Page 91 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Okay,’ said Bea, forcing a smile. ‘Nathan won’t mind as long as he’s got someone with him.’ But if that was true, why did she feel so wretched about it?
‘What’s the date again? I’ll just check I’m actually free before you tell him—’
‘No!’ said Bea, her tone sharp. ‘I can’t. You’re right. I can’t let Nate down, not after everything he’s done for me.’
‘Okay, so what about Lochlan?’
‘I’ll message him and explain what’s happened. I’m sure he’ll be okay, and I can rearrange for another date. He’s going to be in London for a while longer. It’ll be fine.’
‘Wow!’ said Jess, sinking back into her chair. ‘I’m proud of you, you know. You’re actually taking my advice, and passing up a night in a swanky hotel for some local award that Nate probably won’t even win…’
‘Mates before dates,’ said Bea, firmly. ‘Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?’
‘Okay, well, there’s no time like the present,’ said Jess, picking up Bea’s phone. ‘Might as well call Lochlan now; get it over with.’
‘You’re right,’ said Bea, before hitting the call button. Maybe Lochlan would be in a meeting and she could just leave a message?
He answered on the second ring.
‘Hey, gorgeous,’ he said in a sexy voice. ‘How’s things?’
‘Yeah, good,’ she said, feeling a little shaky.
‘I can’t wait for you to get here. I’ve managed to get us the honeymoon suite for the night—’
‘I’m so sorry, Lochlan, I can’t come,’ Bea blurted out.
‘Why not?’ he asked, sounding stunned.
‘I’ve messed up my dates, I’m so sorry, but I’d already agreed to go to something else that night, I’d forgotten to put it in my diary…’
‘Okay…’ he said, slowly. ‘But it’s all arranged and paid for already, Bea. It’s taken quite a lot of effort, and all my colleagues want to meet you. I’ve got a big client dinner – can’t you just pull out of this other thing? This is important to me. How’s it going to make me look when I tell people you’re not coming?’
Something in his tone made her frown.
‘I can’t, I’m sorry. It’s Nathan, he’s up for a business award and he’d asked me to go with him first. It’s a big deal, Lochlan; a black-tie event at The Grand in Brighton. If he wins then—’
‘Hang on, you’re dropping me to go on a date with Nathan?’ Lochlan asked, incredulous.
‘God, no, it’s not a date,’ Bea replied, quickly, desperate to reassure him, ‘nothing like that. It’s just, he’s helped me so much with the book wagon, now it’s my turn to support him, and I’d already said yes, you see—’
There was silence at the other end of the line.
‘Lochlan? Are you still there?’
‘Yes,’ he whispered. ‘I’m just not sure what you expect me to say.’
‘It’s fine, you don’t need to say anything. Just know that I’m really sorry,’ said Bea.
‘Is there something going on between you and Nate? Because if there is—’
‘God, no!’ she said, mortified. ‘But I made him a promise and I don’t want to break it. It wouldn’t be fair. I’d still love to come to London some other time, though? Can we reschedule?’
Lochlan didn’t answer.
‘Look, I’m really sorry, I’m not sure what else I can say.’
‘Neither am I,’ he said, his tone clipped. ‘Just don’t make a habit of letting me down, Bea, it’s not a good look.’
