Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
Jade
There’s already a crowd outside the Met when we arrive. The foundation has attracted a lot of positive buzz, as have the big names attending tonight.
Famous surfers, of course. But also musicians, actors, politicians and socialites, all eager to be part of the drive to save our most precious places.
Excitement curls in my stomach as we pull up outside.
Phone cameras flash from the excited crowd, more flashes from the bank of photographers, while spotlights reflect off the clouds, the building lit up like a Christmas tree.
I get out of the limo first. It’s only right that I go ahead of Myles and Zara, so they can make their big entrance together.
I walk up the red-carpeted stairs, the pale green satin of my evening gown swishing around my legs.
I pause for photographs, pasting on a smile, even though I feel more alone than I ever have.
I asked Jasper to come with me tonight, as my date, but he wasn’t able to make it, away on a sports weekend.
But he’s not really who I wish was next to me.
A cheer goes up from the assembled crowd, and the photographers turn their attention away from me.
Myles and Zara have exited the limo, Myles holding Zara’s hand while she fluffs out the full skirt of her red gown.
It’s too much. Watching Myles smiling at Zara as though she’s his entire world makes me realise, even more than before, that Axel Black was not my rebound.
He could have been so much more. But now he’s gone.
I step through the doors into the foyer, which is filled with people in evening wear. I spot famous faces I recognise, smile at a few people as I make my way through the crowd. I need a drink.
Then I spot a tall, broad-shouldered figure in a dark tuxedo. His golden hair brushes his collar, and he’s leaning in close to a beautiful dark-haired woman in a sequinned navy-blue gown.
I stop dead.
It’s Zach.
Fuck. Why didn’t I realise he’d be here tonight? And whywhywhy didn’t Zara warn me? Panic churns in my belly and I turn away, pushing through the crowd towards an alcove which leads to the ladies.
I push the door open, and it almost hits a girl on the other side.
“I’m so sorry!” I pull back to let her pass. She’s gorgeous, another brunette, dressed in floor-length cream lace.
“You’re all right,” she says, in an Australian accent. Then she pauses. “Jade?”
“Uh, yeah? Sorry, do I know you?”
“Oh god. Sorry.” The brunette seems to realise we’re still blocking the doorway and steps back so I can come inside. There’s a room with a sofa and mirrors, soft lighting, then stalls in another room beyond.
“I’m sorry,” she says again. “I don’t know you. I mean, I know who you are. And that’s why I said your name.” She giggles, then, her deep blue eyes lighting up. She’s utterly charming and I grin, unable to help myself.
“I’m Claire,” she continues, holding out her hand. “My partner… He’s a surfer, and he always teases me because I know almost nothing about surfing. Which is why I was stoked to recognise you.”
I take her hand. “I’m Jade. But you already know that.” We both laugh. Then horror strikes through me. “Who’s your partner? “
Please don’t let it be Zach.
“It’s Bryce. Bryce Maylands. Do you know him?”
My shoulders sag with relief. “Bryce? Yeah. He’s awesome. Won the last Bells comp, didn’t he? And you must be the Claire.”
“He did!” Claire almost squeals with excitement. “And I am! But … how do you know who I am?”
“I’ve seen the work you and Bryce are doing with the foundation,” I say. “I was hoping I’d get to meet you tonight, as well as catch up with Bryce. He’s an old friend.”
“He’s waiting in the foyer for me,” Claire says. “Come out with me and say hello. Oh, unless you need to…” She jerks her head towards the stalls.
“No. I just came in for… I just needed a moment.” I’m feeling more relaxed already.
And I really should get back out there. Myles and Zara are probably wondering where I disappeared to.
I can avoid Zach. Or maybe I just need to face things.
Perhaps it will be better to see him in a crowd, at a public event.
I follow Claire out of the bathrooms, back into the foyer. People are beginning to disperse, heading inside to find their tables. Claire slips her arm through mine, leading me through the crowd. Then she stops dead. She turns to me, her dark blue eyes opening wide.
“Shit,” she whispers. “I’m so sorry.”
Over her shoulder I spot Bryce.
Talking to Zach.
They’ve both seen us. Bryce is frowning slightly. Zach’s expression is harder to read.
“It’s fine,” I murmur. “Don’t worry.” I manage to summon a smile from somewhere as we take the last few steps towards them. I need to face this.
“Look who I found.” Claire goes to Bryce, who pulls her in for a kiss.
Zach and I stare at each other.
He looks beautiful, though slightly thinner, more chiselled than the last time I saw him. I probe my heart, carefully, as though I’m poking a sore tooth.
But there’s nothing there. I care about him, of course, but that fierce love that first drew us together? It’s gone.
“You look good,” he says. Pain flickers in his eyes.
“So do you.” I’m not lying. He always looks good. But he isn’t mine anymore. I wonder whether he ever was.
“You’ve given up surfing?” His voice rasps.
I shake my head. “No. Just taking a break from it.”
He nods. “I hope that’s true. You’re too good not to be surfing, Jade.”
“Why would it not be true?” Irritation rises in me. I squash it down. I don’t want to make a scene.
He shrugs. “You seem to have given up on a lot of things lately.” His blue gaze is bleak, and I sense again how much I hurt him, leaving the way I did.
I swallow. “Not on everything.”
“Come on.” Claire has my arm again. “Let’s go look at the auction lots.”
Zach’s lips part like he’s about to say something, then he grins his gorgeous shit-eating grin. “Go on then, girlies,” he says. “Go and spend some money.”
I smile back, unable to help it. What a dick he is. I’ll always care about him, I realise. Always wonder how he is, or what he’s doing. He was part of my life for too long for me not to. But the part that drew us together is over. I can feel it, like a cut ribbon inside me.
It doesn’t really hurt, anymore.
Not compared to losing Axel.
Claire pulls me through a set of doors into another room, then stops dead. “Wow.”
Holy shit. Despite how crappy I feel, this is completely amazing.
One wall of the room is glass, looking out over the city.
Images of beautiful hidden places are projected on the three other walls; a pristine wilderness, a cave glittering with crystals, an ice-bound pool with water clear as glass.
Ancient stone arches sit at the centre of the room, tables gleaming with linen and glass and silver set around them.
There’s also a stage with microphone stands and a lectern.
The logo for Myles’s foundation bounces across the walls, the letters MZMF entwined in shimmering white.
The room is getting crowded. I spot Myles settling Zara into a chair at a table near the stage. More famous faces, actors and designers and surf stars, people from the fashion and music industry all mingling in the name of a good cause and a night out.
Claire pulls me towards a massive display which runs the entire length of the room.
There’s a spectacular silent auction tonight, part of the fundraising efforts.
I purse my lips in a silent whistle as we make our way along the auction table.
A Rolex watch gleams in a case. Baskets are stuffed with designer leather goods and high-end cosmetics.
There are photographs of gorgeous apartments, a private jet and even a yacht, the sheets below them indicating that the winning bidder gets the use of them for a limited time.
Claire squeezes my arm, giggling. “This is mad, isn’t it?” She stops in front of a gorgeous Hermes bag. “Right, I’m bidding on this. Always wanted one.” She releases my arm and bends over, grabbing a pen.
I continue along the table, idly considering the goods on offer.
I might bid on something, just for fun. I wander past more ridiculously expensive items, wondering which one to choose.
Then I see a curving sliver of fibreglass, beautifully shaped.
I flash back to a dusty workshop, the light feel of a board in my hands, the way it had seemed like a piece of the ocean thrown onto dry land.
A Black Axe board.
It’s brand new, the smooth edges untouched, no wax on the gleaming surface. And, if I’m not mistaken, it’s the one I saw in Axel’s shop the first day I met him. I thought it was perfect for me at the time. I still think it is.
I want it.
If I can’t have him, at least I can have this small piece of him. I can almost see his hands on it, so strong and sure, shaping the smooth curves. Feeling as though my heart is breaking all over again, I pick up a pen, scribbling a number that’s double the previous bid.
It’s a gamble, but I’ve always liked to take chances.
“Do you know where you’re sitting?” Claire comes to join me. I hope she thinks my eyes are bright because of excitement, nothing else.
“No idea,” I say.
“Come on.” She threads her arm through mine again, pulling me across the room. I don’t mind. She’s so nice, and it’s good to have another friend here.
We stop in front of a huge board edged in silver gilt with a seating plan on it. I search for my name on the list. I find it, under Table 1.
“Ooh,” Claire says. “You’re at the bigwigs table, with Myles and Zara. Shame you’re not sitting with us.”
“Yes,” I say faintly, even though I’m glad. As much as I like Claire, I know who’d be at their table, and sitting through dinner and speeches with Zach close by seems like my worst fucking nightmare. Thank God Zara did this for me at least, even if she didn’t warn me that he’d be here.