Chapter 6
During the evening Angelia had heard all about Ezra’s family and how his younger sister, of whom he was clearly very proud, had studied medicine at Oxford and was currently doing a residency at a hospital in London.
His mum was a retired opera singer and his father a theatre actor.
They seemed like such a wonderful family – very close-knit and they sounded like people she would enjoy getting to know.
To top it off they had been left alone all night, no starstruck waiting staff – something that didn’t tend to happen at The Ivy anyway – no autograph- or selfie-hungry diners.
So, all in all, it had been a lovely date.
At the end of the evening, they made their way outside and stood around the corner from the entrance to the triangular-shaped building waiting for their respective drivers. It was a reasonably warm April evening, and the sky overhead was a deep royal blue dotted with tiny specks of silvery white.
‘I’ve had such a great time tonight, thank you,’ Ezra said, smiling warmly.
Angelia nodded. ‘Me too. Thank you for inviting me.’
‘Maybe we should do it again soon?’ he asked, hope evident in his bright expression.
She smiled, thinking that perhaps that might be a good idea because there was nothing wrong with this man so far, so the issue was no doubt all in her head. ‘That’d be lovely,’ she replied.
Two black cars with tinted windows drew up to the kerb simultaneously which made a few passersby stop and take note. Angelia couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling that accompanied occasions like this where she just wanted to blend into the background and be ‘normal’.
Ezra paused for a moment and then glanced around, clearly feeling something similar, judging by the serious expression that had replaced his smile.
He leaned in a little and whispered, ‘I’d really like to kiss you. Is that okay?’
Angelia wasn’t sure how to react but wondered if maybe it might help to make her feel more intensely for him, and she really wanted to feel something because on paper he was perfect for her, so she simply nodded.
Her eyes fluttered closed as he lowered his face and paused before his lips touched hers. And for the first time in ages, she felt absolutely… nothing? Seriously? What the heck?
After a brief moment, he pulled away and their eyes met.
‘Oh,’ he said and guilt flooded her as she noted disappointment cross his features.
What was he going to say? That it was like kissing a mannequin?
Because that’s sort of how she had behaved.
He cleared his throat. ‘Erm… Sorry but… Was that as awkward for you as it was for me?’ he asked with a crease between his brows.
She gasped and pursed her lips. ‘I’m sorry? What did you say?’ For a split second she was rather affronted by his bluntness.
Camera flashes illuminated them out of nowhere. Austin appeared and was joined by another suited man, presumably Ezra’s driver, who walked over from the direction of the other car, the pair then did their best to block the path of the intruders.
Ezra closed his eyes briefly, stepped away and held up his hands. ‘Shit, Angelia, I’m so sorry,’ he said. ‘I’m a total prat. I sincerely apologise for what I just said. I didn’t mean to be so blunt. You’re beautiful and I’ve had this crush on you for so long that I just thought…’
Realisation hit Angelia and she burst out laughing as relief flooded her veins.
He raised his eyebrows and shook his head, a half-smile on his face as if he was unsure what to make of her reaction. ‘I’m funny to you?’
Angelia pulled her bottom lip between her teeth for a second and released it with a cringe. ‘Oh God, I’m so sorry to laugh. But if I’m honest it’s relief. Because… I felt…’
He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. ‘The same?’
She nodded. ‘Exactly. I feel absolutely horrible admitting it because we seem?—’
‘Like the perfect couple!’ he said, holding out his hands.
‘Yes! Exactly!’
He covered his mouth with his hand for a moment and his brow creased again, only this time in disbelief. ‘Yeah, I felt like I was kissing my cousin or something. Ruby’s going to be so disappointed.’
Angelia nodded. ‘I know. I feel bad about that too.’
He smiled. ‘We had such a fun night, and we do have stuff in common. And for the record I think you are so beautiful. I just… there was no?—’
‘Spark!’ she blurted. ‘I know! It’s absolutely crazy to me because you’re handsome, funny, you have a close-knit family like I do. You’re creative and you understand the whole fame thing…’ She sighed. ‘It really makes no sense whatsoever.’
He sighed. ‘So, what do we do now?’ he asked, genuine concern in his eyes.
She held out her hand. ‘Friends?’
He took it and a wide smile spread across his face and his eyes crinkled at the corners. ‘Friends.’
More camera flashes ensued and Ezra stepped in front of her to shield her from the paparazzi that had appeared like stealthy spies at their location.
This time there were shouts of, ‘Angelia, is this your new boyfriend? What about your affair with Josh?’ And, ‘Ezra, what’s like dating one of the world’s most well-known rock stars?
’ And, ‘Are you two getting married then?’
They both ignored the barrage of questions and kept their attention focused on each other.
Angelia smiled up at him. ‘Look, I know this hasn’t worked out how it was supposed to but… I really would like to keep in touch. I’ve had a lovely night. Would that be weird?’
His eyes lit up. ‘I’d love that. We definitely have a great friendship blossoming here. I’d love to stay in touch.’ He held out the crook of his arm. ‘Shall we?’
She linked her arm through his and they made their way towards their awaiting cars as Austin and Ezra’s driver stepped in to obstruct their photo opportunities.
A few more opportunistic paparazzi had arrived now, no doubt attracted by the growing crowd. More photos were snapped as they approached their vehicles, the flashes a stark contrast to the hitherto otherwise dark night lit only by the stars and the fairy lights around the restaurant’s exterior.
‘Come on, Miss MacAuley!’ one of the photographers shouted out in a strong East London accent. ‘Throw us a few crumbs, eh? Will we be seeing more of you together? Can we have an exclusive?’
Angelia glanced up at Ezra and they both smiled but said nothing in reply.
Austin opened the door of Angelia’s car and Meghan sprang out of the back seat.
‘Hey boss! How did it g—’ She stopped abruptly and clamped her lips together when she realised Ezra was still beside Angelia.
‘Shit,’ she mumbled and then smiled dreamily.
‘Good evening, Mr Harwood, I trust you had a delightful meal.’
Angelia couldn’t help laughing at the sudden loss of the Welsh accent that had been replaced by upper-class English.
‘Crikey, Meghan, are we suddenly in an episode of Downton Abbey?’ She turned to Ezra who had remained silent up to this point and realised he was staring at Meghan.
‘Ezra, this is my… friend Meghan Parry. Meghan, this is Ezra Harwood.’
Meghan held out her hand, her face flushed cerise now and she did a little curtsey on the pavement. ‘Lovely to meet you, Mr Harwood.’
He took her hand and almost whispered, ‘Please, call me Ezra. And it’s… it’s lovely to meet you, too, Meghan.’ He swallowed and his face also tinged pink.
Angelia giggled. ‘Erm… I think we need to make some more arrangements for a date,’ she said.
As if suddenly snapped out of a trance, Meghan snatched her hand away and turned to face Angelia, eyes wide and face sapped of colour.
‘Oh yes, you should totally arrange your next date. I’ll wait in the car.
Please don’t fire me.’ She turned to climb back in the vehicle, but Angelia grabbed her arm.
‘I meant for you two!’ She glanced up at Ezra who was now only missing the background track of that old seventies song ‘Dream Weaver’ with the way he was making doe eyes at Meghan.
Keeping his focus on Meghan, Ezra nodded. ‘I’d like that very much,’ he said absently before turning to Angelia. ‘Shit, would that be really weird for you and me?’
Angelia shook her head. ‘Not in the slightest. What do you say, Meghan? Fancy a date with Ezra?’
Meghan glanced at Angelia with raised eyebrows and a distinct air of shock. Then, as if realising Angelia was serious, she nodded emphatically. ‘Yes, yes, that would be… yes! I mean thank you, boss, erm, Angelia.’
Angelia grinned. ‘Okay, I’ll make sure he gets your number. Now, can we get home? I need my beauty sleep, and I want to cuddle my dog.’
‘Sure, of course. Bye, Angelia,’ Ezra said. ‘Bye, Meghan.’ He said her name as if it was the best word he had ever uttered.
* * *
On Monday morning, Meghan arrived to pick her up for the doctor’s appointment, even though Angelia had insisted she was capable of getting there by herself.
‘It’s quicker if I drive you. And anyway, I can tell you all about yesterday with Ezra,’ Meghan had replied. ‘Oh, and did you see the news this morning?’
Angelia rolled her eyes. ‘The photo of Ezra and me kissing? Yeah, I did. Sorry about that.’
‘Pfft, don’t be sorry, the vultures will always make mountains out of molehills.’
Angelia arrived at the private clinic on the outskirts of London for her doctor’s appointment without much fuss, only recognised by a couple of passersby as they climbed out of Meghan’s bright sunshine-yellow Mini Cooper and her assistant ushered her quickly into the building.
When it was time for Angelia to be seen, Meghan stood with her and hugged her tight.
‘I’m right outside if you need me.’
‘Okay, thanks, but I’m fine, honestly,’ she replied with a smile before turning and entering the consultation room.