“Verity, please.”
“Verity,” he said giving her another winning smile and I had another insane urge to punch him in the face. “I really do think that with some more rational discussion, we’d be able to give your bid some real consideration.”
“Toby, I hardly think that’s necessary,” I put in. “We don’t want to waste Ms Markham’s time after all.”
Verity narrowed her eyes at me and opened her mouth to speak, but Toby got in before her. “That’s fine, Hazza. If you’re too busy,I’lltake care of it.”
I frowned. “What do you–”
“Eight o’clock work for you, Verity?” Toby managed to put a subtle emphasis on her name, making the blood rush to my ears.
“You’re not taking heranywhere!” The words shot out before I could claw them back. Toby’s grin grew even wider, and Verity looked at me like I was crazy.
“Right, well then,” Toby said, not missing a beat. “That’s fine, we’llallgo out. I presume your team will come along too, Verity? We can make a night of it. Just let Brian know the numbers on your way out.”
“I still don’t think that we need–”
“Fine by me,” Verity cut me off and shot me a filthy look. “Maybe you’ll give us more than half a second to explain our design.”
“That’s settled then,” Toby said, ignoring my choked protests in the background.
“Yes, it is, isn’t it?” Verity’s voice was smug now. She gave me a fake, fuck-you smile before turning to give Toby another genuine one. “Toby, it’s been a pleasure. Mr York, it’s been real. I’ll see you gentleman later. I can see myself out.” She then spun on her heel and stalked out the way she came, Toby only just making it in time to open the door for her.
“Well,” he said after it had closed behind her and we were back in the silence of my office. “Thatwas interesting.”
“Fuck off, Toby,” I muttered, leaning forwards to rub my forehead as I let out a long breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding.
“Turning her down make you feel good?” he asked, ignoring me as usual to plonk himself down in the chair opposite mine across my desk. “You’re the big man now?”
I shrugged. “It’s got nothing to do with me wanting to be the big man.”
“Hmm…”
Chapter3
Ancient history
Harry
“You are such a prick,” Toby muttered as we walked into The Ivy.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied nonchalantly.
“What was that?” Naomi asked, curving her arm through mine and leaning into my side. I felt a twinge of unease – maybe this hadn’t been the best idea. But the thought of going on my own tonight with no armour or ammunition was too humiliating. And going out like this was nothing new for me and Noo. It really helped her to be seen with me. Toby thought it was just for publicity, but there was a more pressing reason to do with her safety that meant she needed to appear attached. I forced a smile at her, but, given her startled expression, it was probably more a baring of my teeth.
“Nothing, just Toby being Toby,” I said, and Noo rolled her eyes in irritation.
Toby and Noo simply did not get on. Not anymore. There was simply too much history there.
“So, is this a business dinner?” she asked. “What’s the skinny?”
Toby snorted and I accidently on purpose kicked the back of his heel.
“Business, sorry,” I said, “But it shouldn’t take long.”
She shrugged. “I don’t care. Makes no odds to me. Just so long as we’re papped, I don’t mind what we do.”
“I bet,” Toby muttered.
