Page 55 of Unexpected Company
My stomach sinks.
“I’m not due to leave until New Year’s day,” I say. It’s only then that I notice the black car at the end of the cobbled path.Valley Airport Transfers:thewhite print on the side of the door reads.My first thought isthat’s not my cab driver.It’s not Charles. But then I circle back to Liam’s words.
“Come inside and explain.” I gesture Liam inside and Garrett disappears down the hallway, presumably to put on some clothes. Liam gives me a once over – Garrett’s flannel shirt buttoned up and reaching my thighs, where a pair of silk undies sit beneath the hem.
“Found yourself that lumberjack, then?” Liam asks, following me into the kitchen. He fumbles with the cupboard and, though I love my best friend, I am irrationally irked by his presence in this space that I have come to think of as mine and Garrett’s.Ours.
“He’s a writer.” I fill the kettle with water and then flick it on. “What’s going on, Liam? You must have left fucking early this morning to fly in from London.”
Liam swivels and leans his hip against the kitchen counter. The one that Garrett and I share most of our meals at.
“You’ve been invited to Spencer Park’s party tonight. I couldn’t reach you on your phone – obviously – and this is a huge thing.Given the whole Santa debacle, him inviting you shows that he has your back. You cannot miss it.”
If I am a pretty big deal in the social media world, Spencer Park is essentially the king of that same world. He throws these huge, usually last minute, parties which is a who’s who of the industry. I’ve never been invited before. Liam is not wrong, thisishuge.
Then why can I not muster the appropriate excitement?
“How bad is it?” I ask, referring to the whole ‘debacle’ as he calls it. Liam opens the cupboard and takes out three mugs and a box of Oolong tea that Garrett bought on his trip into the village before Christmas.
The same trip we were meant to do today.The thought makes my chest tighten. I don’t want to leave here. Not yet.
“As expected, someone else did something way worse and though the memes are still around, it’s mostly forgotten. I couldn’t get the sponsors back, but rumour is that there will be some big opportunities at the party.”
Liam puts a tea bag in each mug, then sidles over to me. He places a hand on each shoulder and turns me so that we’re face to face.
“Why don’t you seem happy about this? Spencer fucking Park!” He shakes my shoulders, my fringe falling into my eyes.
Swiping the back of my hand over my forehead, I say, “I am. I just...” I look to the doorway and then back into the blue eyes of my friend. “I wasn’t ready to leave.”
He grins, his dimples popping with the action.
“I figured you’d be bored shitless out here by now. But I misjudged you, Supernova. Nothing is ever simple with you, is it?”
“I was far from bored,” I say with a smirk. “Whatever the opposite of bored is, that’s what I was.”
Liam laughs, dropping his hands from my shoulder and resuming his tea making. He’s made me thousands of cups of the heavenly drink since we first met, falling into old habits even out here in the middle of nowhere, Yorkshire.
“Oh, I bet.” His smile falls when he looks back at me, handing me a mug of black tea. “But it’s time to come home now. This is your career we’re talking about. The one you’ve –we’ve– worked fucking hard for. I don’t want to have to explain how standing up Spencer’s offer could kill your reputation. Far more than spoiling Christmas for countless children ever could.”
I tense at the reminder. I’ve done so well putting the whole thing behind me, some days not even thinking about work at all. It’s been the best break I’ve had since I started down this path.
Blowing out a breath, I nod. “Yeah, okay. I know. When do we need to leave?”
Liam blows on the steaming mug in his hand, taking a sip before answering.
“You have thirty minutes to pack up. I asked the cab to wait.”
“Thirty minutes!” I exclaim. “Jesus, Liam. That’s hardly enough time to…” To what? Say goodbye? Pack up my shit? Get myself ready to return to that loveless, empty building that is my home?
Fuck.
“The party is tonight, Ro. You know Spencer never gives notice on these things. To be honest, the guy is a wanker. He’s of the opinion that the world revolves around him and doesn’t consider other people or their plans.”
Liam pulls a stool out from under the counter – Garrett’s stool – and plonks himself down. “Now go. Pack your shit. Say goodbye to your lumberjack and let’s get this show on the road. That plane will not wait for you.”
I huff, defeat heavy on my drooping shoulders. Going to this party could sky rocket my career. Not going could destroy it.What choice do I have? Ilovemy job. I can’t see myself doing anything else, even if it often leaves me feeling incredibly lonely. Millions of people adore me, but I only want one of them to love me.
Like I love him.Huh. Why couldn’t this realisation come to me sooner? Why did it have to come right when I need to leave?
