of us stop. She looks between us, completely unimpressed.
“Before one of you throws a plate,” she says calmly, “why don’t you two,” she points between Ray and Vinn, ”go and get a drink.”
Vinn doesn’t hesitate, pushing to his feet. “Sounds like a great idea.”
Ray looks like he wants to argue. Then, he exhales sharply and pushes back his chair. “Fine.”