"Unfortunately. We have a project we need to deliver to a client by the end of this week and we're behind on it. My fault. Adam and Dylan have already taken some of the load off me so I can be here tonight, but they need me to pull my finger out and finish some things."
"Okay," she said as they all sat to eat.
"Baby," Trey said as Kris loaded his plate with food. "I know you turned down Blake's job offer."
She shrugged. "There'll be other opportunities."
"Not like the one he offered you," Trey contended. "Where else would you get the chance to meet high profile people and work on big projects like Hollywood movies?"
"It's too late now. I already quit," she said nonchalantly, although she did feel the sting of a missed opportunity.
"I don't think so," Trey said, looking at her warily.
"You wouldn't mind me working for Blake?" she asked, her eyebrows arching in surprise.
"No. I trust you," he said quietly.
She smiled at him—a happy smile that conveyed how much those words meant to her. But the issue with Blake wasn't simple.
"Thank you, honey. But…I can't go back. When I told Blake my decision, I was kind of rude to him and gave him a piece of my mind. He was appalled at how uncomfortable he made me feel and he apologised. He said he'd back off and that he still wanted us to work together. But I was so ill-tempered and unreasonable at that time that I blamed him for starting our troubles and walked out."
Trey glanced at Sam who had been quietly watching them while she ate. Sam smiled at him encouragingly.
Kris' curiosity was piqued. What?
Trey cleared his throat. "I've spoken with Blake."
"You have?" she asked in surprise. "About my job?"
"Yes. Well, about your job and about us and about how he should keep his hands off you."
Her eyes widened. "You told him to keep his hands off me? But I'm not even around him anymore. I'm also not taking the Melbourne role he offered me."
"Okay, hear me out," Trey said, shifting in his seat to face her fully. "I can't stand the thought of you giving up your dream job and the incredible opportunity for big things in your career because of me."
"But I don't think I can work with Blake anymore, after what I said to him."
"When I went to see Blake," Trey said, "I told him everything about us and why you left. To cut a long story short, he's still keen to have you work in his studio. He does respect and admire your talents and abilities. So the three-month stint is still yours if you want it. After that, the two of you can figure out where you both want to head—in the professional sense, of course."
Kris gaped at him, shocked and not knowing what to say. "You're really okay with it?" she asked when she found her voice again.
Trey nodded, sincerity etched in his face. "I can't have you throwing this away, Kris."
"When does Blake want me to start?" she asked, excitement bubbling within her again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Trey sat in Kane and Jasmine's living room, waiting for Kris to finish getting ready. He was glad she was going with him to his mother's wedding and reception. He'd be so bored and listless otherwise.
"Here you go, Trey. Tell me what you think," Jasmine said, handing him a small plate with three mini-sized pies Jasmine had learnt to make while on her honeymoon.
He dutifully placed one in his mouth and a burst of savoury flavour filled it. "Hmm," he hummed, nodding his head in approval as he chewed. "Do you have more?"
Jasmine laughed, pleased by his reaction. "I thought you didn't want to get full. You're going to a wedding reception."
"Yes, but these are really good, Jaz."
"Thanks. Kane's addicted to them now, too."
"Addicted to what?" Kane asked as he stepped into the room. "Hey, those are my mini-pies!"
"Tough, bro. Your wife just gave them to me."
"Isn't she great?" Kane asked as he placed an arm around Jasmine and kissed her soundly on the lips.
"She sure is," Trey agreed with a smile. In the past, public displays of affection by his friends made him want to roll his eyes. Now, he understood. He'd been finding it hard to hide his feelings for Kris when there were people around. Not that he didn't want others to know he was in love with her, but he was just someone who wasn't used to PDA's.
He'd been surprising himself lately, though. These days he wouldn't think twice about stopping in the middle of the street just to give her a kiss.
"How's it working for you guys with Kris staying here?" he asked the newlyweds.
When Kris came back to Sydney, they'd agreed that Kris should stick with her original plan to stay with Kane and Jasmine. Their relationship was new, and it felt too soon to be living under the same roof. But now that Kris had been around for two weeks, he had started to question the reasons why she couldn't live with him instead. She'd already been staying most nights at his place anyway.