February Again
You have received an instant message from:
JESY
Jesy: Do we hug?
Brian: Pardon?
Jesy: When we meet. Do we hug? Because I’ve been thinking about it and I don’t want that awkward linger where neither of us know what to do.
Jesy: So. Hug? Handshake? Cool guy shoulder bump?
Brian: We do whatever feels natural. And it won’t be awkward.
Jesy: How do you know?
Brian: I just know.
Jesy: Helpful. Okay, do we meet in the car park? Hotel? Side of the road?
Brian: Side of the road sounds practical.
Jesy: Brian! Okay, fine. Do we check in at the same time? Separately?
Brian: Using Morse code, preferably.
Jesy: You’re not taking me seriously.
Brian: Correct.
Jesy: Are you not thinking about these things?
Brian: Not really. The only thing I’ve thought about is what time to set off to arrive roughly at the same time as you.
Jesy: Oh.
Brian: Yup.
Jesy: Am I overthinking?
Brian: Yup.
Jesy: Are you nervous too?
Brian: A thousand times, yes.
Jesy: Okay. I’ll stop overthinking now.
Brian: Okay. I’ll start thinking a little bit more.
Jesy: Thanks, Brian.
Brian: You got it, love.
6 Feb | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: Today is the day!
I am swamped today so I’m not going to be around much. I’ll be clocking out at 3PM and heading straight from work. Should only take an hour. So, I’ll be there in plenty of time for you arriving. Don’t wait for me, though. If you arrive first, check in and we’ll meet in the lobby.
Better yet, the bar.
6 Feb | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Today is the day!
Deal.
First to arrive buys the other a drink. What’s your poison?
I’m so excited!
6 Feb | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Today is the day!
Jack and Coke. Double if you’re feeling generous.
6 Feb | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Today is the day!
Disaronno for me. Or Pernod.
Just buy me one of everything. Being absolutely shit-faced should help with my nerves.
6 Feb | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Today is the day!
Relax.
What time are you setting off?
6 Feb | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Today is the day!
About half an hour.
I know it’s stupidly early, but I can’t take much more of Thomas’ lectures.
Did you know I’m a whore? That’s his new favourite thing to call me. A step up from the slag of last week.
Jerry still refuses to speak to me which is a blessing.
Did I tell you they bought me a chastity belt? Thomas told me if I didn’t plan on having sex this weekend it wouldn’t hurt to wear it.
I promptly told him to fuck off.
Rachel being nicer?
6 Feb | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Today is the day!
I can honestly say that Rachel has been pretty silent about our trip. I definitely think she’s over it.
6 Feb | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Today is the day!
So, I’m no longer a bitch?
6 Feb | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Today is the day!
Pretty sure you’re still a bitch.
6 Feb | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Today is the day!
Fantastic.
Heading out! See you soon!!
1 NEW SMS
Hey! I’m here. Where are you? - Brian
Brian
I see her before she sees me.
She’s sitting at a table, chin resting on her hand as she looks around the hotel bar. From this distance, I get a moment to admire her, take in the sight of her right there in front of me.
She’s exquisite.
And my heart feels like it’s going to race right out of my chest. She’s wearing a dress, though thankfully not the one I bought her.
I’m not ready for that yet. Hers is a crisp, cream knitted number, hugging every one of her curves.
I desperately want her to stand so I can see the rest of her, but then her eyes turn in my direction and I’m floored.
Her smile robs me of any nerves I had as I move towards her without thought. She doesn’t hesitate, hopping down from the bar stool and making a beeline for me.
Just like I promised her, there’s no awkwardness. No second guessing. I barely have time to clock the knee-high boots, and the sinful length of her dress before she launches herself at me.
I catch her, supporting her weight as her legs move around my waist. My head tilts up, hers swoops down, and our lips meet in the briefest kiss before she throws her arms around me and buries her face in my neck.
I don’t know how long we stand there, just soaking one another in. It reminds me of the first time we jumped on a video call, unable to stop staring at each other. Her warmth against me is soothing. She smells like heaven.
And I am completely fucked, because there’s no way I leave this weekend without being completely in love with this woman.
“I can’t believe we’re here,” she breathes against my ear. I don’t trust myself to speak, choosing to nod instead. I carry her over to our table, ignoring the titters of amusement that follow.
Lowering her into her seat, I’m surprised to find a tear on her face, frowning as I tilt her chin, brushing the tear away.
“What’s this all about?” I ask.
She chuckles and sniffs, shrugging her shoulder and reaching for her drink. “No idea,” she says. “I’m just… so happy.”
I take a seat and nod with a smile. “Me too, Jes. God, look at you.”
She humours me, standing and giving me a twirl and my heart leaps into my throat. She may be one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life. And despite the coldness outside, and the cool tones of her outfits, her freckles pop against her pale skin, scattered across her nose and cheeks.
“Beautiful,” I murmur, helping her back into her seat. “You’re beautiful.”
“I’m grumpy!” she says with a sigh, pushing a stacked couple of drinks towards me, a beer mat separating each glass. Double Jack and Coke. Very funny Jes.
“I’ve been here ages.”
I glance at the clock behind the bar. I’m right on time. Exactly when I told her I’d be here.
“I apologise, love,” I say softly. “Next time I’ll make sure I’m here before you.”
You have received an instant message from:
ISLA
Isla: So? Have you fucked yet?
Jesy: Funny.
Isla: Not dead then?
Jesy: Nope.
Isla: Well, I’m glad he’s not a murderer. I hope he keeps being kind to you. Enjoy yourself. And I love you.
Jesy: I love you too. (And I’ve totally emailed you a bunch of stuff if, God forbid, I do go missing.)
Isla: There’s the Jesy I know and love.
6 Feb | From: Penny Robinson | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: In case I’m found dead in my hotel room
You have to be the most dramatic, practical person I have ever known in my life.
Do you really believe if Brian was going to kill you, he’d leave you in your hotel room?
However, I appreciate being pragmatic. I’m exasperated yet impressed.
Enjoy the pleasure beach in the morning.
7 Feb | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Penny Robinson
Subject: RE: In case I’m found dead in my hotel room
Rollercoasters awesome. Weather surprisingly mild. Fun? Off the charts. Having a fucking blast.
7 Feb | From: Penny Robinson | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: In case I’m found dead in my hotel room
Woah, calm down with all the details! You told me so much it was like I was there with you. I can almost smell the candyfloss. I can almost hear the happy screams of the riders as they make their way up that first incline.
You’ve such a way with words.
7 Feb | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Penny Robinson
Subject: RE: In case I’m found dead in my hotel room
Alright, Miss Sarcasm.
I’ve just had a shower, and Brian is under this insane impression that I need at least an hour to get ready, so I have some time to kill.
First of all, last night.
I don’t know why I was nervous, or why I thought things would be awkward between us. Right from the moment we clapped eyes on each other, it was just easy.
We stayed in the hotel bar until they kicked us out, laughing at absolutely nothing, talking a mile a minute about anything and everything. Honestly, my cheeks still hurt from all the smiling I’ve been doing.
But that could be because I’ve been smiling all day too.
He had me up at the crack of dawn even though the park doesn’t open until midmorning. He said a walk on the beach at sunrise would do me some good. I have to admit, I very nearly almost sacked the whole trip there and then, because what do you mean I have to leave my warm bed and go outside?
But the sunrise was beautiful and we walked hand in hand along the sand (ha, rhyme). That part sounds romantic, but I was a little bit hungover and the sand was uneven. The hand holding was a necessity.
Afterwards we found a little café and had some breakfast. Brian absolutely refuses to let me pay for anything, which is both very sweet and incredibly annoying. I’m hoping I can sneakily pay the bar tab when he’s not looking!
The Pleasure Beach was so much fun! But how can you not have fun at a theme park?
And it was here that I learned that Brian is a big ol’ pussy. In fact, I fear that when I tell you this, you’ll write him off completely.
So, it started when I said I wanted to go on Valhalla.
He enthusiastically agreed and pulled me to a stop in a queue.
I wasn’t really paying attention because I was just caught up in the moment, having fun.
But then I saw someone a couple of paces in front of us walking away with… Oh, God. I don’t wanna say it.
A waterproof poncho.
I know! I know, let’s just swiftly move on.
Once I gave him a stern talking to, we left the queue and hopped on Valhalla. And because the lines were short enough, I made him jump on it three more times as punishment.
And because I know you’re going to make some kind of comment, yes. He looks good wet. He’s grown his facial hair out; his hair brushes his shoulders. Yeah, he looks good.