Page 27 of Pride

“Who did?”

“Mr Gold.”

Alex nodded knowingly. “That doesn’t surprise me. But this isn’t your apology to make. It’s his.”

I was speechless and so fucking grateful that someone was finally listening to me.

Why hadn’t Lloyd been like this?

Maybe I wouldn’t feel so bad about having to turn down his offer of dinner next Thursday if he’d shown an ounce of empathy. But he hadn’t.

“I wish everyone thought like you,” I found myself saying.

“There’s people in this world who thrive on causing drama and misery for everyone around them.” Alex turned to Lloyd. “Isn’t that right, Lloyd?”

Lloyd nodded along enthusiastically, even though he was the type to be at the front of the crowd when drama was happening.

“Don’t let it upset you, Emma,” Alex said, reaching out to stroke the side of my arm. A gesture that left goosebumps on my skin and made my spine tingle. “They’re only words, and it was just an article that’ll be forgotten about tomorrow.”

“I hope you’re right, but I don’t think S.K.A.M. sees it that way,” I said, and Alex frowned, narrowing his eyes as he asked. “What makes you say that?”

“He emailed the newspaper.” I didn’t want to admit that the email was sent directly to me. “He wasn’t happy about what was written, to put it mildly.”

“He’ll get over it,” Alex said with a shrug. “He knows how things work in this world. And he knows Gold, too.”

“He was pissed off,” I said and then cringed that I hadn’t used better words to express myself.

“And that bothers you?” Alex regarded me closely.

“Yes.”

“But you can’t please everyone all the time. Especially when you weren’t in control of the words that were put out there in the first place.” He paused, then added, “It’s like the art I’m here to collect. A piece of the shattered heart. You feel torn, but it’s out of your control. How someone else reacts and what they feel is for them to worry about, not you.”

He made so much sense and I appreciated his kind words and how he was trying to ease my guilt.

“I guess you’re right.”

We stood gazing at each other, until Lloyd broke the silence.

“I have to say, I’m surprised to see you here today, Alex. You don’t usually do collections yourself.”

Alex took a deep breath, shrugged, and said, “I woke up and decided I’d like to oversee things myself. I don’t know why.” His eyes found mine again. “Call it a hunch.”

“A hunch about what?” Lloyd didn’t know when to be quiet.

“That is something I’m still trying to figure out.” I noticed the way Alex’s mouth twitched as he gave me a half smile, then he turned to Lloyd, and whispered, “But don’t worry, your work ethic and diligence is not in question here. I know you always do a first-class job at handling the art.”

Lloyd gave a fake laugh. But I knew he thought Alex was checking up on him.

I bit my lip and frowned, as Alex looked at me, and his eyes darkened. I freed my lip and held in a gasp.

Was it hot in here?

It certainly felt hot with him looking at me that way.

“I have a proposal,” Alex suddenly announced. Lloyd looked as intrigued as I was, but this proposal wasn’t addressed to him. “I don’t usually share my art collection. But lately, I’ve been thinking maybe I should. Perhaps that’s something you can help me with? I’d love to have you in my home, Emma, to show you my art and maybe you could write an article for me.”

Lloyd jumped in saying, “That’s a fabulous idea.” But Alex ignored him.