Page 73 of Kiss Me Ever After
For a while it had been more than okay, but now it only reminded me of what I’d lost.
* * *
After we’d finished eating,Mum and Sonya went to the National Gallery to check out one of the exhibitions, while Amber persuaded me to go shopping.
“Come on,” she said. “How often do I get to look in proper shops? And there might be some sales on.”
She dragged me up and down Oxford Street, then around Covent Garden and finally to Harrods. Normally I loved browsing, but my heart wasn’t in it.
“Even with a sale, I doubt we’ll be able to get anything in there.” I pulled her away, but she wasn’t having it.
“I promised Curtis I’d get him a Harrods teddy bear though.” She dragged me towards the door. “And we can at least grab a drink, I’m parched.”
Reluctantly, I followed her until she found the stuffed toy she wanted.
“He’s going to love it!”
I shook my head. I didn’t really see Curtis as a teddy bear loving guy, which had me wondering who the bear was really for.
Once she’d paid, we made our way to the Coffee Bar, an Art Deco-style space, bustling with customers.
“Bit different than the Blue Goose, hey?” Amber joked.
The Blue Goose versus the Harrods Coffee Bar didn’t even compare. I missed Bryony, Si and June. Bryony had been so understanding when I’d run out on her. I wondered how they were doing.
We waited for a few minutes until a table became free. Neither of us spoke, and I relished the friendly silence—I had every confidence Amber would want to talk as soon as we sat down.
Literally, the moment my arse hit the chair, she started.
“It is the weirdest thing ever, seeing Justin and Candace together again. I told him if he brought her to the house, I’d stop speaking to him.” Amber opened her menu, which at least meant I didn’t have to see her face as she spoke.
The thoughts of Justin and Candace together were tortuous. Now I understood everything. The veiled threats at my party and the final revelation at Amber’s birthday. Candace’s confidence in Justin going back to her wasn’t misplaced at all. I’d been taken for a fool all along.
A sucker for punishment, I asked, “Do you know if they’ll move in together? Your mum seemed to think Justin wouldn’t be at yours much longer.” The thought repulsed me. I didn’t want Justin to live with anyone else.
Amber lowered her menu. “I guess so. It won’t be too long before the baby’s here. And Justin’s even been going along to those parent craft classes with her.”
Involuntarily, I let out a laugh. I couldn’t imagine Justin enjoying that, but I had to come to terms with the fact there was no going back. We weren’t going to be together. It wasn’t possible now.
“Bet he’s loving that,” I said, as I scanned the menu. An Espresso Negroni called to me. Followed by a second one, and maybe even a third. Anything to make me forget.
“He’s definitely changed since you left. Doesn’t go out much unless it’s with Alex or Curtis, oh, or for something baby related with Candace. He moons around the house a lot.”
I should have been grateful to hear that. I chewed on my bottom lip. What if I did contact him to say hi? Let him know I was still alive, and things were going well. Would he be happy to hear from me? I had no idea.
“I’m sure he’s happy,” I said, after a long pause.
Amber raised her eyebrows. “Honestly, Lennon? I don’t think he is. I think he’s still madly in love with you and misses you heaps.”
Her words struck a chord.
It was exactly how I felt too.
33
Justin
Alexand I were watching the football when the front door banged.
