Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Ana?s
The week passed in pretty much a blur and to be honest, I was kind of grateful. Nora had been on at me about this job, and I said I would give her my decision when I saw her this weekend.
Which is where I was now, sitting at the airport with an iced coffee in hand, waiting for her to walk out of arrivals.
Checking my watch every few minutes, I’m anxious but excited.
I have made my decision, I just hope she will understand.
Lifting my eyes back to the door, that’s when I see her.
She looks as flawless as ever, with a small overnight bag, dressed in a waistcoat and matching suit trousers with chunky flip flops.
Her hair is styled perfectly and her make-up is untouched.
“Oh, my God.” Excitement courses through me as I run towards her, coffee still in hand as I cling onto her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and holding her tight.
“Missed you too.” Her voice is tight as I squeeze her small frame.
“You’re here,” I choke, voice cracking, and I hate that.
“I am. You can let me go, I promise I’m not going anywhere until my flight tomorrow evening.” She smirks as I step away from her, eyes a little glassy.
“Why are you getting all emotional?” She cocks her head to the side, giving me a sympathetic smile.
“Think I just feel a little overwhelmed,” I admit, running my ring finger under my eye.
“Bless you.” She pulls me back into her and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
“Car’s over here.” I pull away and point towards the blacked-out jeep.
“Fancy.”
“I know, right?” Smirking, the driver hops out the car and opens the door for myself and Nora. Once inside, she dumps her bag in the middle and settles back into the chair.
“Thank you for coming.” I turn my face to look at her.
“Never have to thank me, babes.” She clasps my hand in hers and gives it a squeeze. “You look really good,” she admits and a warm feeling spreads through my chest. “Monaco suits you.”
“I think so too.” I nibble on my bottom lip just as the driver pulls into the stream of traffic.
Back at the penthouse, Nora gets changed into something a little more comfortable before we make our way down to the marina. The sun is warm, and I am craving a margarita in the sunshine with my best friend.
“When do I get to meet the infamous Rue?” Nora gives me a look, and I roll my eyes.
“Tonight, at dinner.” I give a firm nod. “You’re going to get on with her real well.” I give her a toothy grin.
“I think I will too.” She grabs her bag and moves towards the door. “This place is…”
“I know.” I sigh. “I don’t think I want to leave.”
“I get that,” she admits as I open the front door and let her out before me, and once she is in the hallway, I close the door behind me and lock up.
Greeting Alexandré as we walk past, we start to walk towards the sea.
“What a beautiful place,” Nora admits, eyeing everything we pass.
“It is something, right?”
“Certainly,” she chirps as we walk up to the street before Rue’s shop.
“Come here a minute.” I link my arm through hers and drag her down the narrow-cobbled alley.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Just wait.” I hush her as we walk into the shop, the small bell chiming above us and Rue pop’s her head around the doorframe.
“Rue”—I drag Nora in front of me—“this is Nora. Nora”—I look at my oldest friend—“this is Rue.” I beam and let them suss each other out before Rue pulls Nora in for a hug.
“It is so nice to meet you. I’ve heard such wonderful things about you.” Rue beams, her hands pressed against Nora’s back
“Right back at you.” Nora’s voice is a little higher and I laugh. They break away and Nora steps back beside me.
“Just thought I would get the introductions and any awkwardness out the way before dinner tonight,” I admit, smiling at both of them and I can tell they feel uncomfortable.
“Yeah,” Rue agrees, placing her hands on her hips.
“Makes sense.” Nora nods then smiles at Rue.
“Where are you both off to now?” she asks as she steps behind her desk.
“Going for some lunch, then we’ll have a mooch. Thought I would show Nora Monaco before we go back to the penthouse for a couple of hours.”
“Sounds like an amazing day,” Rue says softly, dragging a stool out and taking a seat.
“Yeah.” I smile at my two friends.
“Why don’t you join us?” Nora asks Rue and she blinks a couple of times, then looks at me, then back to Nora.
“We’re going for dinner tonight. Honestly, you two have a catch up and I will just meet you later,” she mutters softly.
“Are you sure?” Nora asks.
“Yeah, I have to do stock take, and I would rather get it out the way now and hopefully close early. It’s been quiet today,” she admits and Nora nods.
“Okay.” She looks over her shoulder at me and my lips twitch.
“Eight for dinner?” I ask Rue and she gives me the thumbs up.
“Perfect, we will see you tonight.” I walk towards the door and Nora is close to me.
“See you later, Rue. It was nice to meet you,” Nora’s voice drifts over to Rue.
“See you soon, and likewise.” Her head bobs as she holds her hand up to Nora and me. I say my goodbyes and slip out the door, Nora behind me.
“Well?” I raise a brow, waiting for my friend to say something.
“She actually seems really nice,” Nora admits, resting her head against mine as we walk.
“Told ya.” I link my arm through hers and walk towards the marina.
We’re back in the apartment. Nora is sitting at the table working, and I am resting on the sofa enjoying the slow afternoon.
Lunch was delicious as always and once we were finished, we walked around the marina.
I ignored the way my stomach rolled at seeing Creed’s yacht.
Nora pointed it out and I gave a oh yeah, cool kind of response.
I didn’t want to tell her that I had been on it twice already.
We looked around the shops, Nora picked up a couple of keep sake bits and an outfit for tonight.
She assured me she didn’t really need it, but she liked it, so decided to grab it.
It was a cute two piece. I resisted temptation when I saw a pretty shawl and a nice bag.
I didn’t need it, so I used them for vlogging props.
We stopped for coffee and cake before having a walk through the market and picking up fresh fruit and pastries for breakfast tomorrow.
Nora’s flight was early evening, so at least we had a few hours in the morning together before she had to go home.
I am doom scrolling when I see a video for Saint Onyx. It flickers between Royce and Kai, both in their helmets with the text, It’s race weekend in Zandvoort.
My heart constricts. Hovering my finger over the share button, I resist and continue to scroll.
“Hey.” I roll over onto my front and pull Nora from her laptop. “Would you mind if I went live for a bit? Just trying to keep up with it all.”
“Not a problem, I can work whilst you’re yapping.” She sticks her tongue out then turns back to her work.
“Thanks,” I call out. “Want a margarita?”
“Silly question.”
“Okay.” I jump up from the sofa and make fresh margaritas.
We had to get the ingredients on our way in.
Salting the rim, I add a thin slice of a lime and walk it over to Nora.
“I’ll put the jug in the fridge.” A smile creeps onto my lips, and I bounce back over to the kitchen and place it away then grab my own glass and move to the living room.
Settling on the sofa, I cross my legs under myself and reach for my tripod inside my tote bag and set it up on the coffee table.
Hovering my finger over the button, I click onto live and it counts me down before it kicks in and within seconds, my viewers have jumped up and the comments are flooding in.
I sit and say hello and answer some of the questions, mainly about Monaco and my little trip. There was a couple of comments on Royce but I ignore them. I didn’t go live to go into the details about me and him. That’s private.
We both put the same statement out. I might share ninety percent of my life, but that last ten percent is for me.
It feels so nice sitting here, chatting with my followers. It’s been a hot minute since I was on here. I know I went live from the Italian restaurant but that was more to show the amazing musician.
Saying goodbye, I notice the minutes have slipped into an hour and honestly, I could have stayed on there talking all day. Tossing my phone beside me, I sigh.
“Good live?” Nora asks from across the room as she closes her laptop lid down and drifts to the kitchen, reaching for the cold jug of margaritas.
“Yeah.” I push up from the sofa and take my empty glass with me and place it on the worktop.
“You should go live more often, they obviously love it and so do you,” she suggests as she fills my glass and then hers.
“Maybe.” I shrug and take my now full glass.
“Ready to sit and have a chat about this job?” Her eyes lift over her glass as she takes a sip.
“I suppose.” I nibble my bottom lip and follow her back into the living room. We both take a seat on the sofa, legs crossed underneath us.
“What are your thoughts?” she asks, not taking her gaze off me.
“It is a great offer, and I know I would be really good at it…” I trail off and she smirks.
“Not to blow your own horn or anything.” She rolls her eyes.
“You know I would be, otherwise you wouldn’t have offered it to me.”
“Sure, sure.” She nods, lips turning down and sarcasm dripping from her tone.
“I just…” I pause a moment and look around the apartment.
This is not mine. I can’t stay here forever and as much as I earn well from what I do, it’s not promised. The income is not guaranteed. I have a few partnerships, but nothing that is actually mine.
“Look.” She swipes in, leaning across and placing her glass down before her hands are resting on my knees, eyes burning into mine. “Everything you’re saying is telling me you want to take the job.”
I go to interrupt, but she shakes her head at me.