Page 45 of Enchanted

“Flirt.” I laughed, but the sound faded fast as something occurred to me. “We don’t have to do this today if Sam’s not feeling great. We can reschedule.”

I hated the disappointment that grew in my chest even as I suggested it. I’d been up since 6 a.m., buzzing with ideas for today’s shoot. Even the cold sheets beside me hadn’t been enough to put a damper on my good mood.

But the thought of returning to my empty house? To the silence and loneliness?

That had it souring.

“Thank you, but it’s fine,” Rami said. I exhaled in relief as he continued. “Sam has a good handle on his condition and Ez knows exactly what he needs. Between the two of them, they’ll have him in a good space in no time.”

“I’m glad he has Ez to take care of him.”

Rami’s brow furrowed. “Why wouldn’t he? Didn’t you know they were together?”

“Oh, I did,” I said hastily. “It’s just, well, not everyone’s partner is good when they’re unwell. It’s not easy for some people to know how to be supportive.”

The giant man beside me was silent for so long that I thought he wasn’t going to say anything. When he did, his words were simple. “It’s easy if you love that person.”

I sucked in a breath and turned my head to pretend I was looking at the world whizzing by, but in reality, I was hiding my reaction.

Was he right? Was it really that simple?

“We’re here.” Rami’s deep baritone had me realising that I’d been lost in my thoughts, spiralling. Long enough for the entire journey to pass, apparently. “Are you okay, Ethan?”

“Yes.” I showed far too many of my teeth in my eagerness to demonstrate how okay I was. From the narrowing of Rami’s eyes, I’d definitely oversold it. “I’m great. Excited for today’s shoot.”

He flicked the engine off. “Me too. I’m glad you could come back so soon.”

“I’m glad you could fit me in so soon.”

Rami. “Look how glad we both are. Very British of us.”

I laughed as I tried to help him lift my bags out. He shooed me off with a sharp tut, slinging all of my equipment over his shoulders with ease.

“It’s funny how my Britishness never really left me, even with all those years in California.”

“You’re telling me you didn’t microwave your tea while you were there?”

I poked him in the ribs. “How dare you. Take that back. I took my kettle in my carry-on, thank you very much.”

Rami’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Surprised they didn’t confiscate that at customs.”

“I had to smuggle it through,” I said solemnly. “The kettle wasn’t an issue, but hiding the teabags in my bum? That was a problem.”

Rami’s laughter echoed off the marble floor of the foyer. “Brings a whole new meaning to the colour of your tea.”

“Eww, gross.”

He smirked at me over his shoulder. “You started it.”

I followed him into a room I hadn’t seen yesterday and let out a low whistle. “Wow, you guys really do have everything.”

It was true. This gym rivalled any I’d seen on the high street. There was every piece of exercise equipment imaginable in here, as well as several I didn’t recognise.

Rami carefully put my bags on the floor. I was touched at the consideration he showed for my gear. “Guess so. This room gets a lot of use.”

My eyes lingered on his biceps. “I can see that.”

He grinned. “Now who’s the flirt?”