Page 46 of Kiss Me Ever After
“You don’t want to go to London or?” Lennon perched on one of the bar stools and crossed her arms over her chest. The floaty summer dress she wore rode up, exposing her thighs. If we’d been anywhere else, I would have ripped it off her body right there and then.
“Tell me more about this London idea.” I carried on buffing a glass, pretending to look busy in case any of the management team came around.
“You know I need somewhere to stay when I go back to uni? Well, I’ve been looking at some flat shares and have booked a bunch of viewings,” explained Lennon. “They’re for tomorrow and the day after, so we could have a night in a hotel.”
“Does that mean we get to have hotel sex?”
Her eyebrow quirked. “We could do that right now.”
Fuck.
She had to stop talking like that. I would be in a whole heap of trouble if she didn’t.
I fixed her with a look. Her icy blue eyes glittered with mischief, and I bit my lip. Could we get away with it? Curtis came over before I could consider it any further.
“Hey, Lennon, what are you doing here?” He dumped a tray full of empty glasses and coffee cups on the bar.
“Trying to persuade Justin to help me sort out my future. He’s not helping though.” She shot me a wink.
“Any chance you can work for me tomorrow and the day after?” I asked. Nothing ventured. “I’ll take your shifts at the weekend.”
Curtis screwed up his face. “I wanted to start planning for Amber’s birthday party. She’s given me alonglist of presents.”
“You can still do that here. It’ll be quiet. Please?” I begged. More than anything, I wanted some time away from Ealynn Sands with Lennon.
“And I’ll help you with the presents,” Lennon added. She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Please, Curtis? It would be a great help.”
He sighed and held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I know when I’m beaten. I’ll do it.”
Lennon let out a squeal and hugged Curtis. I high-fived him.
It looked like we’d be addressing the future a lot sooner than I’d thought.
* * *
Alex tookus to the station the next morning. I figured me owing him one was much cheaper than owing our local taxi drivers.
I yawned at the ridiculously early hour. The first of Lennon’s viewings-slash-interviews was at eleven. With a three-hour train journey ahead of us, plus a trek across the city on the Tube, Lennon had made sure every part of the trip came with some wiggle room in case of delays. But being at the train station at quarter to six in the morning made me sick with tiredness.
“You can sleep while we’re travelling,” Lennon suggested. “I think I’ll do the same.”
I caught sight of her in the rear-view mirror as she checked her rucksack for all the paperwork she needed. “Thanks for this, mate.” I slapped Alex on the shoulder.
“Next time, make it a later train.” Alex grinned, only half joking. “Have a good trip. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Narrows it down,” I laughed.
“Get out of here. I want to get back to bed for a few hours.”
“Funny, I said the same thing to Lennon.”
Alex flipped me the middle finger as Lennon and I got out of the car. He waved one arm out of the window as he drove off.
We stood on the platform with the other people waiting for the train. Most looked like businesspeople, with laptop bags and overnight cases. There were also a few around our age or younger, with large suitcases and bags. I assumed they must be students too.
I tried to stifle another yawn.
Lennon looked up from her phone. “We’re in the quiet carriage, so no snoring,” She teased.
