Page 30 of Wish You Once More
My nose caught the aroma of fresh, strong coffee and I headed in the direction it came from. Callie brandished takeaway coffee from our favourite cafe, plus a paper bag.
“Thought you needed this as you skipped out so soon earlier,” she said, waving them at me.
Harry, plus two of his friends, was with her, carrying a bag full of beer and snacks. It looked as if they were preparing to settle down for the afternoon. I wished I could join them instead of being responsible and being polite to all the idiots who approached the information tent.
Gratefully, I accepted the food and drink from her. She was right, I needed the caffeine more than ever if I was going to get through the next eight hours.
“Spotted Mat with Scott Lincoln and that hot supermodel.” Harry fanned his face in an exaggerated manner. “They were having Sunday brunch in Angelo’s. He looked very cosy with a cute brunette.”
Of course he did. He had a girlfriend.
The appetite I thought I had suddenly disappeared and I all but drained the coffee in one go.
“It’s nice of him to come and support his brother,” I managed. “Couldn’t leave the best band of the festival in the lurch, could he?”
Callie raised her eyebrows. “You okay?”
“Yeah, fine. I, um, didn’t get much sleep last night.” To distract myself, I peeked into the paper bag, checking out the greasy looking bacon and cheese croissant. My stomach churned at the thought of attempting to eat it. “You couldn’t get me another coffee, could you?”
“You should eat something.” Callie put a hand on my arm. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
She disappeared in the direction of one of the food stalls.
Harry slung his arm around my shoulders, grinning at his mates. “Do I really have to wait until tonight to get a drink with you?”
“She’ll be on festival business until the final band has finished playing and everything has been cleaned up. Then you’ll be able to get her drunk.” Darla walked past, overhearing his comment. “Bree, you need to get the information point open now, before people start arriving.”
He held up his free hand. “Wasn’t planning on getting her drunk, Darla. She looks like she needs cheering up.”
Darla swept her gaze from my head to my toes. “Hmm, she does look tired. Though that hoodie could have done with an iron before she came out.”
“I am here you know!” I protested. “And I’m fine. Let’s get started.” I wriggled out of Harry’s grasp and marched across the park over to the information point.
While I opened up, and laid out the few remaining bits of merchandise, Callie brought over my coffee. She placed it on the table, making sure to avoid the freshly stacked white t-shirts.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked. “You rushed out of the flat this morning without saying much.”
I glanced around the park, seeing if Mat was around. Maybe I could tell Callie about the kiss.
But if I did, it would mean admitting to myself how I felt about it.
How much I enjoyed it.
How much I missed him.
Knowing he was here, with someone else, would make me look like the shrewish ex—and I wasn’t, well I’d never had any intention of being. Plus, if I confronted him about the kiss, in front of his new girlfriend, I’d stir up all sorts of trouble which neither of us needed.
My relationship with Mat firmly belonged in the past, no matter what my heart might think, my head overruled it.
“Just feeling a bit under the weather. Nothing a couple of days off sitting on the sofa binge watching a teen drama series won’t cure.” I forced a smile.
“Ugh, you’re so lucky working for yourself. I wish I could do the same.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Could always take a sickie?” A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. Perhaps a couple of days chilling would do us both good.
“Don’t tempt me.” Callie pointed in the direction of the ice cream stall. “If it weren’t for the fact that my boss and her family is here, and will no doubt see my behaviour go rapidly downhill the more I drink today, I’d be all over it.”
I spotted Harry and his mates who had set themselves up near the front, to one side of the stage, nearest the beer tent. “Probably doesn’t help you’re hanging out with those reprobates either.” I pointed over at them.
