“Oh, wow, you landed today?”
Edel nods, thanking Rue then dragging her glass towards her and taking a sip. “Yup, it’s been go, go, go ever since.”
I pad towards the girls, who are chatting like they’re two old friends catching up after months of not seeing each other. Rue smiles at me, sliding my wine across the counter and I thank her as I bring it to my lips and take a mouthful.
“That’s yum.” I lick my lips and take another mouthful. “It definitely is helping settle the nerves,”
“No need for nerves. It’s going to be great, you’re going to be awesome.” She winks at me just as the bell sounds. All three of us turn around to see Nora and Anaïs walk in.
“Well, hello girls.” Anaïs beams, holding a bottle of champagne in her hand, Nora follows next to her.
“Seems they’ve started without us.” Nora pouts, waving hi to Edel again.
“Anaïs,” I say, “this is Edel.”
They greet each other, warm smiles all around the room.
“Now this is a girl gang.” Rue nods, looking slightly misty eyed. “Wine?” she chimes before disappearing and grabbing another two glasses.
Anaïs is next to me, her arm wrapped around my shoulder as she leans her lips closer to my ear. “Don’t worry about Royce, he goes like this sometimes.”
It takes me a second to realise why she is trying to reassure me. Then it clicks. She dated him. I nod.
“He spooks like a horse bolting from a racing gate. He can’t help it. He’ll come around.” She gives me a soft smile.
I ignore the sting behind my eyes. I hate that he has made me feel like this.
Rue returns with two extra glasses and tops up Nora and Anaïs glasses.
“So, how do you all know each other?” Edel asks, her eyes bouncing between the three girls.
Anaïs looks to Rue, Rue to Nora, Nora to Anaïs. It seems Anaïs takes the lead.
“Okay, so last year, I ended up in Monaco,” she gushes, flicking her red hair over her shoulder. She looks cute dressed in a tweed navy two-piece, a white bodysuit, and cream wedged heels. Her hair styled in soft waves. “Nora, who I have known for most of my life”—she looks to her best friend—“booked me an apartment here after a very public breakup.” She winces before her eyes slice to me.
I roll my lips, eyes darting to Edel who is already looking at me.
“I didn’t know anyone, it wasn’t racing season and due to the mess, Nora had to stay home to fix it.”
“Still trying,” she mutters as she tips her head back and takes a large mouthful.
“What she didn’t mention, though, was that it was Royce’s dad’s apartment she’d booked.”
“Penthouse.” Rue coughs, tapping her finger on her glass.
“Penthouse.” Anaïs rolls her eyes. “Anyway, on one of my lonely mornings, I made my way down to the market and a quaint alley caught my attention. Wandering, I found this idyllic bookshop.”
“You’re not writing a review.” Nora snorts and Anaïs laughs.
“That’s where I met the beautiful Rue.” She blinks her glassy eyes to her friend.
Rue flutters her lashes, smiling as she places her hand under her chin.
“Then jealous Nora turned up because she was worried I had replaced her.” Anaïs laughed loudly knowing full well that she was going to get a reaction.
“Erm, excuse me.” Nora stamps her foot on the floor. “You begged me to come out.”
Anaïs looks at her all wide eyed. “Did I?” she smirks
