Page 41 of Pillow Talk
Shona brought her palm to her chest.
‘Oh gosh. We were that loud?’
Sven nodded. ‘I really tried not to listen, but I couldn’t leave my boxes unattended.’
Shona started walking again and he fell into step beside her.
‘I’m sorry you had to hear that.’
He shrugged. ‘It wasn’t that bad. I take it that was the end?’
Shona nodded. ‘But it wasn’t a relationship. It was just a bad decision by two idiotic people.’
They reached the courier company.
‘Let’s get this sorted out and I’ll treat you to an ice cream to cool off,’ Sven said as he held the door open for her to enter.
Shona read the message twice.
We’re back. No jet lag, thank heavens. It was fabulous. Sam wants to take us all out for drinks tonight. Meet us at Trendz Bar at 6pm – or can we fetch you?
If she accepted this invitation, she would have to see Sen, but what if he brought his new girlfriend?
If she didn’t go, Anni would be upset.
Without thinking, she replied, asking if she could bring a date. Of course Anni was now even more excited about tonight. But Shona didn’t have a date. Sen was right: messy, chaotic, complicated Shona.
A few hours later, as they turned into the Trendz parking lot, Shona said, ‘Thanks for doing this, Sven.’
He parked the car and turned to Shona, a wide grin on his face. ‘I get to make the ex-boyfriend jealous, have a drink and enjoy your company. It’s a win-win situation.
Shona smiled nervously. When she’d approached him to be her ‘date’ she thought she was going to die of embarrassment. But he’d agreed immediately and it wasn’t because he wanted to hit on her; he genuinely wanted to help her. Sven was already in a relationship with a boyfriend, who was moving from Norway to Rally at the end of the month.
They got out of the car and headed for the entrance of the bar. Shona smoothed her black bodycon dress and tried not to trip on her new, silver stilettos.
It wasn’t called Trendz for nothing; people dressed up and went there to pretend that Rally had a nightlife. It called itself a bar but it was more of a nightclub. The second floor was dark and loud, while the first floor was where you could sit and have a quiet drink or order something to eat. Trendz was decorated by an out-of-towner: it had glossy finishes, abstract art and, naturally, overpriced drinks.
Sen and Kaavi had arrived 20minutes before and were already deep in conversation when Shona entered the bar.
Sen’s throat constricted and his heart pounded in his chest. Who was the man walking beside her? In the blink of an eye, they were at the table.
Anni jumped up and hugged Shona.
‘I missed you so much. I want to hear it all. Sit down, sit down,’ Anni said.
Before Shona could introduce her date, Sam held out his hand for a handshake.
‘Dr Sven Kristiansen, I’m so honoured to finally meet you. I’m Sam and this is my wife Anni. That’s Sen and Kaavi,’ he said, shaking Sven’s hand and pointing to Sen and Kaavi.
Sen stood up and shook hands. When his eyes landed onShona, he nodded and went back to his seat.
They were sitting around a large table in the corner of the bar. Shona and her date somehow ended up opposite Sen and Kaavi.
Sen unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up while Shona and Sven gave the waiter their drinks order.
‘I know the air conditioner is working but it’s very hot in here. Are summers always this hot in Rally?’ Kaavi asked.
‘It can get hotter but summers are the best here. Isn’t that right, Sho and Sen? I’ll never forget our memorable summers together,’ Anni said.
