Secret Moves(18)

"So, Kris," Blake said. "I didn't ask you this earlier, but if I do hire you, would that mean you'll resign from your current job? What will you do after this contract is up?"

"Well," she said with a slow exhale, "I heard through the grapevine that you're planning to open a Melbourne studio. I'm hoping that if you give me the three-month contract, I could prove myself enough in that time for you to offer me a permanent role in Melbourne."

"I see," Blake responded, casting a glance at his sister-in-law.

"Hey, you've asked a few of us to keep an eye out for suitable people for your studios. I had it on good authority that Kris might fit the bill," Jill said.

"Of course, I only want to get the job if the decision is based purely on my own merits and not because of personal connections," Kris declared.

Blake nodded, an enigmatic smile playing on his face. "Where does the sucking up to me come into play then?"

Kris laughed. "Oh, that! This lunch is on me."

"What?" Blake asked in feigned horror. "That would be such a slight to my chivalry."

"Hey, that was already agreed to beforehand as my thanks to these two girls for connecting me with you. Since you've invited yourself to join us, it would be rude of me not to include you in my generous gesture," she said in a teasing tone.

"Well, I have to thank these two girls as well, for finding me a talent such as you. I think lunch should be on me. In fact, I insist," Blake said with a wide grin directed at her.

She squinted her eyes, excitement bubbling within her. "If you think I'm such a talent, does that mean you're going to offer me the job?"

"Patience, Kris. Patience," Blake responded with a chuckle before taking on a serious countenance. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be such a tease about it but I do need some time before I can let you know my final decision."

"No problem," she replied. "Please take your time. This is your business and it's an important thing. I'm just mucking around as well. I'll fully respect whatever you decide."

Their drinks arrived and Jill proposed a toast for an enjoyable lunch—and that was what they had.

Except that it bothered Kris that Trey didn't seem to be enjoying his, judging by his aloof expression every time she glanced his way. A part of her wished she could go over to him and put a smile on that handsome face.





CHAPTER SEVEN





"You'll be there, won't you, Trey?"

"I'll try, Mum. I'm terribly busy with work," Trey answered his mother evasively. Seriously, the last thing he wanted was to go to her engagement party. What was the need for it when there was going to be a wedding not long after anyway?

"If you can't go, then maybe we can organise a dinner so you can meet Simon before the wedding. You and Rebecca can spend more quality time with him," his mum suggested.

He felt Rebecca kick his foot. His sister was just as underwhelmed as he was with all this "good news" from their mother.

"If I work hard this next couple of weeks, I'm sure I'll make it to the engagement party," he said with resignation. Being amongst a crowd would be much better than being in an intimate conversation with his soon-to-be stepfather.

He sighed, grateful that lunch was almost at an end. If Rebecca would only eat faster, they'd finish sooner. But his sister always ate like a turtle.

His annoyance was inflamed by the fact that Kris seemed to have forgotten about him. He'd sent her another text, but she'd ignored it.

Grow up, Andrews. What are you? Fifteen? he berated himself.

He took another peek at Kris, and again she was in an animated conversation with the man sitting in front of her. What was more telling was the fact that Sam—who hadn't noticed he was around—and the other woman with them seemed to be mere spectators to the yakking happening between Kris and the guy.

It irked him no end—an unusual reaction which he put down to his competitive nature being challenged.

He wanted Kris. He, and no one else, was going to be her fling partner.





*******



"I'll be with you in a second. I just have to say hello to friends at another table," Trey said to his mother and sister who were making their way out of the establishment.

As he approached Kris' table, she looked up and a grin appeared on her face.

"Hey, Trey," Kris said. "You're off?"

"Yeah. Just thought I'd say hello and goodbye."

"Hi, Trey," Sam said. "You've had lunch have you? I didn't even notice you were here."

"Yup. I was sitting right there," he replied, indicating to the table they'd vacated.

"Oh, right. This is my friend, Jill, Trey. And that's Blake, Jill's brother-in-law," Sam said. "Trey's a friend of ours," she explained to Jill and Blake.