Page 20 of Fake Rocks
Somewhat hesitantly, I went into the main kitchen. It was still chaos but appeared to have become organised chaos, instead of the mess it had been the last couple of days. I treated Tris to a shy smile.
“Morning,” I said, over brightly.
His uncle looked up at the clock. “Only just, love. Nearly midday.”
Shit, really?I wondered what time Tris had started work. I knew they’d arrived pretty early the past couple of days, but I also knew we can’t have got in until after two this morning. How much sleep would he have had? Did he drink as much as I did? What if he was feeling as crap as I was? A wave of guilt washed over me.
“Sorry about that.” I glanced around, seeing there wasn’t much space for me to make drinks or something to eat.
As if sensing what I was after, Tris spoke. “We can move some of this stuff out of the way if you’re wanting breakfast.”
“It’s okay, I can wait. Or go out. In fact, I might do that. Get out of your way.” I turned, heading towards the door.
Tris caught my arm as I was about leave. “How are you feeling this morning?”
I liked how his grip felt, bringing back some of the pleasant memories of the previous evening. Before I’d got too trashed to remember.
“Not great,” I admitted. “But I wanted to say thank you. You know, for getting me home safely and putting me to bed.”
A flush crept up his neck as he released my arm. “No problem. Anytime.”
“Hopefully not too often though.” The smile I gave him was genuine. The thought of him bringing me home made me warm inside.
“Do you always get so drunk?” A look of concern flickered across his face.
“Nope. Sometimes I’m even worse.”
His eyes darkened.
“Joking!” I held up my hands. “It was a weird night.”
He nodded, his expression lightening. “You can say that again.”
We stood there for a couple of moments, gazing into each other’s eyes. If it weren’t for the fact we had an audience in the shape of Jonas and Col, something might have happened. I don’t know what, but I think it would have been good.
“Saff, got a minute?” Jonas’ voice broke the spell. “It’s about Friday.”
Frantically, I racked my brains, trying to remember what was happening on Friday. Coming up empty, I drew my lips together and sucked in a breath, moving away from Tris. He went back to work and I headed into my cousin’s office.
“What’s happening on Friday?” I asked.
“There’s a charity dinner forRocciamagazine.”
Silently, I breathed a sigh of relief. For once, I hadn’t actually forgotten something, this was the first time I’d heard anything about it. “And I need to know about it because…?” I already knew what was coming.
“Given we’re looking to improve your image, I’ve managed to get you tickets. Doing good things for a charity for one of the morereputablepublications in the industry will give you no end of kudos.” Jonas shoved a sheet of paper at me.
I scanned it quickly. It appeared to be an annual event, with a dinner, an auction, roulette tables, and all sort of other general fun and shenanigans.
“My PA has booked you and Tris a hotel in Manchester. It’s about a ten minute cab ride to the venue, but she thinks you’ll like it.”
“Wait, what about Darren and Barney?”
Jonas shrugged. “Tickets were tight and in truth, you’re probably the better draw.”
Ouch, that stung.
“Hang on, what do you mean ‘me and Tris’?” I asked.
