7
AN EVENING TO FORGET
As planned, that evening, I attended dinner with Ivy and her parents. Carol and Mark had returned home from a couple’s retreat that afternoon, just as we had put the house back together, talk about timing. Their week had consisted of a wellbeing spa treatment followed by yoga on the beach overlooking the crystal blue sea, and evening strolls hand in hand along the white sandy beach at sunset. The photos looked incredible.
We helped Carol prepare dinner as we both updated her on our week, the current wedding plans and the evening we’d had yesterday. Ivy had also mentioned that Nate popped by this morning, Carol’s face lit up at his name but slowly faded, like a painful memory. I wasn’t sure of the ins and outs and to be honest, it wasn’t my place, but it was obvious this family rift ran deeper than I thought. Mark set the table, bringing out the serving dishes full of food, ready to help ourselves, and poured some champagne that his job had gifted them for their anniversary.
Her parents always made me feel welcome, they were a second family to me. It made me feel incredibly lucky that they treated me like a daughter too. We took our seats at the large family oak table in the separate dining room, taking a serving of everything and began to eat together. A soft playlist in the background filling the silence between topics.
“So, Ivy told me you had a brief holiday hook-up,” Carol chuckled, raising her eyebrows, impressed. I almost choked on my food. I knew Ivy and her Mum were like best friends and it was harmless, but it took me by surprise.
The resemblance between Ivy and her Mum was very clear. It was like Carol was an older sister, but they also shared stories. If Ivy needed any advice, Carol was there. Ivy apologised to me, not realising her Mum would share this conversation. I chuckled; I honestly didn’t mind. Carol was like a second Mum to me but given the recent revelation, I kind of wanted to leave this topic in the past.
“That’s true. I was away for work and I met him at the bar,” I smiled, keeping it as vague as possible. Carol knew this wasn’t my usual behaviour so, just like Ivy, she was intrigued.
“Oh, I see, what was he like? Was he handsome?” She leaned in a little, studying me as she took a sip from her champagne.
“Yeah, he was,” I smiled, as I thought about the interaction I’d had with him this morning. I copied her actions, drinking from my own glass.
“The best sex of her life,” Ivy boasted, I choked on my drink again. I kicked her leg under the table to signal her to stop.
“Ouch!”
“Really? I want details,” her mother chimed.
Mark cleared his throat at his wife; we had completely forgotten that he was there. It felt like a girl’s night. I shook my head, chuckling at the teenage girl behaviour displayed between Ivy and her mum. I needed to change the subject, and fast as my anxiety bubbled.
“No, I don't kiss and tell,” I said, smirking and sipping my drink trying to end this conversation. I was not about to tell them intimate details about their own family member.
“That good huh?” Carol chimed. I nodded in agreement and that was all they were going to get.
“Did you get his name?”
“No,” I half-lied. I didn’t at the time but finding out his name just this morning, I couldn’t disclose that without the can of worms opening. Carol looked shocked.
“That's why we call him Mr Barcelona,” Ivy sang, rolling the nickname off her tongue seductively as she sank back in her chair, taking a swig of champagne.
Just then I felt heat on my back, I didn't want to turn around. I knew who was standing against the door frame but I wasn't sure how long he had been standing there. Not knowing how much he had heard and not wanting to add to his already gigantic ego.
“Mr Barcelona?” He asked, clearly amused. My face went bright red as I turned to face him, thankful that the champagne glass was in my hand so I could take a sip and conceal my embarrassment.
“Nate!” Carol jumped up from the table, running towards him, placing her hands on his cheeks and pulling him close. Just like earlier with Ivy, his frame engulfed hers.
“Happy Anniversary, Mum” he smiled, and gifted her a long blue velvet box, inside was a gold-plated tennis bracelet with rubies. It was tradition for a 40th wedding anniversary, also known as a Ruby anniversary, to be gifted with something that resembled that stone. Her eyes welled up at the gesture. He kissed her cheek as she hugged him tightly against her. She closed the gift box and rested it on the windowsill.
“Come, stay for dinner.” She invited; she placed him in the seat beside me. “Have you met Gigi?” She reintroduced us as she set a place for him.
“I have already had the pleasure,” he smiled, looking in my direction, that subtle flirtatious tone, just like he did this morning. His deeper meaning to the word pleasure made my hands a little clammy. At least this time I actually looked presentable; blue jeans, a white knitted jumper, my hair pulled into a ponytail with subtle makeup, He raised an eyebrow for a split second.
“Are you sure Dad will be okay with this?” He whispered, looking up to his mother, I could feel the controlled exterior he held every other time he had been in my orbit becoming a little disorientated, kind of an uneasy feeling.
“Leave your father to me, my sweet boy,” she whispered, stroking his cheek and kissing the top of his head. Mark sighed and continued to eat his dinner, as Carol brought a clean plate for Nate before returning to hers.
After dinner, Carol and Ivy cleared the table and went to do the dishes. Mark left the room quickly to watch a game, leaving Nate and I alone. Tension between Mark and Nate was a little high and anyone within a twenty-five-mile radius could feel this; it was like a radiation minefield. I think for the sake of the anniversary and me being present, no words were spoken between them.
I reached for my glass, trying not to make any eye contact with Nate. I didn’t know what to say or how to act. I had questions, but I was also afraid of the answers, or of Ivy overhearing us. He made the first move; he placed a hand on the small of my back and leaned his body into me so he could talk in my ear. His scent suffocated me, making my brain foggy. My breathing hitched at the touch of his hand, the touch I had desired since that night was real.
“Mr Barcelona,” he chuckled. “Creative,” he smirked, before pulling back, studying me. I fought to keep my composure.
“You’re Ivy's brother?” I whisper shouted, still annoyed that this was the situation. I took a breath, regaining my self control after my outburst. “How did this happen?” It was more of a statement than a question, but this perfect, egotistical specimen answered it anyway; sarcastically.
“With a lot of alcohol, kissing and you know the rest,” he teased, flirting, his eyes roamed my face as he twirled the curl of hair that rested by my face in between his fingers. This was dangerous.
“This isn't funny, Nate,” I said, getting annoyed and slapping his hand away.
“I find it hilarious! I finally got your name,” he smiled, pushing himself away from the table as he leaned over, whispering in my ear. “I like the way you say my name.”
Composing himself, the gentleman fa?ade, he cleared his throat, straightening that damn suit before going to help his Mum and Ivy in the kitchen. As he walked past me, his energy consumed me, his scent lingering over me, forcing me into a trance. My heart hammered in my chest, my cheeks flushed and my breath hitched. The memories of that night were triggered by the familiar comforting scent of his cologne, taking me back to the night of him kissing my neck. Get it together Gi! Nate was affecting me more than I wanted him to and I needed to put a stop to this. This was wrong.
Thankfully the day was over. I collected my things as Ivy excused herself to go and pick Jude up from Heathrow Airport. Mark and Carol said goodbye, thanking me for coming. Not long after, Nate decided to leave too as he had an early meeting.
“I'll walk you out,” Nate offered, taking my overnight bag from me. I didn’t want to argue so I just smiled and gave in with a small nod of acceptance.
“My son is such a gentleman,” Carol praised, as she kissed his cheek goodbye, she pulled me in for a hug after Nate got the door open. “It was lovely to see you again, Gi. You're always welcome here.”
She closed the door behind us before joining her husband. The walk to the car was silent; it was a little distance up the stoney driveway, to the small green parking area. His matte black Porsche was parked perfectly beside my white Audi. I paused when I caught sight of the car; recognising it from the other day.
“It was you at the office the other week,” I said, surprise in my voice, I hadn’t gone insane. I was right and, in a way, I was relieved that my sanity was still intact but I was also annoyed.
“Yes, and you chased after me,” he smirked, arrogantly. He did notice me.
“Not intentionally,” I said defensively, crossing my arms over my chest. I was mad but also a little impressed that he had paid attention. I didn’t want him to think I did it because I wanted him, I just needed to prove I wasn’t crazy.
“Are you sure?” He asked, backing me up against my car. Even in the moonlight, a hint of mischief twinkled in his eyes as they switched from light, to dark and hungry. My breathing had picked up, he was dangerously close and I kind of liked it.
“I had to see if it was you,” I stuttered nervously. He examined my eyes before pushing the strand of my hair he teased me with earlier behind my ear. Again, he leaned towards me, revving my body up, arousal washing over me. He dove his head towards my ear, moving my head to expose my neck feeling his breath become heavy matching mine.
“Are you satisfied?”