Page 42 of The Vow We Made
Before Will can plant a kiss on Steph’s hand, because I’m sure it would be his next move, I interrupt, giving Victoria the eye. “We should get going if we want to miss rush hour.”
“Yep, let’s go.” She hugs her friend again. “See you Wednesday Steph and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“I’ll try,” she sings in her well-spoken accent, “but I can’t promise anything.” I catch the look between Steph and Will yet again. Victoria and I could be invisible as far as they’re concerned.
“Nice to meet you, love, maybe see you again sometime.” Will signals with a lingering wave as he heads back to his cab.
I pick up Victoria’s bag and as I’m about to leave, I hear Steph whisper, “You know it.”
“What’s that?” Victoria asks although I’m sure we both heard exactly what she said.
“Nice work Vickie, very snogable.” Steph says and I’m sure she’s attempting to divert the focus back my way, but Victoria rises to it.
“Shhh, will you pack it in.”
Steph glances my way and giggles while heading back upstairs. “Bye Aiden. Don’t be a stranger.”
Victoria speaks through gritted teeth. “I will kill her.” I can tell it’s all for show. There’s a smile on her incredible lips.
The M4 out of London moves quicker than expected and what with the constant banter between us peppered with kisses, our journey takes half the time I thought it would. I remind myself every now and then that it’s Will diving us to the airport but he doesn’t seem to take much notice of what’s going on in the backseat.
Once we pull into Terminal 5, Will calls over his shoulder, “Take it easy Vickie.” I note how familiar he is. Either his boyish charm is working it’s magic or she prefers the shortened version of her name.
“I’ll be over the other side of the road in the Taxi rank,” he says, “but I’ll turn off my light and have a read of the paper, so take your time.”
I shout over the loud hum of the engine as we exit, “Cheers mate,” while I offer my hand to steady Victoria to the pavement.
I’m about to slam the door when Will calls, “Bring me a coffee on your way back, will you bruv?”
“Done.” It’s the least I can do considering the trouble he’s gone to this morning.
I retrieve Victoria’s bag with one hand while the other laces her fingers with mine. She looks towards our held hands and smiles to herself. Christ, I could kiss those soft sweet lips, but the moment passes quickly as she pulls my hand towards the terminal entrance.
Terminal 5 is relatively quiet at this time in the morning, so after checking in her bags, we head to the nearest coffee shop, both ordering a flat white and raising another smile at our coincidence.
This time together is an added bonus neither of us expected and while we sit opposite one another, I take advantage of my position and study her mouth, glistening with gloss of some type. It tastes of strawberry; which is something I found out when I kissed her in the back of the car earlier. Of course, I was surprised not to get a running commentary from Will. How he held back I don’t know but it wasn’t like him at all.
I’m still thinking about kissing those lips when she tells me shyly, “I loved our date. It was a great choice and very romantic.” I bring my attention back to her eyes as they lose their sparkle. “But I can’t stop thinking how I pushed you away in the pod. Coupled with the grilling I gave you about your friend, when you were only trying to explain who she was to you. It’s all been playing on my mind. Did I put you off?” She doesn’t wait for an answer. “I haven’t been out with a man in so long—”
“I thought we’d sorted this out. You’ve already explained why you were so anxious and I understand. I’m not offended, so there’s no need to go over it again. Everything is fine. Anyway, you think I’d get up at 4am for anybody else?” Her eyes shine again, so I take her free hand in mine. “Look, I can’t blame you for jumping to conclusions, but Georgie is my friend and I’m sure you two would get on like a house on fire. In fact, I’d love you to meet her sometime.”
She cringes. “Wouldn’t it be a little awkward?”
“I don’t think so. Why not give her a chance and you’ll see what I mean.”
The slight crease to her eyes enhances the contour of her cheekbones, defining her beauty even more if it’s possible. “Then okay,” she smiles. “I’d like that.”
The thought of her meeting someone else raises its ugly head again and because she’s been so honest with me about Georgie, I decide to air my own concerns. “You will be careful while you’re away.”
Her eyes narrow. “Of course. I’m always careful and I’m not nervous about travelling on my own.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I’ve got to do this carefully; otherwise, I’ll come across as a dick. “These big shot actor types—”
Victoria interrupts. “I won’t be meeting any actors at this stage, it’s only an interview.”
“Not necessarily actors then.” I give her hand a slight squeeze. “I’m sure in your line of work, you’re used to people coming on to you and I don’t have to mention how some men in your industry can take advantage.”
“What is it you think I do?” she jokes, and now I have to dig myself out of the small hole I’ve made.
