Chapter 49
TASHA
Tasha gazed in disbelief at the photos of Erin and Riley together.
They did seem joyous and strangely enough as if they were a couple who had been together for years, rather than barely weeks.
She noticed that in the second photo they were kissing standing inside a heart shape someone had made in the white sand.
Her face flushed as she recalled how incredible her previous night had been with Callum, and how she had lost herself in the romance and sensuality of being in bed with him.
She wished it was her and Callum on that beach now, together.
Although as much as the depths of her feelings for him seeped into every second of the day, she wasn’t ready to jump into marriage.
She studied Riley’s face in the photo, hoping his feelings for Erin were real and not just another whim he had given in to.
‘I need to call him,’ she said, handing Callum’s phone back to him.
He frowned, clearly confused. ‘But you don’t work for him any more, Tasha. Do you think that’s wise?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ she said honestly. ‘But I do know him as well as anyone and I’m concerned about your sister. I can’t just sit back and do nothing without trying or at least finding out more about this for your mum.’
‘That’s kind of you. Thank you.’
She rested a soothing hand on his shoulder, thoughts flashing back to when she had kissed him there only a few hours earlier as he held her just after they had made love.
Tasha scanned the room, looking for her phone. Spotting it on the coffee table, she picked it up and called Riley.
‘Tasha? This is unexpected,’ he said, sounding smug.
‘I didn’t expect a phone call from you today.
I presume you’ve seen the photos.’ She didn’t have a chance to respond before he added, ‘Have you called to congratulate us both?’, his voice filled with amusement.
‘Because if you’re phoning about anything else, it’s too late. ’
‘Too late for what? I know you’re already married, I saw the ring,’ she said, barely able to contain her weariness with his tiresome antics.
‘I meant you don’t work for me any longer.’ He sounded like this call was giving him a lot of satisfaction. ‘I know how you like to boss me around, but my business is nothing to do with you any more.’
As if it did before? she thought but kept quiet.
He gave a sarcastic laugh. ‘I suppose I should be grateful to you, Tasha.’
Confused, she asked, ‘In what way?’
‘I almost certainly wouldn’t have taken this step if you still worked for me.’
Tasha clenched her teeth. How dare he drag her into this situation. ‘How do you figure that out?’
‘You would have no doubt cancelled the flights or simply refused to book them in the first place. You would have also insisted I take time to think before rushing into marrying someone I barely know.’
He was right; that’s exactly what she would have done. She also knew he would have taken little notice of her. But Tasha had no intention of being his scapegoat.
‘Are you trying to tell me you already believe you’ve made a mistake?’
He scoffed. ‘Not at all. I love Erin, very much, and I know we’re going to be very happy together.’
‘Then what are you saying?’
‘I won’t be a moment, sweetheart.’ He sighed. ‘That was my wife wondering how long I’ll be before joining her on our balcony.’
‘I did work that out for myself, thank you.’ She withheld a groan. ‘You didn’t answer my question.’
‘I didn’t, did I?’ He went quiet and she presumed he was having a think. Impatient to finish the call, Tasha said, ‘You must know this will have repercussions for Erin.’
‘Rubbish. If anything, being married to me will protect her.’
‘How?’ He was delusional if he thought that, Tasha mused.
‘She’ll have the protection of my team.’
‘What team, Riley? Dale is back in England and you need to find someone to replace me.’
He sighed angrily. ‘Stop being so negative, Tasha.’
Sensing he wasn’t going to entertain her for much longer and knowing Callum and Michelle would appreciate some answers, Tasha thought quickly. ‘What about Erin’s salon?’
‘She has someone looking after it. Her manager, I think.’
Not wishing him to ruin his second chance with the film company, she couldn’t help adding, ‘And what about the series, Riley?’
He didn’t respond straight away. ‘Riley, are you still there?’
‘I am,’ he said, his voice much gentler. ‘Thanks, Tasha.’
‘For what?’
‘For still caring what happens to me even though you can’t stand working for me any longer.’
‘Riley, tell me.’
‘Fine. We finished recording everything we needed, so I’m free for a few weeks to do as I wish with my lovely bride.’
Relief flooded through her. ‘Right.’
He didn’t speak for a moment. ‘And as far as Erin goes, you can reassure Callum that I do love her. I know us getting married has come out of the blue, but we had a long weekend when I wasn’t needed for filming on the last Monday of the shoot, so we flew to Vegas for some fun and ended up marrying there. ’
‘Ah, I see, so it was a flying visit then?’
‘As you probably know, the wrap party was held here, so we’re on the island and plan to have a honeymoon as soon as Erin has faced her family.’
Feeling slightly calmer, Tasha was relieved she had something to pass on to Callum. ‘I’ll let them know I’ve spoken to you and what you’ve said.’
‘Thanks. I know Erin is nervous about their reaction, especially her mother’s. She mentioned having quite a few missed calls over the past few hours, so this will make her feel a bit better.’
‘I’m glad.’ She thought about how frustrated Callum said his mother had been when she’d called him about the photos. ‘Maybe suggest she give her mum a quick call anyway, just to reassure her.’
‘Will do. And Tasha?’
‘Yes?’
‘You do know I didn’t mean it when I said it was too late, and that you can come back and work for me any time, don’t you?’
She sighed, wishing it was that easy. ‘Thanks, Riley, but I think we both know that’s probably not going to happen.’