Me: She came with Roger today. It was fine. She said nothing wrong.
My phone remained silent. I eventually put it away in my desk drawer so I could try to concentrate on work, which was why I should declare a vow of celibacy until I retired as this was all too much of distraction. I then kept looking at the dress hung on the back of the door and the shoes that Alice had left like ornaments on my shelves. A new dress and new shoes called for new underwear, even if the only person to see it was me. Concentration wasn't happening anyway, so I closed my office door, making sure I had my phone in my bag and headed out to take advantage of a meeting free afternoon even though the work would still be there when I got back.
The tube was full of tourists, a small child asking a million questions, most of them entirely inappropriate as they were asked very loudly about people in the carriage. I made my way through the crowds, down the busy main road to a hidden side street where my favorite lingerie shop sat like a secret, one filled with pretty bras and briefs, and a few other bits and pieces in the back that I had bought from on several occasions.
I was choosing between a black lace bra and a nude push up that would give me enough cleavage for a man to drown in when my phone beeped. My phone was yanked from my bag faster than a child opening a bag of sweets.
Jackson:I want you to be there tonight, but only if you want to be with me. I'm glad you like the shoes and dress, but you don't need to wear them unless you want to. I'll still want you even if you turn up in sweatpants and a gym top.
Vanessa: You still want me even though I'm more of a commitment-phobe that any man and have a persistent sense of self-unworth?
Jackson: Yep.
Me: Why?
Jackson: Because that's you and I don't want anyone else.
Me: I'll see you tonight.
Me: Thank you.
I bought the nude bra and its matching briefs, then I called Sophie and let her know about today's gifts and tonight's arrangements.
"The boy's done well. Enjoy yourself," she said. "Send me a text later if you're not going to be home, which I expect will be the case."
"Maybe. He might be meeting me to return my make-up."
"You don't buy £600 shoes for a woman whose stuff you're returning. You buy £600 shoes for a woman whose legs you want on your shoulders as you pound into her, with the shoes still on. Trust me, honey, he'll be wanting his money's worth from those shoes."
"I'll let you know."
"Send pictures. Talk to you tomorrow, probably." I heard her yell at somebody as she hung up.
Stopping for coffee before heading back to the office, I tried to curb the nerves that had taken residence in my stomach like a small colony of bees. Six days ago, I'd called time on us; six days of feeling empty without a man I'd known only a few weeks.
I just hoped we could find a way forward.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jackson
Simone had found us the darkest corner, tucked away from sight and away from the passing waiting on staff. She'd added candles and a bottle of champagne was already set up, plus a tumbler of a type whiskey that I knew wasn't on the drinks menu, so must've come from Simone's own stash. She struck me as a whiskey drinker.
My phone vibrated, reminding me that I needed to turn it off. I didn't want tonight to be interrupted by clients or family, especially family. A group message had begun shortly after I'd berated Marie for her interference and was still continuing sporadically, even Callum getting his opinion in now he was back somewhere they had wifi after saving elephants or rhinos or something with a horn. He was due back in a couple of weeks and there had been some noise from Marie about him staying in London as a position had become available at the zoo that he was interested in. I had heard this before, when he'd been in India for six months and instead of coming back to England, he'd nipped off to Borneo. I opened the message, thankful it was an individual one from Max.
Max: I heard that you sent your testicles to Vanessa today in the form of a pair of shoes and a dress. Good to know they've gone to good use.
Jackson: How did I end up with you for a fucking brother?
Max: By good grace and fortune. Seriously, hope all goes well and you manage to prove that you're not a complete tosser. I'd quite like to be an uncle.
Jackson: WTF?
Max: Have a good one. Turn your phone off.
I took his advice, hoping that when I switched back on again in the morning, my mood would be good enough to be able to deal with whatever shit was currently been said behind my back by my so-called family.
