Page 79 of Sparks Fly
“Plus, the best part...”
“What?” I whisper, my throat constricted.
“You get to work with me.” She flutters her lashes and a bubble of a laugh slips from me. “No, seriously, that… yes, but also, it’s your foot in the door. New jobs are always coming up in this job space. You never know, you could go for a PR job. Don’t let this dream shimmer away… Be brave Anaïs, for once in your life, grab it.Please,” she practically begs and I inhale deeply.
“Fine.” Excitement bubbles deep inside of me.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I laugh as she lurches towards me and pulls me in for a cuddle, my drink spilling everywhere as she does.
“Welcome to Saint Onyx, baby,” she screeches.
Shit.
Rue meetsus at the apartment so we can get ready together and have a couple glasses of the champagne that she brought with her. Alexandré calls us a car, and we pile into the back. Sure, we could walk, but I don’t feel like walking in heels. I have been in wedges or flats for most of the holiday, so wearing heels feels weird to me. The drive is only short, and Rue and Nora are talking amongst their selves. I am doing a photo dump of the last few days here.
“Fancy the beach tomorrow?” I ask, turning my head to face my friends.
“Sure?” Rue says, and Nora nods in agreement.
“Few hours before Nora has to hop on the plane home.” She sighs. “I don’t want to go back.”
“See, it’s Monaco.” Rue hums. “It has this effect on everyone.”
“Would you go back home?” Nora asks and she shrugs.
“Maybe one day, but for now, I have no reason to. I love it here too much.”
“I get it,” Nora and I say in unison.
“Would you move here?” Rue looks at me, and a wistful smile plays on my lips.
“Maybe one day,” I mimic her words and settle back in my seat.
The car pulls outside the restaurant, and we thank the driver. I climb out first, Nora follows behind me, and Rue slips out the other side. The driver passes me his card and wishes us a good night. I say bye before we stand outsideChez Pierre.
Nora suggested a couple, but they were the ones I went to with Creed. Honestly, I didn’t want to revisit them tonight.
We’re greeted and seated pretty quickly, and the place is busy. It has a nice ambience, and I find myself taking more photos than I normally would.
The waiter recommends a delicious white wine, and I only have one glass. I’m not about getting drunk again. I order the goat cheese and spinach salad to start, finishing off with the filet of sea bass and asparagus. Once dinner was eaten, we move to the bar where we have a couple of margaritas. I text the driver and arrange for him to pick us up at eleven and we agree to go back to the penthouse. Rue is going to spend the night, make it a slumber party to see Nora off. I’m sad that she’s leaving, but I know I’ll be following her shortly.
“Have you decided what you are going to do regarding the job offer?” Rue asks me, switching her margarita out for a cosmopolitan.
Nora gives me the side eye, a playful smirk on her face as she sips on her cocktail.
“I have.” I nod, licking the salt from my lips then taking another mouthful. “I’ve decided to take it.”
Rue places her cocktail down and claps her hand excitedly. “I am so happy for you, I really do think this is the right choice.” She tilts her head and gives me a small smile.
“Thank you,” I whisper because I can feel myself getting choked up.
“I can come and visit, make a holiday out of it. It gives me a chance to see the world, too.” She blinks through glassy eyes, and I know it may not make sense because I have only known her a short while, but my life is so much brighter since she came into it. I can’t even begin to explain how she makes me feel. It’s like I have always known her. I never get that awkwardness around her, never a moment of painful silence. The only silence we know is comfortable.
“I’m really going to miss you. Monaco wouldn’t have been this amazing if I hadn’t stumbled into your book shop a few weeks ago.” My chin wobbles and the lump in my throat is burning.
Swiping a stray tear away, Rue pushes from her stool and wraps her arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. “Don’t cry, you’ll start me off,” she whispers.
