Tainted Love Series Boxed Set Page 16

  “Why don’t you look for another job?” he suggested.

  Zoe looked around for signs of Campbell watching her. The diner was a little quieter now but it was still full of people. She couldn’t stand around talking to Hugh much longer, even though this would have been the perfect time to catch up. She had so many things she wanted to ask him, about the course, about the types of jobs she could expect to apply for.

  She needed to talk to someone about her work. And Hugh was easy to be around, cool for a tutor, and since they were all adults, there wasn’t the boundary between teenagers and class teachers. She didn’t like him in any romantic way, but liked to run her thoughts and ideas by him now and again.

  “I’ve been meaning to, because I don’t know how long I can keep this up for, but I’ve been so busy with all the assignments you keep giving us.” She gave him a playful smile.

  “Listen, I’ve been thinking.” He got out his iPad.

  Zoe wondered what he was going to suggest next. Was she struggling again? Would this be another talk about her progress to date? Did he finally get that she couldn’t hack it?

  “My friend’s startup, where I consult every now and then, they’re looking for some trainee programmers.”

  Zoe looked at him blankly. “I don’t know of any trainee programmers.”

  Hugh gave her a quizzical look. “Yes, you do.”

  She blinked slowly, as if in a trance. “Who? Me?”

  Hugh nodded, and typed away on his device before meeting her curious gaze. “It’s not so much what you know but who you know.”

  She looked confused. He couldn’t be serious. How did he expect her to work at his friend’s startup?

  “I think you should give it a shot.”

  Zoe looked at him, dumbfounded. She’d only been learning about programming for a month. There was no way anyone was going to let her loose on their programs.

  “You can’t be serious?”

  “I’m totally serious.”

  “But I haven’t been doing this for long. I could so suck at this.”

  “Zoe, you don’t learn to code by listening to me preach on about routines and conditional ‘if’ statements. You learn to code by coding. That’s the only way.”

  She had all these big ideas about wanting to change things up in her life, wanting more, wanting better. And now that Hugh had offered her an opportunity, she suddenly felt unsure.

  “Don’t get too excited. I can’t promise anything. He asked me to recommend a few people from our course. I picked you—and one or two others, but I think they already have placements. And—”

  “Why?” She wanted to know. “Why’re you helping me?” Directness was a way of getting answers quicker.

  “Because you’re enthusiastic and hardworking and because my friend needs people who possess those qualities—skills can be taught. Traits can’t.” He stopped then shrugged. “I’m just bringing two parties together. Remember what I told you before, it’s more who you know than what you know.”

  “Okay,” she said, before she changed her mind. “If you could ask him. Maybe. And then we’ll see.”

  “Let me ask him. And if he’s interested, maybe the two of you could talk. Now, could I get that coffee, please?”

  She scurried away, reeling from the sudden turn of events. A couple of minutes later she came by again, with a smile and a large cup of coffee.

  “I think I’ll stay here and catch up. You have Wi-Fi don’t you?” he asked, taking a sip from the large mug.

  She nodded and went off, ready to serve anyone and everyone, because she suddenly felt full of energy again.

  Chapter 35

  He was waiting for Zoe—not literally waiting for her, not that she expected him to wait up for her—but because he couldn’t go to sleep until he knew she was home. Even with her longer hours at work, she was still really late tonight.

  He was already worried and wound up like an over-tight clock as it was. His father had called earlier, asking whether he’d thought about the new car dealership offer.

  He’d thought about it, a little, but he’d not thought things through properly—such as the finer details of how he could possibly work with Josh and still get along with him.

  Tyler didn’t like the way his father had thrown in casual remarks about him not being able to make his mind up and coasting along. He’d ended the call by telling his father he had to go and deal with an urgent matter.

  He knew that he didn’t feel comfortable thinking about it and that he was just putting it off. But right now, he couldn’t focus on car dealerships and family business. There were other things that drained his energy.

  He felt helpless to make life decisions now but maybe once this situation with Margaux was over, he’d be able to think more clearly. And then he’d figure out what to say to his father, and how he’d break it to Bailey that he wanted to leave.

  Maybe by then he would be able to deal with the idea that he’d failed at the photography, and that the only thing left was to go and work for his father.

  It was way past midnight. Exactly eight minutes past, according to his new cell phone.

  He couldn’t find his watch and he was sure he’d brought it home with him. He looked around his bedroom, in the living room and the kitchen. Maybe he’d left it at work. He tried to remember if he’d been wearing it when he’d gone to get a new cell phone.

  He couldn’t.

  He’d have to learn to control his temper because getting this new cell phone had cost him a fortune. Margaux had done enough damage. He couldn’t let her control his moods and temper the way she had been.

  He deleted two screens of text messages from her—it had occurred to him to bar her number—but something in his gut, some intuitive feeling told him to hold tight. Cutting her off completely might tip her balance even more. He was going to play the waiting game, hoping that she’d either get bored when he didn’t respond, or find someone else.

  When he heard laughter right outside the front door, Tyler’s breath caught. It was Zoe. But he heard another voice, a man’s voice, and worry turned to mild anger. He tried to contain it as he grabbed the door and yanked it open—just as Zoe had slid the key in to open it from the other side.

  She looked at him in surprise—finding him right at the door.

  But any relief he’d felt on seeing that she was fine and had come to no harm, quickly disappeared when he saw Hugh’s face behind her.

  “Hey.” She looked relaxed, happy even—he looked at her again; she was glowing and this only made his temper flare up more. Forcing his hands into his pockets, he smiled tightly at them both.

  Hugh voiced a restrained, “Hey,” and Tyler nodded.

  “Why don’t you come in for coffee?” she asked Hugh, who stood uncomfortably against the door, not daring to step over the doorstep. Zoe glanced Tyler’s way as if he were the one to blame. He stepped back, but hung around the hallway anyway.

  “Thanks, another time maybe. It’s late. I better go.”

  Zoe looked disappointed. “Well, thanks so much. Really. Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”

  What was she thanking him for?

  “Don’t let me down. Chris is a great guy—it’s a great place.”

  “I won’t let you down. Thank you.”

  He gave one last smile and left. Zoe closed the door and Tyler bristled silently, his curiosity spiking to an all-time high. That had been an interesting exchange, and he wasn’t going anywhere until he heard what it was all about.

  But Zoe didn’t even look his way, didn’t say a single thing to him and filed past, ready to go to her room.

  “Who’s Chris?” His gaze followed Zoe. Couldn’t she see he was worried about her? He’d waited up to make sure she got home safely. And now that she was here, he was hoping she’d stick around a while so they could talk. But she had no interest in talking to him.

  “I don’t get it.” She turned around, flashing eyes full of fury at him. “Why’re you s
o rude to him?”

  “Who?” Although he very well knew.

  “Don’t act so innocent. Hugh, that’s who.”

  “I’m not rude to him. What did I do?”

  “You’ve been cold to him ever since you met him.” Zoe replied hotly.

  “I hardly spoke to him!”

  “Exactly—my point.” She jabbed a finger in the air. “You don’t exactly make him feel comfortable. He’d have come in if it wasn’t for your huge skulking face daring him to take another step in.”

  “I’m not telling him not to come in.”

  “And you’re not exactly clearing out of the way either. You don’t see me having a hissy fit when your women come over.”

  Tyler stood patiently listening to Zoe’s litany of complaints. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the dude; it was just that he didn’t think she should be spending so much time with a guy who was her teacher.

  “I haven’t had anyone over in ages—not since you started living here.”

  Zoe glared at him. “Why not? I haven’t stopped you. And don’t think I’d care either, because I wouldn’t! You can bring all your women over and it wouldn’t matter to me.”

  He didn’t know what to say to that, so he tried to deflect the conversation. “So, was this a date then?”

  Zoe stammered, “What? Why do you care?”

  “Don’t come crying to me when he marks your paper down because you didn’t put out.”

  She pulled a face and looked at him in amazement. “You have got to be kidding me.” She was about to march into her room, when she stopped. “If I didn’t know you better I’d think you were jealous.”

  He laughed. “Of whom, you? Hugh?” He shook his head. “Oh, baby. You have so got it wrong.”

  He watched calmly as his words wiped that look of smug satisfaction off her face.

  “One thing, Tyler, just because we share an apartment together doesn’t mean you have to vet each and every one of my friends or get worried when I don’t come home on time. I’m old enough to look after myself. I don’t need you babysitting me.”

  Tyler backed away. “You’re right. I don’t have to worry about you.”

  Chapter 36

  Although it was a Saturday, Zoe had woken early and was at the library before ten. She needed peace and quiet and lately hanging around the apartment with Tyler was getting to be a drag. He was moodier than ever and all their conversations always ended up with them bickering.

  Especially after last night. What had that been about?

  Hugh had been a huge help to her—when he didn’t have to help her at all, outside of the classroom. But he was. And now she had the opportunity to work at one of the coolest tech places around—Billy would be floored when she told him. She was going to go overboard in preparing for the interview.

  Though the prospect of asking Campbell for a couple of hours off her shift didn’t exactly appeal. She frowned. Her work shift sucked up all her time like a greedy industrial vacuum cleaner, rendering her too little time to do anything at night when she returned.

  Weekends were her best bet for trying to stay on top of it all.

  Now with two assignments to hand in for next week, on top of her interview, she had more than enough to deal with. She sighed as she looked through the papers strewn across the tables. She’d taken up one and a half tables, and so far nobody had looked at her crossly or made her move.

  She really didn’t have time to go out this evening, but with it being her friend’s birthday she could hardly refuse.

  At least she’d made a start on both assignments; chances were good that she’d get them finished on time and as long as she prepared for her interview, she’d be good to go.

  Packing her laptop and folders, she picked up the photo she’d taken from Tyler’s room but which she’d forgotten to put back now that she’d finished with it. For some reason it ended up in her course notes.

  She’d scanned and submitted the photo online a few weeks ago to a couple of competitions. She had no idea about photography competitions and she’d picked a handful of the ones who seemed to offer the biggest prizes. Of course, she’d been stumped when it came to listing the camera model, lens and exposure details. She’d managed a quick look at his camera which was always lying around and did the best she could.

  So far, she’d not heard anything back. Even though they were both still at this rocky stage of their relationship, albeit that it was purely platonic, she wanted him to know and to see for himself how talented he was.

  Arriving back home around six o’clock, she rushed straight to her room to get ready. Her student friends had arranged to meet at O’Malley’s, near the Wharf at eight. She found herself looking forward to it; it wasn’t often she went out, and lately life had become dreary—all hard work and no play.

  Even the speed dating event had been a little dusting of glitter in an otherwise droll existence, but that now seemed a long time ago.

  She’d heard music blasting out from Tyler’s room and she wondered if he was going out with another glamour puss tonight.

  Dispelling the thought quickly, she rushed around, getting ready, wanting to make more of an effort, and not wanting to be late either. She still didn’t know many of the other students as well as they all seemed to know each other and tonight was her chance to make up for it all.

  Showering quickly, she settled on black cigar pants with a white turtleneck fitted top that dared to rise a little above her waist if she stretched. She threw a black jacket over it, making the whole outfit look way too chic. Shrugging out of that, she slipped on a long thin, cardigan, and rushed out of her room before bumping into Tyler, who’d walked into the hallway at the same time.

  “Going out?” He sounded surprised. Was that a touch of disappointment she heard in his voice?

  Feeling guilty but unsure exactly why, she nodded. “One of the guys from class is having a get together for his birthday?”

  He looked disgruntled, as though he was wrestling for something to say, then pursing his lips he finally said, “Okay.”

  She felt sure he wanted to talk about something and part of her wanted to hear him out since they hadn’t crossed paths at all today. The awkwardness of their recent conversation dangled between them like a silky web.

  He looked her up and down and now, under his heavy gaze, she felt a little self-conscious.

  Lately, she’d found herself thinking about him, his moods, the way she sometimes caught him unexpectedly looking at her, and the things he’d say to her. He’d been in her thoughts a lot more than she liked to admit.

  Catching herself growing conscious under his spell once more, she made the effort to move past him into the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

  But when she looked around her, she saw he’d been shopping, and had a little feast in preparation. Even a bottle of wine. She winced, feeling a heaviness settle over her.

  “Are you expecting company?”

  “Maybe.” He placed his hands behind him, on either side of the worktop. He was being moody again with his monosyllabic remarks. This was precisely the heaviness she wanted to escape from.

  “Who?” The word escaped her lips before she had a chance to stop it. She didn’t want to know, or care, or let him know it mattered to her. Even though all these things did matter to her. Now.

  He flexed his forearms. “I haven’t decided yet.”

  She thought back to all the numbers he must have at his disposal; they’d probably increased drastically after the speed dating. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

  He looked at her coldly. “Say ‘hi’ to Hugh.”

  She clutched the glass to her chest and gave him a searching stare. “I will.” Even though she didn’t know whether Hugh would turn up or not. For all she knew, he was probably going to spend the evening with his new girlfriend. But she wasn’t about to tell Tyler that.

  She walked past him to the sink and put her glass in the dishwasher, then left. And still he had
n’t said a thing.

  Chapter 37

  When the door closed behind Zoe, the pin-drop silence she left behind her reminded him all too sharply that he was home alone on a Saturday night.

  He’d tried to do his best to make it up to Zoe. He’d messed things up by making silly remarks about her tutor. But he’d been on edge lately, dealing with Margaux, even though nobody else seemed to think she was a problem. Lately, even the smallest of things would set him off. If it wasn’t his father, it was another cryptic text from Margaux, or a phone call. Work was no better.

  The only respite he had was from going out and shooting some film.

  He groaned as he looked at the food he’d bought earlier. What a waste. It had been his way of wanting to make things up to Zoe. He’d bought a homemade soup for her; the deli he’d walked past had looked interesting and when he’d gone inside, the mushroom soup had looked pretty good. He’d decided to pick some up for her knowing she liked mushrooms from her pizza toppings. And because she seemed to have an affinity for bread, he bought her one of those artisan loaves too.

  She was working harder than ever and it was his way of doing something for her. He’d mistakenly believed it might help clear the air a little, what with him behaving like a miserable little shit lately. He hadn’t meant to behave like that but things continued to build up. Something didn’t feel right and he couldn’t point a finger at what was wrong.

  He cleared everything away; he’d lost his appetite anyway, seeing Zoe dressed up like that.

  He didn’t want to spend the evening thinking about where she was or with whom. Especially since he didn’t even show up on her radar. This atmosphere between them didn’t seem to bother her. Maybe she didn’t even feel it.

  And since she didn’t seem too bothered with anything—going off with her newfound friends and making the most of student life—why the hell should he be stuck at home alone?

  She didn’t give a shit about him.

  Time to stop moping around.

  He strode into his room and rummaged about in his wallet until he found the scribbled scrap of paper with the Brazilian’s name on it. Hers was distinctive. Written on the back of a cigarette packet. He remembered that especially.