Sweet Reflection (12 page)

“I should probably get going.” Her words bring me back to reality so fast I’m seeing stars. I can’t make my move now, she’s basically just brushed me off. I haven’t asked her about Ryan yet, but I can’t bring it up now, she might get defensive like she did last time and I don’t want to ruin things after we’re getting on so well.

“Yeah okay.” I try to quickly think of another reason to see her again but there’s no need because she’s got one.

“So, if this deal goes through then I want to have an event at the store. You know, announce the new development, invite clients and businesses and friends. A bit of networking really. And a good excuse for a party. Would you like to come? I can have the plans for people to look at, so they’ll know you’re the designer; it would be good for both of us.”

She didn’t need to add the last part, there’s no doubt I’ll go and support her. “Of course I’ll be there. Just text or ring me and let me know when it is.”

We walk downstairs and she slows as she reaches the door. “I know I’ve said it a few times, but thank you for doing this, I really appreciate the help.”

“It’s fine. I love what I do and if I can do some good in the process then all the better.” Before I realise what I’m doing I lean forward and kiss her cheek. It moves under my lips as she smiles and looks down fiddling with her bag.

“See you soon, beautiful.” I open the front door and give her a quick wink as she steps out.

“Bye James.” She smiles over her shoulder walking down the drive to her car and I wave her off reeling over the success of the night. I close the door and lean against it, breathing out heavily. I’ve never had to exercise so much restraint around a female before and if she hasn’t completely forgotten about Murphy yet, she will have soon.

Laurel

I arrive at my front door the same time as the pizza guy, and if he didn’t think I was a nut-job before, my cheek-topping smile like I’m the Joker has him thinking it now. I’m sad about how things ended up with Ryan, but my opinion of James has completely changed. Whether or not it will stay that way, is yet to be discovered, but for now, I’m the most relaxed around him I’ve ever been and I feel like I’ve got to know him better. Plus, the plans for Proposals are exactly how I imagined.

“That’s a big grin on your face. Care to share or do I not want to know?” Mum laughs at me and I set my bag and the pizza box on the coffee table and stretch back on the sofa.

“I’ve just been at James’ house going over the design plans. They’re the best I think they’re ever going to be. How I dreamed actually.”

“Oh I’m pleased for you honey. It’s great news. Have you looked more into the Shaw investment?”

“Yep, I googled her and she’s worked with some great small businesses. I didn’t think I would know that many of them considering she’s lived in London for years, but there are a lot of smaller chains that have now opened up more widely in the East. I think it’s the best thing for Proposals so I rang her and we’ve got a meeting tomorrow.”

I quickly get changed into my pyjamas, pick up a slice of pepperoni pizza and settle back into the cushions for a night of rom-com films; just what I need to keep the smile on my face.

“Darling, everything seems fine to me, obviously you need to show it to the solicitor you’re using, but there’s just one thing,” mum says as I show her the contract Alex gives me the next day.

“I really think you should have something more concrete in there about buying her out.”

“But mum, I’m never going to have that kind of money, and I can’t do it all on my own anyway.”

“Of course you can. You know your business better than her – she’s just helping you with the money. What if you win the lottery or do fantastically well and you have the money to buy her out. Wouldn’t you want to?”

Of course I would want to, but I just can’t see me ever having the amount of money she’s putting into my business. It’s probably not even that much to her, but it means everything to me.

“Yes I would. But I won’t ever have that money.” Mum look shifty, her eyes aren’t looking at mine she just keeps staring at the contract, and fiddling with the paper. She’s hiding something, I can tell. But I also know if she doesn’t want to tell me, I won’t find out.

“Please, just do this for me Laurel. It’s important for your future. Who knows what’s around the next corner?”

I know what she’s saying makes sense. Of course it does, but now I am intrigued more than ever about her reasoning behind it.

“Okay, it makes sense. I’ll have her change it.”

Mum looks relieved and goes back to sipping her tea. “So what are you doing about this party then?”

“Well as soon as we both sign this contract I’ll hand drop invitations to all the relevant local businesses and some close friends and clients. Ryan’s already said I can borrow some glasses from the bar, so now I just need to get the booze and food, then we’re sorted.

“Let me know if I can do anything honey. So do I get to meet this James at the party then?”

“Um, I guess so. He said he’d come. Why do you want to meet him anyway?”

“Oh, I just want to thank him obviously. He’s helped you out, gone to all that trouble, for nothing in return.”

“What are you smiling at?”

“Darling, you like him, it’s written all over your face when you talk about him. You’ve got a goofy grin. Just like the one last night.”

I cover my mouth with my hands and do my best to wipe the smile away. It doesn’t budge. I focus on pulling my eyebrows together in a frown but that doesn’t work either. She’s right, as usual. I’ve not felt like this in ages. Darren’s there in the front of my mind stopping me from telling James how I feel. But that doesn’t stop the small ripple of hope that’s making its way round my body, that’s settling at the back and trying to push its way forward.

“I can’t wait to meet him. What’s he like? Is he good-looking?”

“Mum, please tell me you’re going to keep your cool at the party. Don’t embarrass me.” I warn her with a small smile still on my face. James and I haven’t even talked yet, I don’t know what’s going to happen. Things are better between us, but as far as I’m concerned he’s still the same man-whore he always has been so the last thing I need is my mother giving anything away. She shrugs and carries on sorting out some paperwork on the kitchen table. She knows exactly how to get information from me and I find I’m telling her more than I’ve even told Cassie.

“Yes, he’s ridiculously good-looking, and he knows it.” I sigh as I join her at the table and rest my chin on my hand.

“So he’s a heartbreaker, just like your father. We sure know how to pick ‘em.”

My mouth drops open. This is news to me. He was always so loving towards her, and I know they got together quite young, I had just assumed that they were each other’s firsts.

“Dad was like that?”

She pauses, taking off her glasses, and leans across the table like she’s going to tell me a secret, “Darling, your father had a whole heap of girls before me, and a queue waiting the whole time we were together.” She laughs at my head that’s shaking with disbelief, and starts to gather the papers in front of her.

“So…did he cheat on you?” I feel like I could be sick if she answers yes. I always looked up to their relationship and even now I still have it on a pedestal.

“Of course not.” She chuckles. “I just meant, that he was a good-looking man too. And when I met him, he had a reputation. It’s in our genes to fall for the bad boy. You just need to make sure he’s willing to be good. Sometimes. But not all the time, because that would be boring, wouldn’t it? You’re just like me Laurel, you need someone who’s going to challenge you; keep you on your toes and a nice guy just won’t cut it I’m afraid.”

My mother’s words repeat over and over in my head as I put the finishing touches to the buffet the following week. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them. My dad was a bad boy turned good. He turned good for her. Ryan is a nice guy; but something inside craves James’ unpredictability. He’s a heartbreaker, I’ve seen it happen when we’ve been out, but lately, he’s not been like that at all. He’s been thoughtful; he’s bought my favourite wine, and designed plans for my shop and said he just wants to help me out. I may be being naïve but it changes my perception of him completely. He’s been nice with a bit of edge and that only makes me stumble harder for him. I’m on my own, lost in thought, until Ryan walks in with a crate full of glasses.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself. It’s good to see you.” He says wrapping me in a tight hug.

“I’ve missed you.” I say as I snuggle a bit closer, then realise what happened the other night and pull away quickly.

He tilts my chin up so he’s looking straight into my eyes and briefly touches my cheek, “I don’t want this to be awkward. We can be friends, Laurel. That’s how it all started and that’s how it will end. I’m fine with that. I just don’t want it to change
us
and if I thought it would, I would never have kissed you. You’re friendship means more to me.” He searches my eyes for some kind of confirmation I understand what he’s saying and I give a brief nod before nudging his shoulder teasingly. “If you want me to set you up, I have a friend who I think you would get along great with.”

“I’m staying away from girls for a while. A whole heap of trouble.” He winks and we’re back to how we were before the whole kiss thing last week.

“Oh I have some guy friends that would be interested too.” I wiggle my eyebrows and he rolls his eyes in mock exasperation.

“That’s not really my thing. I go for beautiful blonde girls, in case you haven’t noticed.”

“How about hot red-heads?” I ask, mentally crossing my fingers that he seems interested. He looks thoughtful, then the grin comes back.

“You’re not very subtle you know. I assume you’re talking about Jen?”

“Maybe,” I answer slyly. They’d be so good together, and I want them both to be happy. “Don’t answer now. Think about it. Talk to her tonight, see if you get on. And I can work my magic!” I clap my hands together excitedly; I haven’t used my matchmaking skills for a while.

He laughs raucously and turns to go back and get more crates from his car.

The party gets into full swing and I’ve invited pretty much the whole town. The showroom’s not huge, but people have spilled into the corridors too so there’s enough space for everyone to mingle. For the next hour I circulate trying to build up as many contacts as possible, and tell everyone I can about the refurbishment plans and investment. I keep one eye on the door as I talk to Scott, the manager of a local hotel. I think he’s trying to flirt with me and it makes me uncomfortable until James walks in with his sexy swagger and a smile, and all other thoughts are thrown aside.

Chapter Nine

James

By the time I get to Proposals I’ve wound myself up so tightly wondering how she’ll react, I only hope she feels the same as I do. If she rejects me I can’t even comprehend how I’ll feel because I seem to have convinced myself that she’ll welcome me with open arms. She wanted me weeks ago when we kissed, but things have happened since then, including me being an absolute jackass and her getting with Murphy so I only hope that she realises how much I regret my stupidity. The room looks fantastic as I step inside and look around, there are so many people here. I walk round the showroom taking it all in. There are customers and friends and family and it looks like there are several local business owners here too. She’s going to make some great contacts through networking like this. I take a drink from the bar and down it quickly – hopefully it’ll give me enough courage to finally do this once and for all. I lean against the wall as I wait for her to finish her conversation with the manager of one of the local hotels.

“You know you look like a creep just watching her.”

Blake slaps me on the shoulder and laughs. We haven’t talked about her properly in months, I’ve just been ignoring it. “I’m not watching her. I’m waiting to talk to the guy she’s chatting with. Gonna see if I can get a contract to redesign the interior of The George. It’s looking a bit worse for wear these days.” I’ve never felt the need to lie to Blake before but he’s tilted his head and raised an eyebrow because he knows.

“Good story, but I call bullshit. You two are ridiculous.” He snorts and slowly shakes his head at me.

“What you on about?”

He nods over to Laurel, “You both just keep dancing around each other and it’s ridiculous. Everyone thinks it. Mate, you need to man-up and tell her how you feel. Girls like her don’t come around very often, but when they do, you gotta be smart enough to grab hold of them and never let go. She’s sweet, she’s sexy, she’s funny, and she’s into you. I don’t know what else you want. She’s a hundred times better than Shannon, or Chrissy or whoever it is this week. Just tell her, ‘cause we’re all sick of the UST.” He’s smirking but I can tell he’s still serious.

“But what if she wants a relationship?” I want Laurel. There, I’ve actually said it. But a relationship, and all the shit that comes with it? I don’t know if I could handle that. I haven’t had a steady girlfriend since Natasha Key in year eight. That lasted a few weeks and she broke up with me because I kept getting distracted by her best friend Hannah.

He cries with laughter so loud that a few people turn to look over and tut at us.

“So fucking what? Give her one. And quickly, or someone else is gonna step in and you’ll miss your chance. She won’t be single forever. Dude, her conversation’s finished. Do it now.” He walks away and over to Cassie and I’m left still thinking about whether I can do this. I’ve never felt like such a pussy in my life but when I scan the room and see Ryan standing with Jen and Emma I resolve to fight, because the last thing I want is to have to watch him kiss her ever again.

“We need to talk now,” I growl out and grab her by the arm. I fumble in the dark for the door handle and pull her into her office. She turns the lights on and as my eyes adjust I realise she’s put space between us and is on the other side of the room. It’s too far away for what I want to do so I take long strides and close the distance, backing her against the wall. This is it. She’s either going to press her body against mine and kiss me back, or she’ll slap me. Either way I’ll know how she’s feeling without the need for words; I’ve never been good with them. I bring a hand up to the back of her neck to pull her mouth against mine and my heart beats faster as my lips wait for her response. And when they start moving against mine I can’t believe that this is really happening. I’m sure as hell not stopping, I’m not backing down, and I’m not letting any misunderstandings get in the way of what this is. In fact, I don’t know what this is, but I know it can’t stop. This is the girl that I have craved for the past nine months. The girl who has had my head in a spin and my body in a constant state of arousal. And now I’m tasting her, claiming every inch of her mouth as mine and my tongue is thrashing against hers in familiar strokes that are leaving me weak at the knees. I break away from her lips to kiss her neck and my hands start to roam. If she doesn’t want this and stops me now I’m not going to be able to take it. I have to give her something, tell her something about how she makes me feel.