“We know, sexy. We’re funning on you,” said Junna.
“You’re totally...” sand squeaked under his foot as he ground it, searching for the word.
“Objectifying you,” said Carrie.
They laughed. Audrey looked down at her feet.
“My old boss never let a day go by without commenting on my appearance.
He thought it was being nice. It was creepy,” said Maria. “Didn’t matter that I asked him to not to.”
“Every time I see my dentist he wants to know if I date. He knows I’m married. Every time,” said Janine. “I need to change dentists, but it’s a hassle. “And what about you, Audrey? All those guys at your work, patronising you.”
Audrey looked up at him. “No, it’s not that—”
“You got passed over, right.”
“Yeah, that—” She got interrupted again. They all talked on top of each other. Audrey mouthed the word ‘sorry’.
“We’re just getting some of our own back, Reece.”
“You can take it.”
“It’s just a bit of fun.”
Yeah, he could take it. He was built like an army tank and he was a nanny. He didn’t have to like it though. He walked forward and held his hand out to Audrey.
“Audrey needs to walk. Get her fitness back. If you guys watch Mia, I’ll go with her and bring back coffee.”
Not a cackle. They were all looking at his fucking hand. Why did he do that? She wasn’t going to take it. Not in front of them.
“He’s determined to get me fit again.” Audrey stood, her hands busy brushing imaginary sand from her thighs.
“No hurry,” said Carrie. “Eugenia, stop that.”
“We’ve got Mia,” said Junna. “No throwing sand.”
He led off, going up the steps behind the women; he wanted out of their sight. He could hear Audrey behind him and then he felt her hand on the back of his hip.
“Slow down.” He stopped. “Are you mad?” She put her hand in his. “Please tell me they’re not always like that.”
He looked down at her, brows mashed down low in concern. He cupped her face and kissed the furrow on her forehead. “Nope. I’m not mad. I don’t know what that was about.”
“I do.” She squeezed his hand. “Every one of them wants what’s in your pants.”
He laughed. “It’s playgroup for fuck’s sake. There are kids.”
“There’s you, looking like you do, so unexpected. They’re all bored. Maria can’t wait to go back to work. Janine hated working, but resents being at home, and you know Carrie’s story.”
He shook his head. Rather not think about that. “You tried to say it wasn’t that bad, the objectification, at work.”
“It’s not. It’s a male dominated workplace, but I like it. I love it. There’s discrimination, I’ve experienced it up close and, yes I deserved a promotion. Having Mia cost me that.” She frowned again. “But no one ogles me or seriously propositions me.”
“What do you mean seriously propositions you?”
She shrugged then tugged his hand and they started walking. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
He stopped, making her stop too. “Like what? I want to know.”