Page 61 of Sparks Fly
“Long day?”
“Feels like it.” I turn around to look at the clock behind me and groan. It’s just after twelve. “Felt so much later,” I grumble as I stand from the table and close the gap between the both of us.
“How was your morning?” I yawn, the coffee machine beeping.
“Okay. I spoke to Nora, trying to convince her to come out for a weekend before the craziness kicks back in.”
“Yeah? What did she say?”
“She’ll see.” She shrugs to indicate that she isn’t bothered either way, but I know she would die for Nora to be out here.
Nora hasn’t taken sides in the breakup, and she will always be Anaïs’ best friend, but she works under Royce. She is hisdamage control. Royce takes priority over her best friend and always will.
Harsh, but true.
“Hope she does.” I speak my truths, and she just blinks at me, but her eyes agree, replying,I hope so too.
“Do you have much more planned for the day?” she asks as she twists around and reaches for two mugs, assuming I want one.
“Nope, free as a bird now,” I admit, falling into the bar stool.
“I’m meeting Rue at one, if you fancy lunch?” she says all whimsical and my heart stutters in my chest that she invited me.
“If you don’t mind.” I try and sound unbothered.
“Never.” She fills my cup and hovers the milk.
I shake my head, and she passes it to me before tending to her own.
“One o’clock, you say?” I repeat, just making sure that she definitely wants me to come
“One o’clock. I have some work to do so I am going to crack on.” She swipes her gear from the side and moves to the dining room to set up.
“I have calls to make,” I lie, not wanting to sit around and just wait for lunch to roll around.
Taking a mouthful of my coffee, I groan into the large cup before I slide off the stool and go into my bedroom and close the door.
Dressedin chino shorts and a polo, I walk towards where she stands, waiting for me at the front door. She’s wearing a black summer dress, thick straps cross her shoulders with a bow.
“Hey.” She beams at me as she opens the front door, grabbing the key card.
“Hey back.” Winking, I close the gap between us and try and compose myself as her scent fills my nose, and I fear I am intoxicated as it consumes me wholly.
Following her outside, I wait to see where she is going. Pulling her phone out, she checks it then smiles when Rue sweeps down the narrow path and tugs her forward, throwing her arms around her back, a huge smile on her face.
“Hope you didn’t mind that I invited Creed.” She looks over at me and gives a small smile, and Rue gracefully walks over and kisses me on the cheek.
“Never.” She smiles at me then links her arm through Anaïs as they start to walk ahead, so I fall back and follow their footsteps.
I have no idea where we’re going but honestly, I don’t mind. For the first time in a while, I feel settled, my mind feels quiet.
Walking into Le Perles De Monte Carlo, we’re seated on the deck overlooking the water.
The air is salty, the sun is warm, and I am in great company.
We’re handed menus and make quick work on our decisions. Bottle of white, lobster Thermidor and six oysters to start. Both the girls turned their noses up but I asked them to just give them a go.
My eyes settle on Anaïs as she sips her wine and talks softly to Rue.
