“Nope. Was checking the time.” Darcey narrows her eyes, her bullshit radar as astute as mine.
“Sure you were. That’s why you hid your phone so quickly, is it?”
“No. It was…urghstop being so nosey.”
Darcey and I have always been closer than the others in the group. There isn’t much we don’t know about each other. Apart from Caiden, she’s the best friend I have. I could tell her about Oliver. There’s no reason not to. Other than that, I feel really possessive of what Ollie and I have, and for a little longer, I want to keep it all to myself.
She grins. “Fine. Don’t tell me. But bring them along to my party, okay?” She takes a swig of her drink and I do the same. I’ve lost track of what drink number this is, and my head is a little swirly. “The more the merrier.”
I give a noncommittal reply and the subject changes to Lachlan's upcoming holiday. Shortly before midnight, we say our goodbyes and I stagger the two blocks home. There’s an unread text on my phone from my father, but still nothing from Oliver. I’ll deal with my dad in the morning.
One of two things will happen when I speak to him. He will either be silently disappointed the date didn’t go ashewanted,or he’ll brush it off, mind already on the next possible union he can milk for his benefit. I’m not in the mood to deal with either scenario right now.
My penthouse is dark when I get home, and I switch on lights as I walk through to the lounge. Floor to ceiling windows make up the far side of the room with a view of the Thames. It’s nowhere near as spectacular as the view from The Vista, but it’s still what sold this place to me.
With a sigh, I undo the top three buttons of my shirt, slump down on my large leather sofa and stare out of the window. I usually love my apartment. It’s big and luxurious, with modern appliances and bright, colourful touches. It’s decorated with soft fabrics, fun art pieces, and piles of books. Tonight, however, it feels too big.
Too barren.
Too lonely.
I’m tired, but there’s a buzzing under my skin – too much vodka, frustration aimed at my father and anticipation at seeing Ollie tomorrow. There’s no way I’ll be able to fall asleep.
Picking up the TV remote, I select a show and hit play, turning the sound on loud enough to break the silence that’s settled in my penthouse. I lie flat on my back, one arm tucked behind my head and the other holding my phone in front of my face. Scrolling through my social media feed, I stop at a photo that Caiden’s been tagged in on his stepbrother’s profile. He looks happier than I’ve ever seen him, ducking his head, laughter on his face, as Jamie presses a kiss to his cheek. I immediately hit the heart button, then, regardless of the late hour, I shoot Caiden a message.
Me:I’m happy for you, babe.
There’s a short break between my message showing as delivered and Caiden’s reply.
Caiden:Thank you. And thank you for pushing me to go after him.
I grin. There was no chance in this world Caiden was ever letting that man go, but I’ll happily take some of the credit; I did give him an awesome pep talk.
We message back and forth for a few minutes, Caiden filling me in on his trip back home to Devon, and I tell him about my failed date and then drinks with Darcey.
I don’t tell him about Oliver, and it’s not without a touch of guilt. I should at the very least mention that Oliver came looking for him. But I know what he’ll say. He’ll tell me that Oliver is bad news and he’ll get in a huffy mood. So I leave out Oliver and tell Caiden to have a good night, promising to see him soon.
My eyes flick to the name three down from Caiden’s.
Without overthinking, I hit call.
Oliver answers on the third ring, his voice sleep rough and raspy. “D?”
“Sorry I woke you.” I have no idea why I’m calling, other than that I wanted to hear his voice.
Oliver clears his throat. “It’s okay. You alright?”
“I was calling to ask you the same thing. You haven’t messaged me all day.” And why the hell do I sound like a spoiled child when I say that?Bloody vodka.
There’s rustling on the other side of the line, like maybe he’s climbing out of bed.
“Sorry. I was a bit distracted today.”
“As long as you’re okay?”
“I am. I just – ” he blows out a heavy breath “I have to do something I don’t want to do.”
I open my mouth to ask if he wants to talk about it, but he speaks again before I have a chance.
