“Thanks,” Tom said, his tone even, almost curt. “I better go and get Reine. I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow night.”
“Maybe.”
“No,” he said, more firmly now. “I’ll see you then. You’ll be my guest, even if Stella and Corentin haven’t invited you.”
“Okay.” Ari nodded. “Give Reine a kiss from me and tell her I’ll see her tomorrow.”
Tom nodded, walking to Ari’s little door and turning the handle. Before he stepped out into the street, he turned back, giving Ari a pained look, Reine’s snack held tight in his large hands.
“We really did have some good times, right? I didn’t imagine it? It wasn’t just... all me?”
Ari felt her heart pulse painfully.
“It wasn’t all you,” she replied honestly. “We had some wonderful times. We really did.”
Tom gave her another look of bittersweet sadness, before he nodded, and stepped out into the London afternoon.
* * *
Ari pulled out dress after dress, throwing them on her bed and frowning at all of them. Stella had called her that morning, bright and early at 5a.m., insisting that she come to the pre-wedding ‘family dinner’.
“You really must come, Ari. The small is going to be there.”
“Oh, right,” Ari had replied, brushing at her sleep-encrusted eyes wearily. “Yes, okay. I guess it would be nice to see Marnie again, and you know I haven’t met your family yet.”
“My family?” Stella gave a high and tinkly laugh. “My God, thosereprobatesaren’t going to be there. Why, the very idea.”
“You mean your family aren’t coming to... the family dinner?”
“My mother is no longer with us, sadly, and I don’t want my alcoholic arsehole of a father anywhere near my wedding. No, it will just be a tight little gathering. Your fellow is going to be there, too, so—”
“Tom’s not my fellow,” Ari instantly cut in, and she heard Stella pause.
“I know that,” she said impatiently, “I meant your brother. And De León too, I suppose. Trust me, I’m well aware of the current stalemate between you and Jawline. Marnie complains about the two of youall the time.”
Ari blushed, rolling over in her bed and burying her head under a pillow.
“That’s good to know. Okay, I’ll see you tonight, Stella.”
“Lovely. Dress sharp, Ari. It’s at Whyte’s and I’m bringing my Leica. Don’t worry, I’ve told Jawline I’ll rub some Vaseline on the lens to soften him out.”
Ari held another dress against her body, berating herself for allowing her wardrobe to become so work-centred and practical, her outfits all functional to the point of being unattractive. Since Reine, she’d never thought to invest in pretty or dainty things, preferring dull colours that absorbed stains easily and disguisedthe smell of milk, baby vomit and motherhood. With a frustrated frown, she sank onto her bed, looking with irritation at the discarded piles of clothing around her.
You need to get a grip,she lectured herself sternly.It’s a work event, really. Tom only invited you because of Reine. It’s not like it’s a date or anything.
Ari took a deep breath, standing again and going back to her cupboard. She shifted through hangers and hangers, still undecided and annoyed, before closing the door sharply and heading downstairs.
She picked up her purse and her phone, then headed out into the Greenwich afternoon, walking towards the DLR.
She needed to do some shopping, she thought. She hadn’t bought herself anything new in a long time, and now that Tom was sharing parental responsibility for Reine, finances weren’t as tight as they used to be. Buying something new to wear to a special dinner wasn’t unusual, Ari told herself, other people did it all the time.
It’s not a date,Ari reminded herself.It’s not a date.
* * *
“Caracoles!” Luis said in amazement when Ari stepped out of her Uber. “You look amazing, Ari.”
Sebastian gaped at her, and Ari gave him a nervous smile.
