‘Since last week. It was him who filled in that sign-up form. I thought we could be of assistance to each other … He’s looking for someone to scare off his ex. I need a date for Wednesday night. Not to mention Nate’s wedding.’
‘You are fucking joking me? He’s the cynic with the blow job and whiskey hang up?’ Trust Bonnie to remember that part of the form. Though I’d be lying if I said I haven't obsessed about that line myself a million times.
‘The very one. I nearly died when he walked into Elixir the other night. What are the chances?’ I take another sip of coffee and rock back on my chair.
Bonnie’s face is a picture of shock and horror. ‘You must have been so disappointed! I know you’d built Mr Suave Suit Guy to be something special in your head. Then you get landed with the “divorce daddy” instead.’
I inhale a lungful of air. ‘On the contrary in fact. He might not be what I envisioned, but he’s so much more, in a different way.’
‘Spill.’ Bonnie crouches forward so Cleo and Violet can’t hear us across the room.
When I reach the part where my parents forced us to kiss, Bonnie actually squeals.
It’s cathartic getting it off my chest. And like the schoolgirl with the silly crush, I love talking about Cillian Callaghan. Hearing his name on my lips feels stupidly good.
‘He’s never going to be The One. He doesn’t believe in love and relationships, but given the chemistry between us, I’m willing to overlook that for a little short-term festive fun.’
‘Oh, Ava. I don’t know.’ A single worry line creases Bonnie’s otherwise smooth forehead. ‘I’m all for casual sex. You know I am.’
Bonnie might work at HeartSync, but she’s a hardcore Tinder dater, and utterly unashamed about that fact. She always claims when she’s ready to settle down, she’ll try HeartSync, but for now, she’s happy with good old fashioned hip syncing.
‘It’s different for you, Ava. Ever since we were kids you’ve dreamed of hearts and flowers. The big white dress. The fairy-tale wedding. And you’ve been obsessed with this guy from afar for the best part of a year. I’m worried you’re going to get hurt.’
‘I was obsessed with the fantasy of what I thought he was. And his impeccable ass, it’s true. But I don’t even associate Cillian with that guy anymore. Cillian is Cillian. I’m obsessed with him in a different way. I know we are utterly incompatible in the real world. The man is a disparaging damaged divorce lawyer, and I’m a hopeful romantic, but he’s also sexy as fuck, in that broody “I’d break you in bed” kind of way. There’s no way I’m mistaking him for husband material. But would there be any harm in a fling with my fake boyfriend? I feel like I need help getting back in the saddle. You know I haven't been with anyone since Josh. He really knocked the wind from my sails. I had no idea who he was, and I trusted him with my heart and my body and look where that got me. At least with Cillian, I know where I stand. Surely, it will only help both of our causes.’
‘As long as you don’t do something crazy like fall in love with him.’ Bonnie drains her coffee and fires me a knowing look.
‘We’re going to be spending the month together anyway. It has to have some perks.’ I cross my legs and press my thighs together.
‘When are you seeing him again?’ Bonnie throws her empty cup across the room and fist-pumps the air as it sails straight into the recycling bin.
‘Wednesday. He’s coming to HeartSync’s anniversary party. Are we all set for that by the way?’ It’s one thing being distracted at home, but I can’t afford to take my eye off the ball at work. Not when I want to entice Nate into investing. With his help, HeartSync could open offices across the country, Europe, who knows, maybe even the States.
‘Yep. All set. I’ve invited all the couples that had successful matches, luring them with the promise of free champagne and luxury gift bags. I’ve ordered the most sumptuous canapés The Shelbourne offers and organised helium heart balloons with the events management company.’ Bonnie ticks a finger for every point. ‘I also invited all our neighbouring businesses, both sides of Grafton Street, plus a few bloggers. Though, given your brother is planning on attending, that should provide more publicity than we could ever afford to pay for.’
‘Brilliant. Thank you.’ I might have given Bonnie this job initially because she’s my best friend, but she’s proved her weight in gold as my PA. ‘Don’t forget to plaster it all over the socials.’
‘The girls are on it as we speak.’ She nods towards Cleo and Violet who are both immersed in their computers across the room.
‘Fantastic.’
My spine shudders with a ripple of apprehension. I can’t wait for Wednesday night. And it has nothing to do with celebrating my first year in business, and everything to do with seeing Cillian.
Our lives might be very different, but isn't that the precise reason to enjoy this chemistry between us while we can?
I need him to give into this animalistic attraction between us.
‘We need to go to Brown Thomas at lunch. I need a new outfit for Wednesday night. And I need it to scream “sex”. I also need a tonne of new lingerie, just in case.’
‘Sex is my speciality.’ Bonnie beams. She’s not joking. Bonnie treats sex like one of her five a day. She could be Penny Jackson’s long-lost love child.
It’s late, and my feet are killing me when I finally get home. I drop the mountain of Brown Thomas bags inside the door, kick off my stilettos, and switch on the low lighting.
The open plan living area looks bare compared to the twinkling Christmas lights on the street below. Putting up a tree for an apartment that I live alone in seems pointless. And considering I usually spend most of the holidays at my parents’ house anyway, it’s an awful lot of work for just me. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, but it’s one holiday that’s geared around couples and families.
I pad through to the main bathroom, turn on the taps of the clawfoot tub and pour in a generous amount of jasmine scented oil. I didn't ask Nate to buy me a penthouse suite. I told him it was too much. But being the fabulous (if a little irritating) big brother he is, he insisted. And when I saw this Instagram-worthy freestanding bathtub, I had to agree with him.
Sinking beneath the bubbles, I check my phone for the millionth time that day. Twenty-two notifications light my screen, but nothing from the one person I’d like to hear from.
