“I love being your assistant,” she was quick to say. “But with this traveling cooking show, you’re going to be out of the office more now than ever, Christian. You’ll need me less and I’ll hardly see you.” Panic tinged her voice.
This was a facet of Lily he’d never seen before. But Christian could understand that his new plans might throw her. He said, “Look, Lil. I’m going to be on the road more, initially, that’s true. But business still needs to be taken care of, and I need you managing the office the way you always have. I can’t do any of this without you.”
“There are a million assistants in the world who can do what I do, Christian.” Now she sounded exasperated, borderline agitated.
“No.” He grinned, hoping to placate her. “Not the way you handle everything, Lil. I need you to continue doing what you do best.”
“Sit behind a desk.”
He sighed. “If it’s more travel you want, I’ll figure something out, all right? I don’t want to lose you, Lil. You’re invaluable to the company.”
She didn’t appear completely convinced this would all work out in her favor but didn’t push further. Except to say, “I suppose my time with you outside of business hours will become less and less as well, correct? Bayli Styles obviously spent the night here, and Rory is clearly fascinated by her. I have no doubt you are as well.”
“Lil, you and I never discussed mutual exclusivity.”
“No, we didn’t. I assumed the only reason for that was because Rory isn’t attracted to me. If he were … things might be different with the three of us.”
“I can’t say for sure. But you know I adore you. And I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together.”
“But that’s all over now.”
He stood. “Lil—”
She raised a manicured hand to stop him. “I have plenty of work to do, Christian. I need to get back to the office.”
She whirled around and sauntered out, leaving the lingering scent of Chanel No. 5 and a distinct chill in the air.
Christian sighed. She was pissed. But she had to have known this day was coming. Christian had never given her the impression that they were more than part-time lovers. He’d never asked for more, never offered more. She’d been accepting of the arrangement.
Now he’d have to figure out how to keep her happy and content as his assistant only. Finding a way for her to be involved with the show that allowed her to tag along from time to time might be paramount to proving how much he really did count on her and appreciated her hard work.
He let the thought percolate as he left his study. Rory had breakfast ready and he and Bayli were carting out serving dishes to the patio when Christian joined them.
As the trio sat around the table, Christian read the Wall Street Journal, Rory checked his e-mails on his iPhone, and Bayli stared out at the park with a smile on her face.
Then she took off for home and the library. Rory headed to the restaurant. Christian went to the office.
It was an easy transition to this new paradigm. They’d all fallen into step with one another and he found it enticing, exciting.
Perhaps he and Rory had finally achieved just the right balance in their personal lives. And as soon as the show started to take shape, they just might end up with everything they’d always wanted.
SEVENTEEN
A frenzy of activity ensued. Once Bayli signed the contracts and a check was delivered to her agency, Christian dove right into setting up a traveling production crew and secured m
odes of transportation. Rory was secretive about destinations on his list but was also plotting his culinary strategy, determining ingredients he’d capitalize on and recipes to invent.
All the while, Bayli was being “prepped.” Polished to within an inch of her life with spa treatments that went well beyond your basic massage, facial, mani/pedi. No, she was wrapped and buffed and soaked.
She now had a full-time hairstylist who’d lopped off three inches of her hair and left it sleek and shiny with long bangs swept to one side and the ends angled in at her collarbone. A makeup artist who’d mastered neutral tones that made Bayli dewy and fresh-faced with just the right contouring of her high cheekbones and pop of her tawny eyes.
A fashion consultant whisked her off to Barneys, Bloomingdale’s, and Bergdorf’s—oh, my! Bayli was in awe. In shock. In heaven. All at once.
The whirlwind adventure left her with little time to catch Jewel and Scarlet up on the happenings and even less time to spend an evening with Phillip and Colin. Though Bayli squeezed in a quick meet-and-greet lunch that included Christian and Rory. Her friends were a little tongue-tied over the famous duo. Perhaps not so much that they were famous but that they were so damn good looking.
Bayli had felt a surge of pride at Phillip and Colin fawning over her male companions. And her lovers were charming and witty, as charismatic as ever. Even Rory.
Above that, however, she was getting pulled deeper into Christian and Rory’s world. Reveled in it. They spent most of their evenings at Christian’s apartment as they mapped out business strategies … then got tangled up with one another in bed. Mornings were fairly routine with Rory cooking, Bayli assisting, and Christian yakking on the phone. But still so exciting.