Page 23 of One More Shot
She’s definitely not drunk, but I imagine she’s got the same pleasant buzz that’s currently thrumming through my veins. ‘Pleaseget an Uber.’
She snorts. ‘Not in my budget this month.’
‘I’ll get it.’ The idea of her stumbling along underground platforms late at night suddenly fills me with a sense of panic. I reach for my phone and unlock it. Dane’s message is still on the screen, but I swipe it away in favour of opening the Uber app.
Leanne doesn’t even try to protest.
‘Elz, you are aqueen!’ she coos as I hand her the phone so she can plug in the address. ‘My queen specifically. A goddess among women.’ She hands my phone back to me, then gives me one last hug before she hurries off, noticeably less wobbly now.
It’s only as she disappears through the doors that I realise she’s also left me with the bill.
It should bother me – this kind of thing usually does – but between the alcohol still working its way through me and the general happiness I’m feeling after our brief but funevening together, I can’t bring myself to care. Just this once, I’ll let it slide.
I can’t call an Uber for myself until Leanne reaches her party, so I signal the bartender for another drink and scroll through my phone. I’m seconds away from messaging Sasha to see if she wants to come out and meet me, when I remember Dane’s message.
I open it up again, preparing to delete it and push him firmly out of my mind for good, but my thumbs stall over the screen.
I don’t know whether to blame it on residual guilt from the engagement party or the handful of drinks I’ve had tonight but, before I can stop myself, I start typing out a reply.
Chapter EightELIOTT
FROM:[email protected]
SUBJECT:Wedding booking request
Hi Eliott! Hope you’re well :)
Thank you again for the brilliant work you did with the engagement party photos – I’m truly obsessed. I’m getting in touch again because we’ve finally got a date for the wedding and, like we discussed, Cash and I would LOVE to book you for it.
It’ll be in September in Portofino, Italy! I know, six months’ notice isn’t great for a destination wedding, but your travel and accommodation will be paid for on top of your standard fee of course. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned, but Cash isn’t huge on flying so we’ll be taking the train –you’re more than welcome to join us but it’ll be a long (but beautiful!) journey, so let me know if you’d rather catch a flight. I can share more information later – maybe we can jump on a call?
But let me know your initial thoughts! As I said, we LOVE your work and are so excited about having you photograph our special day.
Speak soon,
Bailey and Cash xo
Chapter NineDANE
I’m not actually expecting a response from Eliott. The only reason I bother sending the message is because I know Cash will ask if I’ve done anything. I fully expect her to ignore me. To delete the message and continue on with her life without any kind of acknowledgment that I’ve reached out. So when my phone lights up, the last thing I expect to see is:
@ERAYNEWEDDINGS
Hey. I’m gonna be at the Black Cat in Shoreditch for the next 45 mins or so.
If you want to talk, feel free to meet me here.
She also shares her location, sending me a link to a restaurant and bar that’s actually not too far from me rightnow. I tell myself that the deciding factor in all of this is just how close she currently is, andnotthat I’m feeling strangely eager to see and speak to her again.
@GREATDANECONSTRUCTION
cool. give me 30 mins
She doesn’t respond again and by the time I get to the Black Cat, I’m halfway convinced that she won’t be there. That she’s either chickened out or this is just some kind of game to her.
But she is there.
