Page 38 of Love Me Ever After
Ems had fallen asleep in the backseat. I glanced around every now and again, to make sure she was okay, and found myself smiling.
“What are your plans for the weekend?” Dad asked, carefully pulling out to overtake a petrol lorry. I was pleased he was driving. Despite my love for Mallorca, I didn’t love driving on the wrong side of the road in a car I was unfamiliar with.
“Just chilling out to be honest. We’ve both had a crazy time with work. Hanging out at the villa, eating and drinking are pretty high up my agenda.” I ran a hand through my hair and shielded my eyes, wishing I’d remembered to pack sunglasses.
“Don’t fancy a round of golf with your old dad then?” He gave me a quick side glance.
“Shame…I didn’t bring my clubs,” I joked. What was it they said about golf? That it ruined a nice walk? I had no intention of starting up the game, although Fraser had mentioned Robert Lane played a bit. If I was going to elevate my career, maybe I should get some tips from Dad. “Let me talk to Ems, I don’t know what she wants to do. We’re not here for very long and I’m pretty sure she’d hate me if I took time out of our romantic weekend to play golf.”
“Hmm. Best not let your mum hear you say that. I think she had plans to take Ems to the spa. She’s been looking forward to it all week.”
“Okay. Let’s see how it pans out.” I didn’t want to deny Mum any bonding time with Ems and a spa did sound relaxing for her too.
“What did I miss?” Ems yawned from the backseat and I turned around. She still looked sleepy; her dark hair pulled up off her neck.
“Mason and I were talking about golf.” Dad glanced in the rear-view mirror.
She screwed her nose up and directed her glance to me. “Really? I’ve never seen you with any interest in the game.”
I laughed. “Ah, but I’ve changed since I’ve been to New York.”
“Notthatmuch.” She dove into her handbag and pulled out a pair of sunglasses, popping them on her nose. “So glad I remembered these.”
“Yeah, I need to get some. I forgot mine.”
“Well, you had a few other things on your mind this morning.” A mischievous smiled tugged at the corners of her mouth and I wished I could see her eyes. “Still, we can go for a walk later and do some shopping.”
My overriding thoughts on ‘later’ involved finishing what we’d started in the shower, but I didn’t think it appropriate to say anything in front of Dad.
We fell silent for the rest of the drive, each of us lost in our own thoughts.
“Here we are.”
Dad pulled onto their driveway, one road back from the main seafront drag in Puerto Pollensa. Mum and Dad had owned the semi-detached villa for around five years. At first, it had been the ideal holiday home with a large living/dining area, three double bedrooms, each with a balcony that boasted amazing views across the entire bay, and a communal garden and pool. Then, when they decided to take early retirement, the ex-pat life appealed, they’d been here for the past three and a half years. It certainly suited me for when I needed a break in the sun.
“I’ll bring your bags in,” said Dad. “Go in and find your mum.”
Ems gripped my hand. “Do I look okay? I don’t want to show myself up in front of your mum.”
My gaze swept over her again, a rush of emotion flooding through me. There was no way she could ever show me up.
18
Ems
I’d managedto keep my nerves about seeing Mason’s parents again well hidden. When he and I were together, I’d always had a good relationship with them, particularly his mum. In some respects, she filled in as a mother figure. Whenever I needed advice, I had usually gone to Suzanne, not Jacqueline. Although all that had changed the moment Mason and I broke up.
“Ems!” Suzanne threw her arms around me, pulling me in for a crushing hug. “It’s soooo lovely to see you again. It’s been too long.” She untangled herself and grasped my upper arms, giving me an approving nod. “You look fantastic.”
Any nerves I’d been wrestling with evaporated with that greeting. Suzanne clearly didn’t have any ill feelings towards me.
“Let’s get inside and get you two a drink and some food. Those early flights can be a killer.” She ushered me inside and I relished the flow of the cooling air conditioning as I walked into the bright and airy living room.
Mason and Clive brought in our bags and took them upstairs. I followed Suzanne to the kitchen area and perched on one of the stools at the breakfast bar while she busied herself making tea. I stifled a smile. They may have been living the Mallorcan life for some time now but would always be Brits at heart. Still, as I’d have given my right arm for a cup of tea, I wasn’t complaining.
“How’s work? Are you still at the hotel?” Suzanne went to the cupboard and brought out a plate full of Spanish pastries. The sight of them made my mouth water. They looked a whole lot more appetising than the ones in the executive lounge at the airport this morning.
I didn’t think it would be good form to grab one of the pastries before Suzanne had offered me one so trying to get my mind off food, I answered her question. “Yes, still at the hotel. I recently organised a conference for Mason’s company, did he tell you?”
