Page 73 of The Moon Also Rises
“I’m here now,” I quickly cut in as I step back from him. I spare a quick glance at Jake who is looking at Jamison like he’s speaking a foreign language. “Working in London. Doing events for the company that runs this hotel.”
“Events? Serious?” Jamison claps me on the side of my upper arm. “Fucking ‘ell you look good. Seems that whatever happened out there in the desert didn’t do you any harm.”
I daren’t look at Jake now, daren’t draw his attention to the inevitable pink in my cheeks and the way I’m gritting my teeth so hard I can feel every millimetre of my cheeks and jawbones.
“What are you doing here?” I ask quickly.
“Oh, also work. I’m recording down the road with Minx, you heard of them?”
“Can’t say I have.” I shake my head.
“Don’t look them up neither. Not worth it. Only one of them can hold a tune and of course she’s the one on the cusp of having a drug and drink problem so she’s nearly always five hours late to recordings. It’s been a massive waste of my time but I’m not complaining because I get paid by the hour, don’t I?” Jamison laughs and I try to laugh with him, I really try, but frankly I’m not finding anything about this situation very funny.
“How’s Louise? The kids?” I’m grateful I pull his wife’s name out of nowhere.
“Oh, a massive pain in the arse, all of them. They bust my balls dawn to dusk, but I fucking love ‘em. Couldn’t live without ‘em. You know how it is.” Jamison puts his hands on his hips. “How’s ‘Chelle doing? Where are you guys living now if you’re over here?”
“Oh, we broke up. She’s still in the States,” I say and it’s now that I become painfully aware again of Jake standing there witnessing this whole bizarre exchange with a chunk of my past I rather like him not knowing about.
“Fuck, sorry to hear that.” Jamison whistles through his teeth. “That’s a shame, I thought you two was the real deal.”
I’m not sure if it’s deliberate but that’s the moment Jake decides to make his presence known by clearing his throat, loudly.
“Oh, sorry, this is my colleague, Jake. Jake, this is Lyle Jamison. Jake is head of UK properties for the company I work for.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Lyle,” Jake says politely.
“Call me Jamison. Unless you’re my mother, which you probably aren’t because she’s been dead the last fifteen years.”
It’s almost worth the awkwardness to see Jake lost for words and it does give me a second or two to get my thoughts in order.
“Listen, Jamison, so good to see you.” I hold out my hand for him again. “But Jake and I’ve got a meeting and the client will be there and we don’t want to hold them up.”
“Will you be around all day? I dare say I’ll be back here by five as that’s when they all start getting the munchies. We could go get a drink. Catch up a bit.”
I do my best to feign disappointment when all I feel is relief. “I’d love to, mate, but I really can’t. I’ll be back in the office by then which is in the West End and tonight Jake and I are going for dinner.” The words tumble out of my mouth.
“We are?” Jake asks, sounding almost horrified.
I turn to him with a glare. “Yes, don’t you remember? You owe me from last week.” I know instantly from the way he slams his lips closed, he’s got the message.
“Oh, yes, that. Yes, I do owe Rami dinner tonight. Or actually, I think he owes me dinner.” He turns to me. “I seem to recall I went above and beyond for you last week so it’s really your turn to treat me.” He gives me an almost sickly-sweet smile. “To dinner that is.”
My smile is a lot less innocent. “You’re right, I do owe you. Last week was so good, I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I could do to make it up to you.”
For the second time in as many minutes, Jake falls silent. I turn back to my old friend.
“Jamison, good to see you again. Are you still on the same number? I’ll call you should I ever be in New York.”
“Make sure you do, Looney. It’s been too fucking long.” I get pulled in for another hug. “Pleasure to meet you, Jake.”
“Pleasure was all mine but tell me, how do you know—”
“Love to Louise and the kids!” I say and then place a hand on the small of Jake’s back and push slightly so we head further towards a reception desk.
“Who the hell was that?”
“I introduced you, Lyle Jamison,” I reply, possibly a little snappily.
