Chapter 48
CHAPTER
Since she’d been back in Melbourne, Elora had established a new routine.
Up at six, a thirty-minute jog followed by a shower and a latte as she settled in front of her computer to respond to requests for quotes and urgent emails.
She reserved the rest of the morning and afternoon for the creative stuff and scheduling posts for her clients, with evenings spent in front of the TV, eating a healthy, microwaved meal, and sipping a chamomile tea.
This structure worked for the most part, but one campaign she had to focus on would distract her to the point she had to play catch-up sometimes: Cruz’s Smashed.
While she loved devising innovative posts and videos to highlight the upcoming launch, she couldn’t stop the memories from flooding back whenever she did so, and, in particular, the way they’d parted.
She’d never had such a poignant, civilised break-up before. Not that they’d been in a relationship, but regardless, their farewell had been mature. And she couldn’t stop wondering whether she’d been too hasty in leaving.
It had been a logical decision at the time, but she never expected to miss him this much, especially considering the brief time they’d known each other.
Now this.
An email had pinged into her inbox a minute ago, from the Kinstead Avocados address. The subject line, Soft Launch, probably meant Cruz wanted her to incorporate photos into upcoming posts, but when she opened the email, it only had an attachment.
She opened it and her heart skipped a beat.
He’d sent her an invitation to attend the soft launch. Did that mean he missed her as much as she missed him and wanted to see her again, or was the invitation issued on a strictly professional basis, and he wanted her onsite to film and snap pics she could use in his campaign?
Annoyed that she’d probably spend the next hour trying to decipher his intention behind the invitation, Elora shut her laptop, relieved for the distraction of her phone ringing.
An incoming Facetime call from Bindi. They’d been texting regularly since she’d left, but this would be their first face-to-face chat.
She answered with a smile. ‘Hey, you. Long time no see.’
‘And whose fault is that?’ Bindi jabbed a finger at the screen. ‘You abandoned me way too soon into our friendship.’
Elora laughed, pleased to see subtle changes in her new friend. Bindi had lost the gauntness in her cheeks and her eyes gleamed with sass rather than perpetual fear. She seemed more relaxed too, her shoulders loose as she held the phone up with one hand.
‘How are you? How’s the job working out?’
‘I’m fine and I love it. We’re having a soft launch in a few days, and I’ll be a guest rather than serving, which is kind of nice.’ Bindi tilted the phone and patted her stomach. ‘Can you see how much weight I’ve put on being Cruz’s official taste tester?’
‘You look fabulous.’
‘I feel a million times better than I did a few weeks ago, thanks to you.’ Bindi blew her a kiss. ‘I’ll probably be flat out once Smashed opens, but when can I see you? Are you still interested in meeting halfway in Charlton?’
Done with making impulsive decisions, Elora’s gaze landed on her closed laptop.
She shouldn’t put herself through the pain of seeing Cruz again, knowing they had no future.
But the soft launch would be the perfect opportunity to catch up with Bindi, as well as get some great firsthand shots for the campaign.
Hoping she wouldn’t regret it, she said, ‘Actually, I just got an invitation to the soft launch. I hadn’t intended on accepting because I’m so busy, but it’ll be fun to see you.’
‘That’s great.’ Bindi’s grin turned sly. ‘I’m sure I’m not the only one who’ll be thrilled you’re coming.’
Elora could play coy, but what was the point? ‘How is he?’
‘Working manic hours, so he looks exhausted. But he perks up a bit when I praise his food.’ Bindi rolled her eyes. ‘Guys are too easy.’
Elora thought there was nothing easy about Cruz. He was the most enigmatic man she’d ever met, his broodiness part of his charm. But she didn’t need Bindi encouraging her to think his invitation meant more than a way for her to boost his new business’s profile, so she’d play it down.
‘I’ll probably drive up the day of the launch, so I’ll be there about five.’
‘That’s cutting it fine. The dinner starts at six.’
‘Like I said, loads to do.’ And she didn’t want to have any time to bolt beforehand if she thought she’d made a mistake in accepting the invitation. ‘Really looking forward to seeing you.’
‘Me too.’ Bindi leaned closer to her phone.
‘I meant what I said earlier. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me.
I finally feel like a valued member of society again.
’ She reddened. ‘And I’ve put my name down on a waiting list to see a psychologist at the community health centre. ’
‘That’s great. I’m so proud of you.’
Bindi rolled her eyes again, but Elora could see how pleased the comment made her as she squared her shoulders.
‘See you soon.’
Bindi waved and after Elora returned it, she hung up.
Thanks to some not so gentle persuasion from her friend, it looked like she’d be returning to Rosevale Grove.