She knows better than I do he doesn’t commit and that it will end in disaster. And then she’ll be worried about tension at her wedding in October.
No, I can’t tell her.
‘Jesus, Chloe, when have you ever spared the details? I’m intrigued!’ She tops up my wine glass as if that’s going to help loosen my tongue.
Another text pings on my phone. Sasha sits back, watching me, trying to read my every single micro-facial expression.
What room? I need to make sure I’m next door. Not because I’m going to occupy it, but because no paying castle guest should be subjected to your screaming ; )
Laughter splutters from my chest as I tap out the quickest reply.
Behave.
Before I can even exit the screen, another text flies in.
Room? Don’t make me tear down your castle, Princess.
A memory of the last time he came looking for me springs to mind.
102. Top floor.
Good girl x
Shoving my phone under my backside, out of sight of Sasha’s beady but beautiful eyes, I finally raise my gaze to meet hers.
‘Spill. You know you want to!’ she screams.
‘It’s nothing, really.’ My fingers circle the stem of my glass, back and forth rhythmically. It offers a modicum of comfort. Or is the comfort I feel simply because my man is on his way?
My man? I wish. But he’s mine for a while longer, at least.
Sasha peers coyly over the rim of her own glass. ‘Have you slept with him?’
I knew this was coming. I swallow hard. ‘Yes.’ It’s barely a whisper.
The side of her mouth tugs upwards in a knowing smirk. ‘More than once?’
I nod, unable to quite meet her gaze.
‘Oh. My. God. Who is he, Chloe? He must be something exceptional for you to break your one date rule.’
Other than Ruby, who I trust with my life, I haven’t told a soul about Jayden. I’m dying to talk about it with someone, especially Sasha, but I can’t.
‘He is exceptional,’ I admit with a shrug.
‘This is amazing! I knew you’d finally get over that twat Ethan-Has-No-Harte! Come here!’ Sasha rushes around the table and yanks me into a sisterly squeeze, which I reciprocate with only half of her enthusiasm.
I might have finally gotten over what Ethan did, but am I really any better off? I’m in love with a man who is emotionally unavailable.
Sasha guides me by the hand towards a huge velvet couch and urges me to sit.
‘Come on, tell me everything. I’m dying to hear about the man who’s melted my hard-ass sister.’
‘There’s not much to tell.’ More like there’s not much Icantell. ‘Apart from he’s everything I thought I didn’t want.’
‘What’s his name? What does he do?’ Bright eyes gleam at me through the twilight.
I swallow hard. ‘You know, I’d rather not say. It’s early days. It probably won’t go anywhere.’
