Page 98 of Another Lucky Number

‘Definitelynot, Amber.’ I burn with fresh embarrassment at the memory of my conversation with Sébastien. ‘He’s onehundred per cent married, and super loved-up from the sound of things.’

‘Huh.’ She acquires the same perplexed look as the last time we had a near identical conversation – only this time we have the facts and we’re sitting at a table for six in Zen Garden, the resort’s Asian fusion restaurant.

‘He did say that I caught his eye with my performance in the karaoke bar that night though.’ I waggle my eyebrows at her.

‘He liked your singing? That I find hard to believe.’

‘No, not my singing. Nobody “likes” my singing. Apparently, I have a shine that makes people warm to me. Anyway… how about we kick that issue to the kerb once and for all, especially as we have company.’

‘And because there’s someone here whodoeswant to sleep with you.’ James gives me a cheeky wink across the table and I turn beetroot.

‘Nice one, James.’ Amber fist bumps him across the table.

A smiling waiter approaches us. ‘Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Todd and I’ll be your server tonight. I see you’ve brought your drinks through from the bar and that you already have menus. Can I get you anything else? And are you ready to order or do you need more time?’

We confirm that we’re ready to order and he works his way around the table, noting down our requests before disappearing again.

Taking a sip of my coconut mojito, I sit back and let out a satisfied sigh.

‘I’m glad you’re OK about not getting the job, honey,’ says Cat. ‘You’re taking it really well.’

‘I second that.’ James smiles across the table at me. ‘Taking it like a champ.’

‘It’s funny…’ I muse. ‘I thought I’d be more disappointed than I am. I’m almost relieved, because if I’d got it, I’d be bloody terrified.’

‘I reckon you’d have coped way better than you think,’ says James. ‘From what I hear, you kicked the arse out of that presentation.’

‘She really did.’ Cat nods. ‘It was impressive.’

I laugh out loud. ‘I’m glad you have that recall. I can barely remember it, I was that nervous.’

‘Well, in that case, you faked it well.’ She slips her arm around me and squeezes me tight.

‘I’m certainly leaps and bounds ahead of where I was a week ago, and I have a new business contact in Sébastien. That’s something to celebrate.’ I lift my glass and the whole group toasts this.

‘How many days do you have left here?’ James asks me, while Amber and Tyler kick off a very mature discussion about phallic shaped objects in nature, with Cat and Rob watching on.

‘We leave on Friday morning, so three more full days, and I intend to make the most of them.’

‘Fancy spending one of those “full days” with me – on aproperdate? Maybe a catamaran cruise and some snorkelling followed by an evening just the two of us?’

I press my lips together to suppress my excitement. There’s nothing I’d like more than having James to myself for a whole day.

‘Sure. Sounds lovely.’

‘Great, I’ll get it sorted. Amber, Cat, you don’t mind if I steal Emma away for the day tomorrow, do you? Promise I’ll share for your remaining days after that.’

‘Knock yourself out.’ Amber barely glances at us. ‘I’ve seen more than enough of her over the last week.’

‘Hey!’ I cast her an unimpressed look. ‘Cat, is that all right with you?’

‘Go for it, honey.’ She blows me a little kiss. ‘Think you’ve more than earned it.’

‘You know, I think I have too.’ I lift my chin proudly, while James gets to his feet and reaches right across the table to plant a smacker of a kiss on my lips – this attracting whoops, cheers and foot stamping from our table mates.

Chapter Forty

After another delicious night of snuggling up to James, exploring every bit of each other, I wake up slightly later than usual to find he’s already in the shower. Stretching indulgently, I giggle at him singing away to himself.Thisis what holidays are about: relaxation, lying in, sexy men in your shower. Not intense interview preparation, nervous knots and sweating so much that you pass out from anxiety and dehydration.

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