Chapter 24 #2
“Oh my God,” she says, and I want the ground to swallow me whole. “Something did happen.” She slams her hand on the table and I wince.
Lifting my head, I look around me and lean across the table. “We cannot be having this conversation here.” I grit my teeth then sit taller in my chair as I call the waiter over for the bill.
“Oh my God.” She giggles, kicking her feet under the table.
“Stop it,” I whisper, my stern expression painted across my face.
The bill is placed in front of us and before the waiter can walk away, I ping my phone against the card reader. “Merci.” I smile politely, grabbing my bag and pushing away from the table.
Edel is hot on my heels as I start walking away from the marina.
“Hey, hey,” she calls out, curling her fingers around my elbow and dragging me back. “You can’t run away.”
I furrow my brow. “I know, I am just trying to get out of ear shot. Let’s go get a coffee then I’ll spill all back at the apartment.” I am flustered, but don’t know why.
I usually tell Edel everything, but I am worried that once I do, I’ll admit everything.
I’ll have to tell her something happened.
And that the feelings that I have pushed down to a place where they can’t be found will begin to bubble and slowly resurface.
I know I felt something for Royce, and this is my problem.
I’m blocked with my words because our platonic and fake relationship had come to a halt.
How could I write about something that I didn’t know?
He brought out the best in me, whether I had realised it before knowing or not doesn’t really matter anymore. He pulled back. He made the decision and I have to respect that. He didn’t want me in the way I wanted him.
My gut twists and I fucking hate it. Hate that for the first time in what felt like eternity, I had felt something for someone, let myself be vulnerable in a way I never had. I felt used. As if I was a challenge.
Shaking my head, Edel looks at me as we stop outside Cassa Del Caffé. “What would you like?”
I look up at the shop, it’s busy, quite a few people dressed in racing apparel and then I see a group all wearing Royce’s Saint Onyx tee. A shiver dances across my skin.
“Maybe we should—” Before I could even finish my sentence, I hear a squeal and wince.
“It’s Opal Bloom!” one girl calls out. She leaves her space in the line and makes her way over to me. Her little posse follow behind.
“Oh God,” I whisper, pushing a fake smile on my face.
“Is it really you?” She looks at me as if I am some kind of person to worship.
Edel is beside me, ready to swoop in and save me. “It is,” she chimes in and my cheeks turn pink.
“We love your books,” the young girl gushes and she fumbles in her bag. “I’m coming to see you tonight at amoureux des livres, but can you sign my book?”
For the first time in my career, proudness blooms in my chest. “Of course.” I take it from her and I smile, looking down at one of my book babies, my heart thumping in my chest. Brushing my finger across the cover, my eyes mist.
“Here.” She holds out a pen for me. Opening the first page, I scribble my signature. “Can I get a selfie?”
I laugh softly. “Sure.” I pose next to her, a beaming smile on my face and all I can think of is that I wish Royce was here. Wish he got to see how much he has helped me.
“Thank you so much.” The young girl steps back, her eyes flitting around the room. “Do you think Royce can win this weekend?” she asks me and I blink a couple of times.
“I have no doubt,” I say and my chest warms.
“He is our favourite driver.” She nods, all starry eyed before looking over her shoulder at the group she’s with.
“Mine too.” I swallow down the bile that threatens to creep up my throat. A sharp pain slices through my windpipe.
“Okay, well, it was nice meeting you.” She gives me a lopsided smile.
“You too.”
Her and her group move back to the queue and Edel is all squealy beside me.
“That was epic.” She looks at me in awe.
“Was it?” I whisper, my heart racing in my chest.
“Still want coffee?” she asks and I nod.
“I haven’t had my fancy coffee today,” I admit, nudging my shoulder into Edel.
“Come on then, let’s sort that out.” She wraps her arm around me and walks me towards the queue.
Sitting crossed legged on the bed, Edel stares at me, waiting for me to disclose all. I’m not ready, though.
“What do you fancy for dinner tonight?” I ask.
She narrows her gaze on me, soft creases appearing at the corners. “Don’t change the subject, you said you would tell me.” She pouts, sipping on her iced coffee.
“Fine,” I grumble.
She shuffles excitedly and I roll my eyes.
“So, you know you made the comment about my books… and you know, the scenes and stuff?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Royce said the same thing and offered to help if I ever wanted him to.”
She wiggles her brows.
“Things kind of moved forward and I sought him out.”
“I thought you said you didn’t sleep with him.” She stares me down.
“I didn’t!” I protest and she gives me a look as if she doesn’t believe me.
“Then what happened?”
I inhale heavily. “Everything but, I suppose.”
“You suppose?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “And maybe just the tip.” I cover my face, my cheeks burning.
“Oh my God.”
“I know,” I wail and she giggles like a teen.
“Was it a good tip though?” She smirks and I tilt my head to look at her.
“I don’t have much to go on…” I twist my lips. “But it was an exceptional tip.”
Edel is waiting not so patiently in the lounge area of our apartment. I am flustered. I don’t know what to wear and all I can think about is whether Royce will show up or not.
I stayed away from the track today. I didn’t need to be there, but it felt odd staying back.
My phone buzzes and I see it’s Maria; I should answer but decide to ignore it. I don’t have time.
“Come on, Athena,” Edel calls out and I sigh.
“I don’t feel like this is the right outfit,” I shout back.
I hear her shoes dusting across the tiled floor. She appears in the doorway, eyes skating up and down my body.
“You look fab, what’s wrong?”
I look down at myself. I am wearing a stone-coloured blazer with matching shorts and a black vest bodysuit. My feet are tucked into chunky sandals, my hair is down and curly, and I finish the look with chunky gold jewellery and large gold hoops.
“I don’t know. Is it enough?”
She laughs, full on laughs at me, until she catches my expression. “Oh, you’re being serious?” She scrunches her nose. “Babes”—she steps towards me, hands clinging to the top of my arms—“you look fantastic, and I am sure if Royce saw you tonight, he would want to put more than just the tip in.”
“Edel!” I screech, shaking my head as I step away from her and give myself a quick look in the mirror.
“You look amazing.” She smiles.
I tilt my head, giving her a soppy look. “Not as stunning as you.” I blow her a kiss and grab my phone and bag. Glancing down at the screen, my brows furrow.
“All okay?’ she asks as she walks from the room.
“Yeah, just I need to call Maria back.” I clear my throat when my phone vibrates and I see Royce’s name flash. My breath catches at the back of my throat and part of me doesn’t want to open it.
“You coming?” she asks, her voice floating through to the bedroom.
“Yeah,” I answer, rushing from the room to meet her.
We walk down to the lobby, her arm tucked through mine, and the apartment block is quiet.
Alexandre catches our attention, a soft smile pressed against his lips as we walk out into the warm sunshine. The evening sun begins to dip, but the air isn’t cool.
“Are we getting a car?” Edel asks as we hover for a moment and I shake my head.
“No, Rue’s shop isn’t far. I thought it would be nice to take a walk.”
“Fair,” she mutters next to me.
Edel talks for both of us. She doesn’t take it personally, she knows me inside out. I’m processing. I have never done anything like this before. I have no idea what kind of turn out Rue is expecting, but me? I’m expecting it to be just me, Rue, and Edel.
My thoughts tip toe around whether Royce will show. He said he would, he told Nora he would, yet I don’t believe him. He made it pretty clear what he wanted, why would he come out for me?
Inhaling heavily, we turn down the narrow alley to where Rue’s shop is, and I swear I feel my heart skip a beat. My logo and author headshot is pressed against the window, and my books hang in the display windows.
This is actually happening. What the hell.
“This is so exciting,” Edel whispers as we approach and I am glad Ana?s gave me detailed directions.
Pushing through the door, a small bell rings above my head. I step inside, my eyes roam around the pretty and cosy book shop. It’s bigger than I imagined.
A beautiful blonde steps out from behind a curtain and her eyes light up. “Wow.” She claps her hands together, walking towards me. “It’s you!” Her lips slip into a wide smile, and I wonder if her cheeks ache.
“It’s me.” I laugh nervously.
“I just want to say, I am so grateful that you agreed to do this. Royce was singing your praises. Big fan, that one.” She blushes ever so slightly.
“Is that so?” I nod, rolling my lips.
“Where are my manners?” she presses her fingertips to her brow as if she can’t believe she hasn’t introduced herself. But she doesn’t have to. I know she’s Rue and vice versa. “I’m Rue, owner of this shop and huge fan of Opal Bloom.” She looks at me as if I am about to disappear in front of her.
“It’s lovely to meet you. I’m Athena.” I hold my hand out for her to shake, which she does.
Rue’s warm like the sun, lighting up every corner of darkness. She’s comfortable and someone I feel like I would get on with, really, really well. Now I know why Ana?s and Nora are besotted with her.
“I’m a bit nervous,” I admit just as Edel clears her throat from behind me. “Sorry, Rue.” I roll my eyes, stepping aside. “This is my best friend, Edel. Emotional support buddy and soul mate in friend form.” I give Edel a huge smile as her and Rue exchange pleasantries.