Page 86 of The Vow We Made
17
Friends
I’m pretty sure I haven’t slept at home in at least two weeks. I can’t even use the excuse that Victoria’s place is nearer to work, because my journey is now ten minutes longer. The truth is, I would miss the warmth of her body and how her legs tangle with mine. I’d miss her always fresh with a hint of citrus hair and her touch, slow and delicate. I hate being without her, so I make sure as much as possible, I’m not. Of course, the way we wake by making love every morning before considering anything else is also a huge bonus. Yes, I did say make love. I’m sure I don’t have to spell it out, but I haven’t told her how I feel. Yet.
I think she feels lighter for baring her soul about the first love of her life. It kills me to hear he cheated on her but she didn’t go into detail, so I won’t ask. I’m sure she finds the subject painful enough without having to relive it all over again.
Occasionally I bump into Steph and Will on the stairs or in the kitchen. I’m sure if things were different, Steph wouldn’t put up with me being here almost permanently, but she has Will and he isn’t a stranger either. From the day they arrived back from Scotland, they’ve been inseparable.
Their relationship has made things easier and guilt-free for Victoria although she worries about her friends— especially Bronte and Faith who are now single, but loving it. It’s crossed my mind to set one of them up with Luke but what with Will and Steph being together, I’m not sure if things would become a little too close for comfort.
Talking of Luke, I’m in the middle of the city and on my way to a pub close to his office at the stock exchange. I’m all too aware of how shit I’ve been as a mate lately and we need to catch up.
“Here he is,” he bellows as I enter the bar and stride towards him. We shake hands initially, and he pulls me in for a slap on the back, a standard welcome. “How’s it going?” he asks.
“Good mate,” I tell him as I drag a bar stool across the wooden floor.
I’m about to sit when he catches my arm. “Watch yourself.” His face is serious. “Your ball and chain might pull you over.”
“Fuck off.” I knew I’d get it in the neck from him and yes, I’ll openly admit to spending all my free time with Victoria, but I’ll be buggered if I’m apologising for it.
“Guinness?”
He flicks his chin towards me in agreement. “Please mate.” I lean over the bar and shout our order. From the corner of my eye, I note Luke rubbing the black rings around his eyes and running his hands through his dirty blonde hair. Something’s not right and I’d be no kind of friend if I ignored the signals.
“What’s going on?” I ask. “You’re not yourself.”
He huffs out a laugh. “You have no idea.”
“I’m worried about you, mate. What’s up?” Luke looks like shit but I don’t want to be harsh. He rubs his eyes again. “What is it always about.”
“Not women trouble?”
“Yep, but this one’s a corker.”
“Is it the long-distance romance of the century?”
“Have you been talking to Georgie again?” he laughs, then adds “I’ve never met anyone like her. Smart, sophisticated—”
“What the hell is she doing with you?” I joke. “Maybe she’s just after your money.”
“She has her own, probably more than me to be honest.” At this point, he’s no longer sharing my joke and that’s when I realise Luke is serious about this woman.
“Come on then, who is she?”
“Her name’s Eve. She’s American,” he says between swigs.
“American? Where the hell did you meet her again?”
“On a flight to Dubai.”
“Don’t tell me you shagged her mid-air.”
“Please,” he says with open arms. “What kind of animal do take me for?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” I mumble under my breath but loud enough for him to hear.
“I admit, in the beginning, I was after a quickie in the bog.” This is Luke, and he wouldn’t be himself if he didn’t drop the odd inappropriate comment every now and then.
