“If that’s what you want.” She folded her arms.
“We should talk. Practicalities. Are you on the pill?”
Her answer was instant. “Yes.”
“Thank fuck for that.” I met her eyes. “Anything I should know? Are the itchy and scratchies going to turn up for me? Is my dick going to grow another head? Shrivel up and drop off?” My laugh was dry and humourless.
She rolled her eyes. “I got tested in Italy.”
“You needed to, then? Fuck your way through Venice, did you?”
Her gaze was piercing. Steady. “I was clean.”
“Was. We’d better hope Sergeant Dumb-fuck Sin keeps his filthy fucking cock clean.”
“He used a rubber, had it on the whole time we were on stage. I’m not a total fucking numbskull.” She gestured to the door. “I’m going to head out, get something to eat before we open. You could come, or we could order a pizza and compare bruises.” She laughed. “Your cock just actually twitched, do you know that?”
“No, it fucking didn’t. You’re a prick, Faye.” Her laugh was contagious. I had to fight back the urge to smile. “Fuck off and get some dinner.”
“Yes, sir.” She mock saluted. “Topaz and I are heading over to the grill around the corner if you change your mind.”
“Topaz and you? Bosom fucking buddies now, are you?”
“She’s nice, like I said.”
“Nice and fired if she doesn’t watch herself.”
Big brown eyes challenged me. “You wouldn’t fire her. She’s too good.”
“I’d fire anyone with questionable loyalty. No second chances.”
“I get it. You’re still angry. No need to rub it in my face every five seconds.” She stood to leave.
Her comment pricked harder than it should have. I felt it flare in my gut. “You have no idea how fucking angry I am.”
“Keep me on bar for the next ten years if your stupid little power trip makes you feel better, it won’t make any difference.” She smoothed down her skirt. Deliberately. Spreading her thighs at just the right angle for me to see her bruises. “It’s a good job I came back. You keep good staff unmotivated, that’s going to change.”
My eyes narrowed. “What shit are you talking now?”
“Topaz. The pretty green-haired girl who brings you coffee. Seems you don’t even acknowledge she exists. That’s not a good management style, Andy.”
“Here we go.” I felt my heartbeat in my temples. “And what the fuck do you know about management style?”
Arms folded, smug smile. “I’ll bet you don’t even know her name. Her real name. When was the last time you spoke to her, properly?”
“Topaz told you all this crap, did she?”
“No,” she said. “I just know you.” She stalked to the door, swinging her hips in triumph.
“Emily Alice Gladwin. Her birthday is on June 22nd, a Cancerian, I believe. She’s twenty-three, lives in Elephant and Castle with her mum and stepfather, the same stepfather she’s had since she was a toddler. She has two younger sisters, half-sisters. Phoebe and Kate. They have hamsters, a cat too, Pickles. She’s been working here two years and three months. This is her first main job, before this she worked part-time in the same shop as her mum.” I watched Faye’s eyes widen. “Oh, and she wants to be a writer. I’m sure she told you that already during your cosy little heart to heart. Maybe you can give her some tips? Call up good old Vincent for some writing advice? I’m sure he’d be pleased to hear from you. Did you actually manage to say goodbye, or did you bail on him in the middle of the night, too?”
Her face bloomed like a slapped arse. “Stop it.”
“Fucking hell. You did bail, didn’t you?” I couldn’t resist a bitter laugh. “That really is your modus operandi, isn’t it? Faye Devere, disappears in a puff of smoke when the going gets too fucking tough for her. No grit, that’s your problem, no sense of commitment.”
“You have no idea what happened in Italy, Andy. No fucking idea why I left.”
“At least I’m not the only one you mugged off. Did you drop him right in the shit, too? Or was that just me?”
She turned the doorhandle, but her eyes stayed on mine, simmering. Something else, too, the thin line of her lips quivered for just a heartbeat. “You can be such a spiteful prick, Andy. I really don’t know why I came back here.”
I’d pushed it too far, and I knew it, but my ego stormed on ahead of me. “You know where the fucking door is, Faye. Don’t let me stop you.”