Chapter 36
CHAPTER 36
JESSY
T he wind may be cold but the atmosphere is very warm as I experience shopping with a woman who sets the internet alight. We are stopped constantly by women wanting a selfie with her and gushing over how much they love her vlogs and envy her relationship with Luke Adams.
Every word is like a knife to my heart because it reminds me I am no competition at all. Not that I should even be thinking of her boyfriend, because he is Morgana’s and I’m not that girl . I never imagined I was, but there is something about Luke that speaks to my soul.
We finally make it into a shop, and as we move around it, Morgana sweeps several items into her basket with no consideration.
She grins as she adds a designer aftershave set and whispers, “Shopping is my greatest skill, Jessy. I know exactly what my friends and family will like and have it all mapped out in my head beforehand.”
She points to a well-known brand of aftershave and says with a smile of triumph, “This is Luke’s favourite. I mean, he’s so difficult to buy for because he has everything, but he gets through that stuff as if he bathes in it.”
She selects the largest one and adds a body lotion and aftershave balm to the mix.
“Steven prefers this one.” She lifts another well-known brand from the shelf and adds several other products into her basket and then whispers, “Stocking fillers. I have some great activity gifts already lined up.”
“Activity?”
This is so interesting, and she nods, obviously very pleased with herself.
“Well, Luke is a speed freak and loves nothing more than racing car experiences or skiing down the black run. So, for him, I’ve arranged grid tickets and a personal invitation from Mercedes to join their hospitality at the next Silverstone Grand Prix. He will be able to soak up the atmosphere on the grid and meet his heroes and then watch the race from the garage. It’s truly an amazing experience.”
I stare at her in awe because what the hell happened to giving someone a pair of socks for Christmas?
She carries on. “Steven loves collecting sporting memorabilia, and I managed to secure David Beckham’s number seven jersey when he won the treble with Manchester United. It’s signed and dated and everything. He’ll be so happy.”
She smiles warmly. “I love gifting, Jessy. It’s a pleasure to see the happiness it brings, but nothing makes me happier than spending time with my loved ones. That’s the best gift ever.”
“I agree.”
I smile, picturing my own family unwrapping their gifts at Christmas and the chaos that brings with it.
“What about you, hun, is there anyone special on your Christmas gift list?”
Her question only reinforces how alone I am, and I smile to disguise how much that bothers me.
“Just family and friends, of course.”
“So, there’s no guy.”
“No, just me.”
“What about that Scott guy who was going to play the lord?”
I shake my head vigorously. “No, Scott is like my brother. Even the idea of that is wrong?”
“I take your point.” She grins. “Is there anyone you have your eye on?”
“No.”
My face is heated as I lift a beautiful necklace off a nearby stand and admire it, hoping to distract my guilt away from the only man who interests me and she gasps, “I love that necklace. You should really get that, if not for a gift, for yourself. It matches your eyes.”
I note the hefty price tag and replace it carefully. “Maybe in the sales.”
I’m aware of Morgana’s overflowing basket, whereas mine has a box of my mum’s favourite chocolates and a book on walks in the Dorset countryside for Dad. Nothing even remotely as expensive or desirable as Morgana’s choices, which once again reflect how far apart we really are.
As we pay, Morgana spends her time in the line skilfully balancing her basket and her phone as she records something on it for her vlog and once we have paid and spill out onto the street, she says happily, “So, Jessy. What are your plans for the new year?”
“I’m not sure.”
I’m nervous even considering that and I suppose it’s because I may not have a job if Luke decides Granthaven isn’t for him and heads back to the city.
Morgana nods as if she understands every thought in my head and I only hope to God that isn’t the case, because then her smile would turn to a scowl quicker than David Beckham could curl one into the net from a free kick.
The selfie she snaps of us makes me feel even worse because she looks like a Christmas ad with her white fur and bright smile, while I’m just the awkward one in my red bobble hat and boring coat.
Come to think of it, Angie wasn’t wrong when she said I should shape up in that department. Spending time with Morgana only illustrates how far I’ve let myself go, and once again that doesn’t make me feel any better at all.
“What about Luke?”
It’s as if she slapped me around the face and I stutter, “Luke, um, I don’t understand.”
“What do you think of him?”
I am lost for words because there is so much I can say to describe him. The soft kind smiles he directs my way. The twinkle in his eye and the consideration he shows when I’m around. His gentle humour and desire to do the right thing, not to mention his astonishing good looks and amazing body. He is the whole package and I’m still searching for his faults because I have yet to discover any. He is the perfect man, for me anyway, and Morgana is the luckiest woman alive.
She doesn’t wait for an answer and says with a soft smile. “You like him, don’t you?”
I am now incredibly hot and gasp, “Only in a friend, boss, stroke employee way, of course.”
“It’s okay, Jessy, it’s perfectly fine if you do.”
The conversation I had with Angie is biting hard right now as I consider Morgana and Luke in an open relationship, and I shift awkwardly on the spot.
Morgana leans closer and glances around before she says in a low voice, “Keep this to yourself but Luke and I – well–”
“Oh my God, it’s Morgana!”
A shriek, high-pitched yell almost deafens me as a group of young girls stampede in our direction and Morgana straightens up and paints a broad smile on her face.
“Hey girls.”
I watch as they squeal their delight and pose for several photographs with the gorgeous influencer and ask her many questions that she answers with good grace. They say a crowd attracts a crowd and we are soon ten deep in delighted euphoria as the crowd grows while she attempts to keep everyone happy. I have my work cut out holding her bags and acting as some kind of security and wondering how she puts up with it at all.
It’s only when she says loudly, “Sorry guys, it’s bloody freezing out here. I must run, but remember to check out my Christmas vlog. There will be some coupon codes on there that you won’t want to miss.”
She blows kisses to her adoring public and as we head off, I’m left wondering what she was about to tell me before we were so rudely interrupted.