Page 55 of The Island of Hopes and Dreams

‘Me and Freddie are dead good together. I treated you like shit messing about behind your back when we were at uni, but we’ve all grown up since then. And changed.’ She pouted as if contemplating saying something more. ‘You see yourself in a completely different way to how everyone else sees you. And what Lola did with Valentino tonight was to stick two fingers up to her crazy ex in an attempt to get him offyourback. Sarah said as much.’

Rhys lifted his hands from the wall, turned to her and frowned.

Zoe shrugged. ‘Sarah and I have been tight since yesterday evening’s girls’ night. She’s as much of a gossip as I am.’ Zoe studied him with a directness that made her formidable working in an industry dominated by men. ‘You’re a fool if you don’t fight for her or, worse, letyourinsecurities get the better of you.’

‘You do understand where my insecurities come from?’

Zoe held up her hands. ‘Why the hell do you think I’m talking to you now? I fucked up when we were together. I dealt with my own insecurities and uncertainty in a cowardly way, by upping and leaving instead of staying and talking things through. We would never have worked out, but I should have dealt with the situation differently. We did have fun, Rhys. I’m happy now and I want that for you too. We were once really good mates. I cared about you and still do. Neither me nor Freddie want to lose you. I know we’re never going to be able to get our friendship back to the way things were, but it’d be ace if we could at least be in a room together without wanting to flay each other.’

‘Or chat openly about stuff the way we used to.’

‘Exactly. The way we’re doing right now.’ She waggled a finger between them. ‘And at least I can put my hand on my heart and say I’m nowhere near as crazy bad as Lola’s ex.’

Rhys huffed a laugh. ‘You could put it on a T-shirt: “I’m no psycho ex”.’

‘Something to be proud of.’

‘Indeed.’

‘Go talk to her, Rhys.’ Zoe looked at him intently and touched his arm, a platonic gesture that made him feel nothing, neither longing nor regret. ‘Don’t let her ex ruin what you have with Lola, because I’m pretty sure that was his intention. I ran away from big scary feelings and adult conversation once. Don’t make the same mistake I did and mess things up with Lola, even if it only ends up being a friendship you lose out on.’ Her eyes were soft and sad. She pushed away from the wall and patted his shoulder. ‘Promise me you won’t be so stubborn that you miss your chance with her, Rhys.’

32

Rhys walking away from her looking so sad was the worst moment of Lola’s life. Kissing Valentino had been purely to unnerve Jarek and protect Rhysfromhim and yet it had backfired spectacularly.

Her friends swarmed around her like she was a queen bee needing to be protected, yet despite being enveloped by their love and concern, she felt empty. Jarek had won. He’d managed once again to make her feel scared, insignificant and unworthy, but worst of all he’d managed to push a wedge between her and Rhys. It didn’t matter if Rhys and his friends had thrown him out and stood up for her, or that her friends were supporting her, not when he’d messed up the best thing that had happened to her in a very long time.

Someone placed a drink in her hand, and when it was clear that she didn’t want to talk about Jarek, Valentino or Rhys, the conversation was swiftly moved on by Deni about how they must get a picture of them all in the photo booth, with Mirabel too. Lola listened, chipped in a word or two and sipped her rum and pink grapefruit cocktail. She caught the concerned glances from her friends so went through the motions of trying to enjoy the evening, yet it felt as if she was looking down on herself rather than fully experiencing everything.

It was only after she’d drained her drink and Deni and Sarah went to the bar for another round of cocktails that Polly led her to the nearest table and made her sit down.

‘I know you’re not okay, so there’s no point pretending that you are,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘But he’s gone, so you can at least relax tonight.’

‘He may be gone, but he’s not out of my life. He’s a never-ending nightmare.’

‘And you’ll put a stop to it as soon as you get home.’ She smiled gently. ‘There are enough flipping lawyers here to give you advice and fight your corner. Jarek won’t get away with this behaviour. His one mistake tonight – of many, I should add – was making himself so public. Rhys, Valentino and Fabs’s friends are all witnesses. It’ll be okay.’

Lola nodded glumly and focused on the olive tree next to them, its branches threaded with fairy lights. She needed Polly, her sensible, thoughtful friend, to see the situation from a different viewpoint. ‘I actually couldn’t care less about Jarek right now.’ Lola twisted back to face Polly, her voice cracking as she said, ‘It’s Rhys I’ve messed things up with.’

‘Youdidn’t mess up anything. Jarek did that. The way you’re feeling right now is because he forced you into a situation you had no control over. And Rhys reacted that way because he likes you, Lola,’ Polly said softly. ‘I don’t know Rhys at all, but he had no hesitation in going after Jarek. His reaction was to protect you and that speaks volumes. And yes, his anger got the better of him, but that seems to have come from a place of self-doubt, if he thinks either Valentino or Jarek are more worthy of your love. I’m sure Valentino’s a nice guy and has abs that look like they’ve been chiselled from marble, but Jarek.’ Polly whistled low. ‘He’s a nasty piece of work who doesn’t deserve one more second of your time. He’s messed with your head so much and for too long. Don’t let him destroy a relationship with a hell of a decent guy.’

Deni and Sarah returned, interrupting their conversation. Through the trees, Lola could make out the other terrace where the DJ had everyone up and dancing, ruby, cerise and powder-blue dresses catching the light as people moved. Four cocktail glasses topped with lime and a sprig of thyme were placed on the table. Polly squeezed Lola’s hand as they turned their attention to their friends.

‘To Fabs and Mirabel, and of course friendship,’ Deni said as they knocked their glasses together.

Lola sipped the lemony gin cocktail as she was embraced by her friends’ merriment. She tried to relax, yet her thoughts still snagged on Rhys. She wondered where he was, and if he was okay.

‘Where on earth have you lot been!’ Mirabel threw herself among them, planting her arms across Deni’s and Polly’s shoulders and cutting Lola’s thoughts short. ‘There’s a dance floor that-a-way with all of your names on it.’ With her arm still round Deni, she grabbed Lola’s hand and tugged her in the direction of the other terrace.

Lola pushed her worries aside and chose laughter, dancing and her friends. She lost herself to the music, something that always brought her comfort and ignited joy. She was surrounded by her friends, and they laughed and twirled, their heels scuffing the red bricks, while the light from the bulbs crisscrossing overhead made necklaces glitter and earrings sparkle. Mirabel threw her arms around Lola, and she allowed herself to be swept up in the love and happiness that emanated from her newly-wed best friend.

* * *

The evening went by far too quickly in a whirl of joy that had only been marred by the incident with Jarek and which, by some miracle, Mirabel was none the wiser about.

Fabs obviously knew what had happened, if his extra-big hug was anything to go by. ‘Rhys has got your back, Lola,’ he said quietly. ‘Barnaby and the rest of the guys too.’

Tears had already been threatening and she nearly lost it at the look Fabs gave her when he pulled away: one of support, love and understanding. He was an extended part of her family now he’d married the friend she considered to be a sister.

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