Page 20 of Love or Your Money Back

CHAPTER

Freddy has never been especially interested in women’s clothing. Except for the clasps, fastenings and zips, which he is an expert at. But right now, he is interested in seeing Kat.

That came out wrong.

Not interested. Concerned. Freddy is concerned for Kat. Because he knows Indira is tough and Kat takes no prisoners, and between the two of them they may very well have caused a nuclear explosion.

Frankly, he’s amazed the High Style offices haven’t been reduced to rubble.

When Freddy enters the wardrobe area, Indira is some way off, arms crossed, towering over a pretty, dark-haired girl wearing a green, silk jumpsuit and strappy high heels.

It takes a few seconds for Freddy to realise that the dark-haired girl is Kat.

Good god.

Good GOD!

It can’t be.

Freddy stares, wondering if his mouth is open.

He reaches for the manly stubble around his jaw.

Yep. Wide open. Kat looks like a fashion magazine spread.

Not High Style. She’s not tall and skinny enough.

But one of those clothing catalogues he used to get as a kid to look at the women’s lingerie pages.

‘Hey. Kat,’ Freddy calls, striding towards her. ‘Great packaging.’

Kat turns and frowns. Her loose, silk jumpsuit skims all the right places – flattering, but elegant – and stylish, high-heeled shoes have elongated what is actually a very good figure.

Who knew a body like that was hiding under all those woollens?

Kat’s eyebrows are neater, opening up huge, brown eyes.

Something has happened to her eyelashes too. And her lips … wow.

‘Hello, Freddy Stark.’ Indira crosses her arms. ‘The prototype is ready. But we need a little more work before we can call it the final product.’

Freddy gives Indira air kisses, unable to keep the smile off his face. ‘Has she given you any trouble?’

‘A little.’ Indira gestures to a huge pile of designer shopping bags, shoe and hat boxes and various tissue-wrapped accessories piled up on a steel trolley.

‘But I wore her down in the end. We still have a lot to do. Hair tomorrow and then makeup tutorials, manicures, pedicures and facials going forward. Rome wasn’t built in a day. ’

‘I think Rome is looking pretty good,’ says Freddy. ‘Are you finished for now?’

‘For now, yes,’ says Indira. ‘But I’ll need her first thing tomorrow.’

‘Fine.’ Freddy offers Kat his elbow. ‘Katerina. Darling. Shall we?’

‘I need to get changed first.’ Kat appears thoroughly disinterested in Freddy’s arm or winning smile. ‘This jumpsuit is silk. It might get dirty –’

‘You cannot get changed,’ Indira barks. ‘Your other clothes have been burned.’

‘I can’t wear silk on the underground,’ says Kat. ‘And what about using the toilet? I have to take this whole jump-suit thing off when I go, which means it will end up on the toilet floor –’

‘Take taxi cabs,’ Indira snaps. ‘And hold it in.’

As Freddy and Kat walk through the High Style reception, Freddy wants to tell Kat how great she looks. But that doesn’t feel professional, so instead he says, ‘Indira has nailed the packaging, don’t you think? You’re someone I’d like to marry.’

That came out wrong. Freddy should have said, ‘You’re the girl all the guys will want to marry.’

He feels a little awkward, especially since Kat doesn’t reply. Awkwardness is an unusual feeling for him, and he doesn’t like it. He’s fairly sure it’s making him look less handsome.

When they reach the elevator, Freddy is so afraid of the awkward silence that he feels compelled to build upon the stupid thing he said:

‘Do you know something, Kat? We need to get you married off quickly. Because if someone doesn’t take you off the market, I will. And that won’t end well. You’d probably cut my balls off, and they’re my second favourite body part.’

Kat makes a disgusted face. ‘As if you could take me off the market.’

Freddy feels a little offended. ‘I could.’

‘No, you couldn’t. You’re not my type. I like decent, ethical men.’

‘Like Chris?’

‘Chris … okay, fine. Perhaps his actions haven’t been all that ethical of late. But in his own way, he wants to make the world better.’

‘What rubbish,’ Freddy snaps. ‘He’s all talk.’

‘Well, you’d know all about that, Mr champion salesman.’

‘I don’t just talk. I take action to make the world better every day of my life.’

Kat gives an outraged laugh. ‘By selling people things they don’t need?’

‘No. By integrating eco and diversity principles into my workplaces and donating a sizeable portion of our profits to global charities. Of course, I wouldn’t expect someone as prejudiced as you to notice that.’

‘Me? Prejudice? I have every anti-Nazi, anti-homophobe, anti-racist badge going. And I mean that literally. I have a drawer full of them.’

‘That doesn’t make you not prejudiced. You judged me as an arsehole from day one. Basically, for wearing a Rolex and using sound business sense.’

‘I didn’t –’

‘Yes you did,’ says Freddy. ‘Let me tell you something, Katerina. I may be a tad shallow. But having less money and a semi-failing business doesn’t make you a better person. At least if I want to help the world, I can do it.’

‘But are you helping the world?’

Freddy shrugs. ‘Here and there. Your packaging looks great. Are you ready to try out placement?’

‘Um … ye-es? I suppose so. What do you mean by placement, exactly?’

‘It means, Katerina, that I am taking you out tomorrow night. For dinner in elegant surroundings. With two great potential customers.’

‘I’m sorry. What? You’ve set me up on a date? Tomorrow

?’

‘Yep.’ Freddy grins. ‘A double date, actually. With two eligible men.’

‘You want me to go out with two men I’ve never met?’

‘You make it sound so sordid.’ Freddy presses the elevator call button.

‘Don’t worry. I’ll be there to hold your hand.

I mean, not really hold your hand but you know …

metaphorically. I’ve set it up as a business dinner.

No romantic pressures. Just people with T&C media connections getting to know each other. ’

‘You’ll be there too?’

‘Of course. I need to make sure you stay on brand.’

‘Freddy, I’m not sure this is a good idea. I’ve barely learned to walk in heels yet.’

‘Trust me.’ Freddy watches Kat’s stunning, but worried, reflection in the elevator doors. ‘You look great, and I have two customers, ready to buy. Why wait?’

‘Must you use the word customer?’

‘No. But it’s a lot more fun if I do.’