Chapter Two
CHAPTER TWO
5 July, 7.15 a.m.
SAM’S PHONE TO VEGAS SQUAD (NAOMI, HUGO AND JASMINE)
Sam: This is to inform you that Timothy and I are no longer a couple. Please respect our privacy during this difficult time.
Hugo: What the hell is this?
Jasmine: Thought we banned drunk-texting in the group chat.
Hugo: It’s 2 a.m. in Miami. I was dead asleep. This better not be a joke.
Sam: Sorry to wake you. I’m not drunk. This is not a joke.
Hugo: Why do you sound like Buckingham Palace’s communication secretary?
Sam: Just trying to be frank.
Hugo: Stop.
Naomi: …
Jasmine: So this is real?
Hugo: OK! I’m up. What happened?
Jasmine: Can’t sleep. Always get nervous before a big trip, so don’t hold back. Tell us everything.
Sam: Nothing happened. Things fall apart.
Naomi: …
Hugo: Sure it’s over, gata ? Not just a rough patch. We all have bad days.
Jasmine: Couples fight, Sam. You get that, right? It doesn’t mean anything.
Sam: Thanks for the insight, but there was no fight. It was a clean break. We both knew it wasn’t working.
Hugo: Damn. You two were solid.
Sam: Not really.
Jasmine: What about the wedding? You’re still coming, right?
Sam: Just boarded the plane. First class upgrade!!!
Jasmine: Nice!!!!
Hugo: Where were you and Timmy planning to spend the night in Miami?
Sam: At a hotel near the airport.
Hugo: Screw that. Jasmine is staying with Adrian and me. Join us.
Sam: No thanks. I’m fine!
Jasmine: Join us! It’ll be fun.
Hugo: We’ll take care of you.
Sam: All right. Why not!
Hugo: Good. It’s settled! Text me the flight details. I’ll meet you at the airport.
Naomi: Nothing is settled! Sam! Are you serious? The wedding is ten days out. TEN DAYS. I can’t handle any drama right now!
Jasmine: That’s … harsh.
Hugo: It’s not like she arranged to get dumped just to give you a stress headache.
Sam: Who said anything about getting dumped?
Naomi: It was going to happen sooner or later. You two had lost your spark. But did it have to happen now? Couldn’t you have waited until after the wedding? I gave the caterer a final headcount last week and Timothy was your plus one.
Sam: I was NOT dumped.
Naomi: Makes no difference. You’re down a plus one.
Sam: I’m well aware!
Jasmine: Let it go! The food won’t go to waste. Someone will eat it.
Naomi: OK … OK … Letting it go. Sorry about you and Timmy, sweetie. I love you like a sister. You know that, right?
Sam: Love you, too. Sorry I messed up your seating chart.
Naomi: No worries. I’ll sort it out with the caterer. But no one else gets dumped in the next ten days. Got that?
Hugo: We’ll do our best!
Jasmine: OMG
Naomi: Is that really too much to ask?
Sam: OK! Time to switch off mobile phones. Bye for now.
Hugo: See you soon! Going to dive into a bottle of Absolut.
Jasmine: I’m going to cry into a cup of matcha.
Naomi: I’m gutted. I don’t know what I’m going to do.
Sam: Well, I’m going to order a mimosa. I could get used to travelling first class.