“How the hell do you know?” she untangled her arm from around me and stepped back. Her narrowed gaze searched my more than amused one.
Fuck. Is she going to think I was snooping now? Oh well, in for a penny and all that… “Okay. When you went to the ladies’ room, the message lit up your screen.” My hands went up in front of me, “I promise I wasn’t snooping, but when the words happy birthday flashed up in capital letters, it’s hard to not notice.”
Her eyes closed tightly as her head shook, “Fucking Holly.”
I nodded. “Yeah, Holly. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because…” she shrugged and exhaled harshly. “I didn’t want you to think I was making it about me. This break, it was all about you.”
Turning to her, I took her face in my hands and kissed her. It was so soft that I didn’t even recognise myself. Her eyes widened as I released her, “What was that for?”
“Because you’re always so damn selfless,” her breathing picked up pace as I went on, “and I have no idea what I did to deserve you?”
Her gaze held mine firmly, “I think you’re way too hard on yourself.” She answered, her voice just above a whisper. I couldn’t help the smile that twitched at my lips.
“I doubt you’d have said that if you knew me twelve months ago.”
“I can only take your word for that; I’d rather go with what I know now.”
“You’re a special person, Karen Duncan.”
“You think so?” Her voice was small, timid even, as she asked. A shy smile graced her lips.
“I know so.” I bent and kissed her again.
“Well as much as you don’t think it, I think you’re special too.” I was in unfamiliar territory right now. She settled a kiss on my lips and smiled softly as she pulled away.
She took my hand in hers, joined our fingers and began the stroll back along the sand and even though it was in silence, it was strangely comfortable.
The walk back hadn’t taken long, but as soon as we stepped through the door, Karen announced that she was going to lie down. I knew that she wasn’t feeling well so it was probably for the best.
She pushed to her toes and kissed my cheek, “Thanks for breakfast.” She gave me the sweetest smile before she disappeared into the bedroom. I’d never known sweet. I’d never wanted it. Sweet meant wanting love or some shit. I never thought that was for me. Maybe it was? Who fucking knew these days.
My phone rang from my pocket and as I took it out, I saw Roman’s name. My shoulders sagged with a sigh. I had to answer, otherwise he wouldn’t stop.
“Yo, dickhead.” I greeted as I made my way outside onto the patio.
“You sound chirpy, don’t tell me you’ve got laid while you’re there and got some of that tension out of ya?”
“Hey. It’s Malibu beach. Have you seen the pussy that hangs around here? And they wear next to fucking nothing.” His laughboomed down the receiver, it was good to hear him laugh though after all the stress I’d caused him, and of course with Paisley not being well. I really should be a better friend. I stepped back inside and looked towards the closed door of the bedroom and thought about Karen. Talking about being a better friend, I should tell him the truth. “So, you know when you texted this morning and asked about Karen?”
“Yeah, have you heard from her?”
“I have.” I admitted rather sheepishly. “She’s here, with me.”
“At my beach house?” Roman asked with a surprised tone. I guessed he would be surprised; all he knew was that we looked cosy at the casino, before everything went tits up anyway.
“Yeah,” I answered quickly.
“Why the fuck would my photographer be there?”
I had to either think of a plausible excuse or come clean... a pause on the line hung between us. “Well, that’s a story for another day…”
“Never mind another day, you dirty fucker. Tell me now!”
“I have to go. I can’t hear you, mate.” I chuckled, “I’ll be back tomorrow.” I ended the call before he could say anything else, I snorted as I pocketed my phone again.
Today would be about her.
