Give Me Love (COMPLETE)

NINE

"Okay, okay, okay!" I repeated, leaning over to peck Will on the lips. "I got you!"

He narrowed his eyes at me. "What did I just say?" He asked suspiciously eyeing me down.

I flipped my hair off my shoulder and stuck my tongue out at him. "I'm not stupid, William. You told me to remember the dinner Leo's throwing tomorrow. I got you, okay?"

I wrenched the door open and stepped out. "And I'll make sure to buy something nice to wear. See ya."

A week had passed and Will was starting to mellow down after the entire Jason incident and I promised myself that I wouldn't go too hard on him since it was honestly overwhelming. But he was truly beginning to calm down and get back to his wise and charming self.

Tomorrow was Leo's annual work party, and it was usually hosted in a bar - and this year would be my first attending one of them. Admittedly, I wasn't too happy about having to put up with a drunken Will but I wasn't about to tell him not to drink. I know William, he would never in a million years pass up a free drink.

I would just have to endure it.

As well as the fact that I had no friends in Will's office.

I made my way up to Mr. Pine's apartment, eyeing the furniture movers with satisfaction. So far, he'd approved of all our changes - but I was beginning to think it had something to do with the fact that Ashley had picked most of them out.

"Hey, Mr. Pine." I greeted, offering him a smile as I made my way around a table in the doorway.

He shook his head, "It's Chris. What will it take for you to understand that?"

I laughed, "I like to stay at a professional level with my clients."

A man decked out in a grey painters suit caught my eye and I snapped in his direction to get his attention. "Hey! You!" He looked at me in curiosity. "Do you know if we can get this furniture out?" I gestured to the old furniture piled up in the center of the room.

He frowned at me. "Sorry ma'am, I'm not with the furniture area. But I need you to check the paint in the master." He stepped back and waved me over. I sighed, threw my bag on the kitchen island and followed suite.

The room was in a literal wreck. There were plastic sheets sprawled everywhere - on the floor, the furniture - and there were two men splattered in paint. I quirked a brow at them and when they noticed, they immediately stopped their horseplay and blushed.

"Working are we, gentlemen?" I asked, humor laced with my voice.

The shorter one cleared his throat. "Of course, ma'am."

I turned to face the guy who brought me in here and he pointed at the one wall that was painted a harsh grey in comparison to the stark white walls.

My lips curved into a smile and I gave him the thumbs up. "Oh! This is perfect!"

He smiled in relief, "Thanks, miss. We were worried about how colour changes under different lighting."

"Nothing to worry about here," I assured as I turned away. "Although, can we work on getting this gross furniture out?"

"Does that mean you'll dine with me?"

"No, I can't. You're my client."

"I'll pay you."

"I'm not a prost -"

"What's up?" I asked, hiding my smirk as I walked into the living room. Chris looked at me like a deer caught in headlights and Ashley blushed furiously, although I was terribly proud of her for playing hard to get.

"Fraternizing with the clients, are we, Ash?" I smiled, amused.

She laughed awkwardly. "Uh - Honestly - Char! Um," she stammered and I couldn't resist, so I let go and my laughter bounced off the empty walls.

I waved my hand at her. "I'm messing with you." I looked over at Chris and my eyebrows knit together. Wait, didn't Ashley find him attractive?

I looked over at her and motioned her to me with my fingers. "Ashley, come here?"

She dragged her feet towards me, her gaze cast on the wooden floor. "Yeah?" She mumbled.

I pursed my lips. "Why are you resisting? I swear you were flirting with him before we even set foot in this place!" I whispered back in confusion.

Her bright eyes widened and she shrugged. "I wasn't sure if you'd be too happy with me dating a client."

I gaped. "For real? Ashley, you're my friend! And he's a celeb! If you have the opportunity then go for it, please." I gave her a lopsided smile to assure her I was fine with it.

My eyes found their way back to Chris who was talking to a delivery guy. Our gazes met and I nodded discreetly. He perked up and smiled at me. "Go for it." I mumbled with certainty. She glanced up at me and threw her arms around me.

"Love ya!" She said with excitement.

"Yeah, yeah." I winked, turning towards the bathrooms. They had better picked up the jade tiling. I cracked my knuckles just in case.

*

My head lolled to the side. "I'm so bored," I whined.

Ashley rolled her eyes as she continued her rummaging through the clothes racks. "Honestly, Char. You've gotten lazy as fuck. We're supposed to be shopping for you!"

I snorted in a very un-lady like manner, although I doubted snorting at all was lady like. "Why did you have to pick a store as big as this one though?"

"Don't you want a nice dress?"

I shut up.

"That's what I thought."

My eyes zoned in on a gold dress she had hauled onto her arm and I pointed at it. "Can I try that one on?"

She looked down at her arm and smiled happily. "That's more like it!" She exclaimed, throwing me the sequined short dress.

Twenty minutes later, we walked out with a dress in hand. "Finally." I muttered, soaking up the sun.

She nudged me with her bony hip. "Don't complain so much!"

I shrugged. "This party is going to suck."

I looked at her for a response but she seemed to be in thought. After a couple seconds she realized I was watching her weirdly. "Oh! I'm sure it'll be interesting!"

"Yeah..." I muttered. "I'm seriously looking forward to meeting Leo, you know? This new influential guy." I mused.

I swore to God, if Will brought 'Leo' up once more, I was going to pulverize him the minute we meet.