Page 68 of Kiss Me Ever After
The rug went from underneath me and I collapsed against the doorjamb. “Gone? Where?”
“London.”
“Is she coming back?” I managed.
“No.”
Last night’s whisky, today’s coffee and an empty stomach conspired against me and I dashed to the downstairs bathroom before I threw up all over the Kane’s hall floor.
Lennon had gone.
30
Lennon
“You really weren’t jokingwhen you said you weren’t like other students.” Lucas came into the living room where I was reading over my notes from the day’s lectures.
Since coming back to London, I wasn’t enjoying uni as much as I had before. Whether a summer of earning money and having responsibility had changed me, I couldn’t be sure. I yearned for a job, rather than a first-class degree. To combat that somewhat—not to mention it totally helped with the rent—I’d found a job in a local coffee shop. The experience from the Blue Goose stood me in good stead this time. I’d struck up a good friendship with one of the other girls there, Carly. A little older than me, we had similar backgrounds, minus the dad with shady business intentions. When I wasn’t working, I trawled websites for jobs and internships until I found the courage to apply for them.
“When did you last go out?” he asked. “Come on, you’re too young and gorgeous to stay home every night with your nose in a bunch of textbooks.” He dropped onto the sofa beside me and nudged me with his shoulder.
I’d given him the bare bones of what happened between me and Justin. Given Lucas had met him, it only seemed fair to let him know Justin wouldn’t be visiting any time soon. Or ever, in fact.
Lucas wasn’t prepared to let me wallow, though.
With a sigh, I tossed the book to one side. “Okay. One drink.”
Lucas shot me a smile of triumph. “Excellent. Go get your coat, you’ve pulled.”
I took my stuff back to my room, grabbed a denim jacket from the wardrobe and picked up my bag. “Where are you taking me?” I asked, already determined not to enjoy myself.
“Ah, you’ll see.” Lucas grinned.
Of all the places we could have gone, I really hadn’t expected to find myself in a karaoke bar belting out Lady Gaga hits really loudly and very badly. Lucas introduced me to his boyfriend when we arrived. I’d heard a lot about Mario, and it was great to finally meet him. Seeing Lucas and Mario so happy was a stark reminder of my single status, and I had to have a large glass of wine to console myself. Before long, Iwasactually enjoying myself. Lucas’s friends were great fun and the perfect distraction.
“Lucas said you’ve recently moved in with him. Where were you living before?” Robert, the one guy who’d been friendliest to me the whole night, sat down beside me while we took a breather.
“I had a flat in Mayfair last year.”
He let out a whistle between his teeth. “Living with Lucas must be a bit of a let-down after that.”
“Not exactly. It’s been great, so chilled.” That much was true. With Lucas, Lisa and Toby being so laid back, the drama of Justin and Candace seemed a world away. Grateful didn’t even begin to cover it.
“He says you’re studying Fashion Marketing? What do you plan to do after you graduate?” Robert sipped his beer and slid a little closer to me.
It had been such a long time since someone had taken an interest in what I did, I ended up word vomiting all over Robert. I rambled about maybe getting a job instead and told him about the failed New York internship.
“New York is such an amazing place,” he said. “I went there for work recently. In fact, I could probably dig up some contacts for you.”
“Really? That would be fantastic!” I beamed, then wrinkled my forehead. “You’re a computer geek, though. How do you know fashion people?”
He laughed. “I do have a life outside of computing.” As if to justify his statement, he told me about his fitness regime and how much time he spent at the gym. “You should come along to a class with me. It’s great.” Robert ran a hand down my jean-clad leg. “Although you’re in great shape already.”
I stared at his hand on my thigh. It didn’t feel bad. Only it didn’t feel like Justin.
“Hey, why don’t we get out of here? I can look out those contacts for you,” suggested Robert.
“Let me go to the bathroom first.” I got up and looked around. “And I’ll let Lucas know we’re leaving.”
