Page 6 of Mayfair Madame (Mayfair Heights #1)

Chapter Six

Ellie

“ S o, I know this might be a little sudden, and I might be the last person you want to talk to after what happened the last time we met,” the woman on the other end of the line said.

Usually, I didn’t answer unknown calls, but something had made me answer this one, and I was glad I had.

“Naomi? What can I do for you?” Why the hell was she calling me?

I should end the call, annoyed as I was with her, but I was interested in her reasons for dropping the case against Lord Godfrey. He deserved to suffer for what he’d done to her.

“Well, I kind of. Now that… God, why is this so difficult?”

“Is everything okay, Naomi? You sound flustered.”

The first night I’d met her, she’d been reserved.

Understandably, considering what she’d been through.

Two days ago, her confidence and dominance had oozed from every pore.

The conviction and determination in her voice when she’d told Josh and me she no longer wished to press charges had been clear.

But the Naomi on the end of the line now was timid by comparison. What was it she wanted to say?

“Fuck it. I’m just gonna say it. I’m having a birthday bash on Saturday. Do you want to come along? It’s nothing fancy, just a few friends getting together.”

“Oh.” That was unexpected. I’d been pissed at her on Monday for dropping the case, and I hadn’t exactly hidden my feelings, but what was this all about? Why was she asking me?

“I get it if you don’t want to come. We only met a week ago, and we barely know each other. You won’t know anyone there other than Melinda and me, and I know you weren’t exactly happy with my decision to drop the case.”

“That’s your choice, Naomi. I’m sure you have your reasons, but why? Why are you asking me?”

“A good question.”

People whispered in the background, and my irritation grew.

“Don’t invite me out of some sort of pity.” I bristled at her comment. I wasn’t someone to be pitied or mocked.

“What? No, that’s not what I’m doing.” Her voice softened. “I’m asking you because I like you, Ellie Sharpe. You were kind to me that night, and I’d like to get to know you better. Is that so bad?”

This had to be a joke. What would she want with me? I was ordinary Ellie Sharpe. Nothing special about me, but she was a goddess.

“I don’t understand. Is this a joke?” I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had paid me any sort of attention.

“Fuck, no. Is it so hard to think someone likes you? Please say you’ll come. We’re having a meal, going to Sam’s bar for a few drinks. That’s it. No agenda, no pity involved.”

She’d hit the nail on the head. I did struggle to think someone liked me. She sounded sincere, although I still doubted the reason for asking me.

“Surely you’ve someone else you could ask.”

“I do, and I have. There are other people coming, but I’d really like for you to be there too, Ellie. Please. Say yes. It is my early birthday party after all.”

Well, since she put it that way. But I didn’t know her other than our brief interactions, and my mind raced, unable to reconcile her reasons for asking me. My inner voice screamed for me to say no, but a small part of it rebelled. How bad could it be?

“Where did you say it was? Not saying I’m coming, mind.”

“The restaurant at the apartment block. A friend of mine owns it.”

Josh and I had taken a quick tour of the small mall underneath the apartment block. There were several shops: a bakery, a bar, and the restaurant Naomi was referring to. A pretty little florist shop sat next to a gym, the patrons visible through the plate-glass window.

Beautiful bodies everywhere, all muscly and fit. Something I’d never been and was unlikely to be. Kudos to anyone who had the stamina and drive to work out with the energy these people had.

“I know where that is. Look, are you sure about this?” As much as I wanted to jump at the chance, I hesitated. People like me weren’t seen out with people like her.

Where she was classy, I was mismatched. Fashion was a foreign concept. Every item of clothing I owned was bought to be practical.

An invitation to a place like that would require clothing other than my work suits or the sweatpants I wore at home.

Did I really want to splash out on a new outfit?

“I know this is completely out of the blue. You can blame Oscar. This was all his idea. Not that I didn’t want you to come. Fuck. This is all coming out wrong,” she blurted, her words rushed.

“I’ve got nothing to wear.”

“Oscar can help with that. If you’d like him to, of course. He’s a fashion designer and works as a personal stylist at one of the designer shops.”

“I can’t afford designer clothes! Not on my salary. This is probably a bad idea.” It was definitely a bad idea.

“It’s the best idea, Ellie Sharpe. I’ll call you every day until you agree.”

I smiled to myself. No one had ever begged for my attention. Did she really want me to go?

“Can I think about it?” I’d likely say no, but I didn’t want to commit to a decision right at this moment. One I might regret either way.

“You can think about it, but I will call you again tomorrow. You know, it’d be easier for you to say yes now.” The amusement in her voice was clear, and I pictured her smile.

My reasons for saying no had everything to do with my insecurities and nothing to do with the truly exquisite beauty that was Naomi Reeves.

“Well then, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I twirled a stray strand of hair, my heart ridiculously happy that she was calling again. Maybe I should have said yes.

“Until then, Ellie Sharpe. Enjoy your day.”

Before I could say goodbye, the line went dead. I looked at the phone in my hand. Whatin God’s name had just happened?

I bit my lip and smiled. Someone liked me. Not just someone, but Naomi.

I still couldn’t quite believe it, and when I sat at my desk and gazed at the screen in front of me, I saw nothing.

“You look like the cat that got the cream. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile like that.”

Josh plonked himself on the edge of my desk and handed me a coffee. Black with no sugar.

“That’s bollocks. I do smile.” But I knew I didn’t often.

I took a sip of the bitter liquid and grimaced. Who thought it was a good idea to cut sugar out of my diet?

That would be me in an effort to try to control my weight.

“Not like that, you don’t. Spill the tea. Come on. I have a boring life.”

“I think I’ve been asked on a date,” I said, still not believing it myself.

“By who? No disrespect, but I didn’t think you had many friends. Is it online dating? Have you signed up for one of these apps? Is there one for, you know?”

Poor Josh. He still struggled to say the word.

“Lesbians, Josh, and yes, there is an app, but I’m not on any.”

“So, is it someone at work?” Josh craned his neck, looking around the office.

“I’m not sure I should tell you.” Was it against the rules? Technically speaking, with Naomi no longer pressing charges, there was no active case, and since we’d heard from that dickhead Godfrey, he would not pursue a case against her.

“I mean, you don’t have to. Your private life is just that.” He kicked something invisible on the floor, his head down. I should put him out of his misery.

“It’s Naomi.”

“As in…”

“Yes, as in the owner of the online escort agency.” And now I thought about that, I knew it wasn’t a good idea at all.

“She’s hot.”

“Yeah, she is.” Too hot for me. Doubts crept in again.

“Are you sure she’s the right one for you?”

“Well, now that makes me feel really special.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant with her being, you know.”

“God, you’re really struggling with your words today. She’s not a prostitute.” Well, at least I didn’t think she was. I’d need to ask.

Would it make a difference?

“Are you going to go?”

“I haven’t decided yet. Is there a protocol for seeing suspects?”

“There is, but with no case to answer and as she’s no longer following up with Godfrey, there’s no reason you couldn’t go out with her. Is there something else bothering you?”

Did I know Josh that well to tell him my deepest, darkest secrets? The answer to that was no.

“No, I’m not really one for going out. Would you believe I’m a bit of an introvert?”

“I would actually, but maybe it’s time to make some friends. You’ve been here four, five months now? And she seemed like a nice enough woman. Do yourself a favour and say yes. Take a chance, Ellie. I wouldn’t be married with two kids if I hadn’t gone on the blind date.”

“Is that how you met your wife?”

“My best friend invited me on a double date, and the rest, they say, is history. We’ve been together for ten years. Took a while to have kids. Had to go down the IVF route both times, but it was worth it.”

This was the most Josh had ever told me about his home life. I knew he was married, had kids, but didn’t realise the lengths he’d gone to.

Maybe he was right. It was time to take a chance. One night wouldn’t hurt anyone.

“Josh. Ellie. In here, please.”

“Another day in paradise, Ellie. Time for work, but think about it,” Josh said. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

The rest of the day passed in a blur. We dealt with a theft, a bag snatch, and far too much paperwork, but finally our shift ended. Josh went home to his family, and I went home to an empty one-bedroom flat.

Josh was right. I lived a lonely life. No friends or family nearby. I’d barely got to know anyone at the station other than those I had direct contact with.

Now, sitting here alone, I wondered not for the first time if this move had been the right one. Perhaps I should have returned home, but the thought of dealing with an overbearing mother didn’t appeal to me.

No, moving to London had been the right choice. Career progression, the promise of a better salary, they had all been the deciding factors.

I turned on the TV, but nothing interested me since I’d finished my last show. The programmes I loved to watch reminded me too much of Kate and how we’d snuggle in bed watching our favourite shows. Often it would end in lovemaking, something I missed dreadfully.

I might have been quiet, but when it came to sex, I was the adventurous type, and nothing was off the table as long as we both agreed.

I lay on my sofa and grabbed my phone. Doom scrolling was all I seemed to do these days.

I browsed social media, where old friends posted photos of their families, holidays abroad, and pictures that screamed domesticity.

Did I want that? Kate and I hadn’t lasted long enough, although for a moment, I thought it was where we were headed.

The wedding, kids, the whole nine yards.

Curiosity had me searching out Naomi’s name. Unsurprisingly, it yielded nothing, but our earlier conversation came back to me.

Was I really that unattractive? While I usually refrained from having my picture taken, there were a few on social media. Pictures of Kate and me in our happier days, snaps of my family taken when Dad was alive.

I certainly looked more cheerful back then, and I missed that. The old me who’d go out at the drop of a hat and not come home in the early morning.

I was lucky if I stayed up past nine these days, even on the weekend.

Should I go? Should I take a chance?

Damn right I should.

I pulled up her number, and before I could back out, I pressed the green button. She answered on the second ring.

“Ellie Sharpe, I hope you’re calling to tell me you’ll come out on Saturday.”

“Yeah, I’ll come out with you, but only for drinks.” With my track record for eating, I was definitely not comfortable eating in front of people.

“Drinks are good. You know Sam’s bar? Well, it’s not called Sam’s bar, but he’s the guy who owns it.”

“I know which one it is. What time?”

“Shall we say ten?”

“In the evening?”

She laughed, a warm, rich sound that nestled in my chest.

“Yes, in the evening. That’s not too late for you, is it? A young woman like you should be out having fun on a Saturday night. Are you up for some fun, Ellie Sharpe?”

It should have felt strange when she called me by my full name, but I loved it. I felt seen, and that hadn’t happened in a long while. Her soft voice melted me, and feelings I shouldn’t have welled up inside.

“Well, it’s been a while, but yeah, I could be up for it.”

“I’m happy to hear that. The dress code is casual, so wear what you’re comfortable in. You won’t miss us. I’ll be looking out for you.”

She whispered the last words, and I knew I’d made the right choice.

“I’ll see you Saturday, then.”

“You definitely will. Sweet dreams, Ellie.”