Does Mimi know about this?
LUC
Yep
SIENNA
Can you just callme next time?
It’s easier than this back and forth messaging
LUC
Ah, you’re not a texting girl – good to know!
He finishes with a smiling emoji. I can’t work out if he’s joking or not. Another reason I hate texting. Nearly as much as I hate surprises.
I open my contacts and dial Mimi. ‘Question for you,’ I start. ‘What is Luc planning?’
Her loud, infectious laugh rings through the phone. ‘It’s funny when you aren’t in the know.’
I mock roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. ‘I feel like I’m never in the know recently.’
‘He wants to surprise you, Sienna. Let him. It’s nice!’
‘You know how I feel about surprises.’
‘You’ll like this one.’
‘How do you know?’
‘I know you.’
She’s so sure of herself when she says it, I almost believe her. But how can she know me when I don’t really know myself? I only know myself as who society thinks I am. A girl who sleeps around too much and doesn’t let anyone close, who writes beautiful break-up songs even though she’s never really had a real relationship to draw inspiration from.
A girl who just wants her grandparents back to tell her how to be, how to live.
A girl who would rather distance herself from everyone than let someone new into her inner circle.
A girl who ran from the only man who has ever truly made her feel like love was something that could be onthe cards for her.
Luc still won’t tell me what the plan is when he’s in front of me, smirking in my doorway, Kareem waiting for us outside. I’ve already had to change my outfit because I wore something far too fancy for what we’re doing – yet another reason I hate surprises. And then Luc arrived with the ‘perfect outfit’ – or so he says – from my stylist. Now I’m standing here in black jeans and a black, off-the shoulder top with fluted sleeves. My shoes aren’t too high – a sandal with a chunky heel.
I know that I shouldn’t, but I can’t help worrying whether there will be enough people there. Whether enough press will see us for us to be able to make the most out of this outing. I don’t want to waste Luc’s time. Colin-From-The-Label is getting itchy feet, and I want to be handed a new contract sooner rather than later.
‘You look beautiful,’ Luc says.
I hate the way my body reacts to the compliment. Like it hasn’t caught up with this new friendship between us. We have boundaries.
‘Thank you,’ I croak through my dry voice. Am I nervous? That wouldn’t be wise.
He picks up my bag for me from next to the front door and hands it to me. ‘After you,’ he smiles, placing his hand on the back of my shoulder to guide me to Kareem’s car.
Another camera flash.
Maybe interest isn’t waning.
‘Good evening, Miss Martin.’
