Page 11 of Made Up for Love
He sagged against the wall, telling himself what an idiot he was. Maybe he’d get another opportunity.
7
Lydia slumped against the closed door, berating herself for being an idiot. What was she thinking trying to make a move on Joel when she’d only known him for a few hours? The evening had been amazing. They’d chatted about almost everything, shared some of their favourite bars and restaurants in London, even tentatively agreeing to meeting up sometime to show the other why they liked it so much. It had been easy-going and Lydia couldn’t remember when she’d last been that relaxed and happy on a date. Although it hadn’t been a date. It was simply a thank you dinner. That Joel would end up paying for.
She pulled herself together and got ready for bed, intending to go straight to sleep. Then she noticed a message from Jacinta, asking her how the day had gone. It was only just before eleven and there was every chance that her friend would still be awake. She dialled Jacinta’s number.
“How was she?” was the first question the moment Jacinta answered the phone.
“Honestly? I don’t know how you put up with her. She changed the shoot location, turned up almost two hours late and was a total nightmare when I tried to change her looks. She outright vetoed a softer image I wanted to try, which went better with one of the outfits her stylist had found. You can guess who won that.”
Jacinta laughed. “Been there, had that argument, got the battle scars to prove it. Seriously, those nails of hers are a liability.”
“She did promise me that she’d give my details to some of her friends though to get me some new clients. Which I guess she didn’t have to do.” That had been one of the bright spots of the day.
“There are times when Sadie will surprise you. Sounds like you did a great job.”
“I hope so. You sound better too.”
“I have managed to keep down a small piece of toast and some water today. Mind you, I’m bloody starving now. You could bring me some chips?” Jacinta asked hopefully.
“They’d be cold by the time I got there.”
“Lyds, you’re on your way home. Surely you can stop in the chippy for me?”
“You know I would, but I’m still in Scotland. All the flights were cancelled, and I had to stay in the hotel another night.”
“I’d heard something on the news about that. Didn’t think you’d be affected though. Sorry.”
For a moment, Lydia debated not telling Jacinta about Joel. After all, it had been one dinner and a brief, clumsy encounter outside her hotel room. She knew Jacinta wouldn’t forgive her if she didn’t give her all the gossip.
“Don’t be too sorry, I had a really nice dinner with a guy.”
The shriek that crackled down the line went straight through Lydia’s skull. “How the hell did you manage to meet a guy there?”
Lydia related the whole sorry tale to Jacinta, who punctuated the story with giggles and whoops. “And we both sort of moved towards each other, then away and it was really awkward. I didn’t know what to do, so I just came into my room.”
“Do you like him?”
As Lydia considered her answer, she reached for the glass of water on the bedside table. It was a difficult question. She’d known Joel only a short time, but she knew she wanted to see him again when they were both back in London. If he wanted to, of course. They’d be heading home in the morning, so she needed to make a decision soon.
“Joel’s nice.”
“Nice? Is that it?”
The image of Joel in his charcoal suit, coming to her rescue earlier that evening, floated through her head. He was everything she’d usually go for in a man and more. He was hot.
“Maybe you’ll get to see him before you leave.”
“I’ve got to sort out a flight first. Damn, I should have checked.”
“I’ll leave you to sort that out and then have sweet dreams about Joel.” Jacinta let out a chuckle. “Chat tomorrow, ‘night, Lyds.
Once Jacinta had hung up, Lydia checked her airline app to see whether she would be able to get home the following day. Everything was still showing as cancelled, delayed or not available. She sighed. Megan was going to kill her.
* * *
The following morning Lydia awoke with a start as her phone rang and rang beside her. Bleary eyed, she squinted at the screen and saw Megan’s name flash up. She let out an audible groan. Megan was expecting her to be at home and ready to go and do the final sweep of the venue. As she was about to answer, it stopped ringing. Lydia sank back into the pillows in relief, only to have that shattered a few seconds later when it started again. There was no point in delaying the inevitable.
