“I’m sorry, I got carried away. I couldn’t help teasing you—the opportunity was there and I just had to grab it!” smiling at him with pure innocence.
He laughed too, his throaty sexy laugh. “Woman, you almost gave me a heart attack! That was some sexy stuff you just pulled. Lucky, I didn’t take the bait and had my wicked way with you!” winking at me and opening his door to get out of the car.
He went to my side, opened the door and held his hand to help me out. Chivalry’s always alive and kicking with Blake and Toby. I’m lucky to have found Lucy as my flatmate and made very good friends with those two caring men, Blake especially.
“Did you make a reservation?”
“Don’t worry about anything. I got it handled.” He said reassuringly.
I nodded.
“Mr, Knightly, lovely to see you again. How is your grandfather?” questioned the maître d', middle-aged man wearing a suit and thick glasses, as he ushered us to our table. “He’s lovely, thank you,” he said casually, while placing his hand on my back as we headed to our table.
“Here we are! Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you, Mr. Knightly. Good to see you again, Enjoy,” he said enthusiastically at Blake. “Thank you, Gerard.”
Gerard gave a light nod and smiled towards me and stealthily left our table.
I knew he and his grandad came here often. Blake adores his grandfather. He took him in when Blake was ten years old, after both of his parents tragically died of an avalanche in the Swiss Alps skiing on their wedding anniversary. I met his grandfather, William, once during my visit in Blake’s flat in Mayfair when his grandfather decided to give him a surprise visit. He was a charming and engaging. From the affectionate way they interacted, I knew they loved each other deeply. I’m happy for Blake because even if tragedy struck him, he still had a loving family member to care and support for him unconditionally, unlike me.
“I’ll have Eggs Benedict and cappuccino, please,” I didn’t need to look over the menu. I knew what I wanted.
“A woman with a hearty appetite, I like that” I snorted and laughed. Ha! I’m sure you do.
“What’s so funny?”
“You”
He raised a brow, curious and waiting, “ANNND?”
I shrugged.
“It’s just—you know—you only date models or ones that look it and I bet those types hardly eat or simply nibble at their food, I’m sure,” I said sarcastically. Why does he date only women that look like that? I didn’t peg him to be a shallow man—but then again, I suppose his libido makes the decision.
I was curious and wanted to know the truth.
“I do not!”
I shrugged, not wanting to argue.
The waiter came and got our orders. He had to go outside to take a business call. I was left there to my own devices, so I pulled out my phone and texted Jen letting her know that I got back okay, that she shouldn’t worry about me and I would call her as soon as I get a chance. She was a good friend from back home and was one of the people in my support system.
She was there with me when I saw Kyle again with his girlfriend. Thinking about that made my stomach churn and burn with acid.
Fuck.
The bitch gave me a smirk and held of Kyle’s arm and looking at me with scorned expression.
I didn’t go back there to steal him from her. I just needed closure, but got more than what I bargained for.
Three
Saturday,
Santa Monica,
Katie’s Beach House Party
(8 days ago)
‘What’s your choice of poison?’ the uber hot bartender wearing only surfer shorts and a garter bow-tie to complete his ultra-surfer look asked. Hot might be understated more like scrumptious to be fitting. Exotic with caramel eyes and to-die-for smile accompanied with perfect teeth.
I giggled like a school girl. ‘Um, I’d like a lemon drop and a…? I trailed off glancing at Jen.
‘What would you want to drink Jen?’
‘I’ll have sex on the beach babe,’ she said with a wink. I’m sure she’s just want that with a little sand and soft waves. Flirt.
He started setting up our drink as I pulled Jen next to me. She was still looking at the bartender through her eyelashes and I knew right then and there that she already had set her sights on this one.
“Jen we just got here, can the flirting wait? I kind of need you to stick with me tonight. I sort of need armory or more like a shield,’ I said with an antsy smile and pleading tone.
‘Doll, you can’t be seriously hung up on Kyle still, are you?” She said accusingly at me, her brows in a straight line.
‘Umm… well, I don’t know… I want to talk to him…”
‘What do you mean you don’t know? He cheated! You can’t second guess that sweetie. He’s moved on and from what I’ve heard things have been going steady and serious.’
Steady and serious. Huh. Wow. How could he do this to me? To us?
I wanted to scream my anger and lash out at him, but it wouldn’t take back what he caused already. I guess, he didn’t want to wait and wanted a change. I was hoping to catch him tonight and talk. I didn’t try calling his phone because I wanted to see his face, if he could say it to my face. I needed this closure, so I can close the hatchet forever and never look back with regret. I needed a clean slate, no doubts hanging about in my semi-lucid brain.
I knew he was going to show up, he always shows up at parties and I don’t doubt that his lady-love will be with him too.
‘Whatever, it doesn’t matter… just hang with me for a bit okay? I promise to take you for fro-yo tomorrow,’ I fielded her question. I cannot answer that myself at this moment. This was our always to-go place second to Starbucks.
‘Here you go Ladies! Enjoy!’ purrs the hot-tender.
‘Thanks,’ we both synchronized.
‘Okay, I’ll stick with you for awhile but not long before someone snags him! God, have you seen that tight body?’ she said glancing once back to the bartender before heading to the beach where some people we know from high school were located.
“I want to just drag him somewhere dark and see if those lips live up to my imagination! Do you think he’ll be into me?’
I glanced at her like she had two horns on her head. “Have you gone mad hun? You know you’re a knock-out right? And besides, he was totally checking you out.”
Seriously, sometimes I think she doesn’t really know how beautiful she is. This part of Jen was the doing of a stupid selfish ex-boyfriend who mentally and emotionally derided her, and she totally succumbed to the douchebag’s manipulative ways because she was blinded by love.