Faye looked from Aubrey to Marcus; by the looks on their faces, neither of them seemed at all concerned that Aubrey had just told a barefaced lie.
‘Well, isn’t somebody going to open this door?’
No one made a move.
Faye stepped forward and put her hand on the doorknob.
‘Will youpleaseopen the damn …’ Jake’s good-humoured tone had evaporated.
Faye flung it open.
‘… door,’ he breathed into her face. ‘Oh.’
Faye glanced back at her two hallway companions. ‘I think they were having some fun with you.’
Jake looked over her shoulder. Marcus lifted his hand and gave a little wave. Aubrey gave a funny half-salute.
‘No kidding,’ Jake said flatly. ‘And where were you when I wanted out of the kitchen?’ Jake was not amused.
Before Faye could explain that Aubrey and Marcus’s conversation had caught her off-guard, Aubrey spoke. ‘A little bird tells me that Marcus has been causing trouble again.’
Faye shot Aubrey a look. She sincerely hoped that little bird was just a figure of speech and in no way a reference to herself.
‘Yeah, tell me about it,’ said Jake. ‘Have you seen my hallway? I’ve a good mind to …’
Marcus barged passed Faye. ‘You’ve a good mind towhat?’ he said squaring up to Jake. ‘Punch my lights out?’
‘Nowthatis not a bad idea,’ said Jake, glaring at Marcus.
‘Boys, boys,’ Aubrey was on his feet. ‘Play nice.’ Aubrey placed a hand on Marcus’s shoulder and steered him away from Jake. ‘After all, we are in the presence of a lady.’ He bowed his head in Faye’s direction.
Another compliment!Faye thought, suddenly feeling very self-conscious, with three sets of male eyes focused on her.
‘Andthis lady,’ said Faye glancing at Aubrey, ‘has got to get back to work.’ She headed for the door. ‘Jake?’
Jake was heading for the stairs. ‘I need to pee.’
‘You need help with that?’ Marcus sniggered.
‘No, thank you.’
Jake was a considerable time.
Outside, a taxi turned up. ‘That’ll be my ride.’ Marcus grabbed his bag and looked at his watch. ‘This cab driver is not getting a tip, I can tell you.’ He opened the front door. ‘Faye.’
She was still looking up the stairs after Jake. She turned to Marcus.
‘It’s been a pleasure,’ said Marcus.
Faye raised her eyebrows. She couldn’t say the same herself; not at all. Not after the trouble he’d caused. Then it occurred to her that perhaps he was just being sarcastic. She didn’t know him well enough to tell. Maybe if they’d met under different circumstances, they might hit it off. But not today. She scowled at him.
‘Aubrey,’ Marcus nodded in his direction.
‘Remember what I said, Marcus – just give it time.’
The cab driver honked impatiently.
‘Oh, get lost!’ Marcus shouted out of the door. ‘I spent enough time waiting for you!’ Marcus closed the door behind him.
