Chapter 17
SARAH
touch tank | quinnie
‘You still won’t tell me where we’re going?’ Abby asked, as they got off the train.
‘I did tell you. We’re going to get your engagement gift.’ They’d had the same conversation three times already.
‘Shouldn’t the person I’m engaged to be getting it as well?’
‘Trust me. He will.’ Sarah smiled cryptically. Abby frowned. ‘Come on. Have I ever led you astray?’
‘There was that time at uni where you made me come to a party with you because you liked a guy, and he propositioned us for a threesome.’
She’d been hoping Abby had forgotten that.
‘I won’t pretend I’ve always had great taste.’ It wasn’t much better now. ‘But seriously, you two are going to love this.’
They stopped outside a sleek, modern block of flats, and Sarah shot off a text. A few seconds later, they were buzzed in and making their way to the eerily quiet top floor, their footsteps the only sound echoing through the passage.
‘Have you brought me here to murder me? Because I’m thinking that would not be a great engagement gift for Erik,’ Abby whispered. ‘And truly, unless you manage to frame him, you’re going to be the first suspect.’
‘Will you calm down? We’re almost…here!’ Sarah knocked triumphantly on a glossy black door.
The woman who greeted them had a blunt red bob and lipstick to match. With an outfit made up of mismatched prints and topped off with a leather jacket, she exuded the kind of effortless cool that Sarah had, ironically, expended far too much effort chasing in her life.
‘Alice! Nice to properly meet you. This is Abby. She’s the bride.’
Alice’s demeanour was exactly as no-nonsense as the tone of her emails had suggested. ‘Hi, ladies.’ She ushered them in and gestured to the racks of lace and satin behind her. ‘Lingerie is sorted by size, then colour. Find something you love enough to wear after. It’s included in the session fee. Sarah, can we start with you so we get peak golden light for the bride-to-be?’ She spoke in quick spurts, barely seeming to need breath. ‘Pick something out, get changed, and I’ll meet you in there in ten minutes.’ She disappeared through a door hidden by a host of chiffon dressing gowns.
‘Sarah,’ Abby said, a grin peeling across her face. ‘Is this a boudoir shoot?’
Sarah reflected her smile. ‘I’m assuming you haven’t done one.’
It had been on her own bucket list for over a year, but she’d kept finding excuses not to do it. When she’d had the idea to book one for Abby, she’d finally decided to take the plunge herself.
Settling on a deep purple set complete with garters and a suspender belt, Sarah turned back to her friend. ‘I think you’re obligated to choose something white. Your fiancé’s heart might give out though.’
Sarah had expected to take some time settling into the session, learning to feel comfortable moving her body for the camera in ways that should objectively feel silly. But Alice really knew what she was doing. Quiet, slightly sensual music played as she walked into the room—a library set, the thing that had really sealed the deal for her when booking the shoot with Abby in mind—and the light waft of a citrus and cedar candle calmed her.
They started simple, with poses Sarah would have found entirely comfortable when clothed. She curled in a leather armchair with a book, reclined on a velvet couch she was desperate to steal for her living room, sat at a large desk with stiletto-clad feet propped on top, her back arched so a slice of sunlight could highlight her chest. With each click of the camera, she grew in confidence, so when Alice suggested she run her fingers down the valley between her breasts, head arched upwards and mouth slightly open, instead of the awkwardness she’d expected, she felt…sexy. Strong. Confident. Not enough to bare herself completely. But enough to unclasp the bra and hold it loosely to her chest.
Maybe that confidence was why, on returning to the bathroom to change, she opted to keep wearing the pretty purple set under her clothes. Why, before buttoning her shirt fully, she snapped a picture with the lacy bra peeking out the edge of the flannel. And why, as she sat on the couch waiting for Abby’s session to run its course, she opened her messaging app.
She hadn’t texted him in two days. Not since their unplanned movie night. He’d sent her a string of Pride and Prejudice memes the following afternoon. She’d ignored them, but only because that was also what she did with the endless stream of art memes he sent her way.
So it didn’t feel rude to continue ignoring that reminder of their everlasting phone call as she texted him.
Sarah: Are you home?
Alex: Still at work. Why? Miss me?
It was well past seven. And while she knew late nights were the norm for him, being stuck at work on a Friday night in summer felt as though it should be illegal.
Sarah: No.
Sarah: But I thought you might want to see this.
Sarah: [bra.jpg]
Alex: Oh shit
Alex: You’re evil
Alex: I have a video call with a company in the US at 9. I’m free until then. Want to come to my office? I’ll make it worth your while.
Alex: [Pin]
‘Who are you texting?’ Abby asked when she reappeared, fully dressed and slightly flushed.
‘No one,’ Sarah said too quickly, as if they hadn’t lived together for years. As if Abby didn’t know all her tells.
‘You’re grinning —’ Abby’s eyebrows were raised, but she broke off as Alice came through, the photographer leaving Sarah in her eternal gratitude.
‘Thanks, ladies. Those are going to come out looking stunning.’ She turned to Abby. ‘Sarah mentioned the time crunch given the wedding, so I’ll get the digital galleries to you in about a week. We don’t have quite enough time to get a book printed, if you decide to go that route, but I guess you could print some off yourself. I’ll send Sarah the information for some discreet printers. Sending your fiancé the link with absolutely no warning and watching him open it to find those photos has some merit too, I’d say.’
‘You can rush Abby’s through in favour of mine,’ Sarah said quickly. ‘It’s not like I need to share them with anyone.’
Abby’s eyes narrowed, not returning to normal even when they were in the lift, heading down.
‘What?’ Sarah said eventually.
‘You know what. Who are they?’
Sarah made one last attempt at innocence. ‘Who?’
‘I know what you look like when you have a crush, Sarah.’
‘I do not have a crush on him.’ Did she? She couldn’t. Didn’t need that complicating their situation. They were just acquaintances who used each other for stress relief and pleasure. And spent an hour on the phone together watching her comfort movie when she felt ill. She’d woken up in the middle of the night to find the call still connected—soft, snuffling snores she’d assumed were Celine’s accompanying deep, steady breaths. Sarah had hung up, but not before flopping back into her pillows, letting herself indulge in the rhythmic sound for a moment. Imagining it was next to her, rather than transmitting through a crappy speaker.
Shit.
‘So it’s a him! Good start. Anyone I know?’
Like Alex, she didn’t particularly want to outright lie to her best friend. But also like Alex, apparently she had no qualms about avoiding the truth a little. ‘It’s new, and it’s casual,’ she said, as they ventured down into the tube station. ‘We’re really just hooking up.’
‘Okay.’ Abby looked equal parts unconvinced and disappointed. ‘I’m just saying, you have a plus one for the wedding if you need it.’
‘Thanks,’ Sarah said quietly, trying not to look too uncomfortable as she considered why she definitely didn’t need a plus one.
When Abby turned to lead them to their platform, Sarah paused, checking the location Alex had sent her again. The address sounded vaguely familiar. ‘I’m actually heading to Central.’
‘On a Friday night ?’ Her friend’s shock was tangible. ‘You hate going into Central at the best of times. Hope he’s worth it.’
‘I’m here to see Alex Larsson,’ Sarah said, after greeting the security officer at the front desk of Alex’s building.
‘Is he expecting you?’ He sounded bored and slightly irritable.
‘Yes.’ Sarah rocked back on her heels, trying to look casual and not like she was there to be screwed atop a desk.
The officer sighed and dialled a number. ‘Larsson. Your girlfriend’s here. I think she brought you dinner.’
Sarah smiled, pleased that her idea to bring food as a cover had worked. Whatever was currently turning in her stomach was the pride of a job well done. Definitely not a reaction to being mistaken for his girlfriend.
Though the words were unclear, she could hear Alex’s muffled voice through the speaker. The officer looked her over again and said, ‘Uh-huh. Sure.’
‘Tenth floor. Office number five,’ he said to Sarah, when he put the phone down and returned to the game of Minesweeper she had spotted as she approached his desk. Extra-large board. Impressive. As she walked away, he muttered something that sounded an awful lot like, ‘Boy’s got it bad .’