“Easy, lioness, I didn’t want him at The Ashton at first either but once I saw him, saw how unsettled he was and so un-Seb-like I had to hear him out. I just wish we could keep things simple between us, like we used to - it appears that that is something we’ll never be able to achieve again. All I have to do, is look into those beautiful, soulful bedroom eyes of his and I’m weak, desperate to climb on board and jump his bones!”
“Hmm, definitely an in the genes, Silver kind of superhero skill - Na has it too. I melt like warmed chocolate at his touch, his voice, his…”
“Exactly - you see where I’m coming from now.”
“Yes…Yes…Yes!!!!” She delivers a brilliant Meg Ryan impersonation from the movie when Harry met Sally and her giggles earn her a whack with the silk pillow on my lap.
“Dirty bitch.”
We are interrupted, by the clanging of the doorbell and I jump up to answer it, pay the pizza delivery boy and settle down to plate up our slices.
“Ahh, bliss. I’m bloody ravenous.” Abs digs in, speaking with a mouth full of crust. She is the only person I know to eat pizza, crust first.
“Me too. I need carbs tonight.”
“You do - you’ve lost weight.”
“I know I have, but I’ve not been hungry at all. Tonight I could eat a scabby donkey!”
“What were you going to tell me?”
“Oh yes…” I smile about my little secret and launch into the tale of Seb’s email invitation to accompany him to Dubai and the hotel launch. Hearing the words, make it seem real and I feel butterflies buzz around in my belly. “Of course I can’t go.”
“Why the bloody hell not?”
“Well Finn, for starters.”
I wait for her to finish her mouthful, before she continues. “Can your mum and dad not have him for then - I know she would want you to do this? It was only the other day she’d said to me how much you need a break. We’ve all been really worried about you, Lu.”
“I know, hun and I appreciate it - my mum said the same thing to me but I just thought if I were to go away, it would be with my son.”
“Lu - you can’t miss out on this opportunity to spend some full-on, uninterrupted, loved-up time with Seb; as a couple. If you are going to give him another chance, that is? It appears that he’s trying to make up for things and you need to meet him halfway - its only fair if you want to try make it work. Plus, it sounds like it could be a great work opportunity for Elysium.”
I mull over her words; they make crystal-clear sense. “I do want to go…you don’t think Finn would figure I’d deserted him?” Like Niall!
“Hun, if it makes you feel better, say to yourself it’s ALL business. You have to earn a living for you and your son. Besides, I have a feeling my news will sway you…”
I look up with a questioning frown, “Oh?”
“Yep - because, guess what?”
“Abby, just tell me - I hate surprises, you know that.”
“Ok spoilsport. I think you should go on this trip of a lifetime with Seb and then attend the launch party of The Jannah Hotel in Dubai… because… Nay and I are coming too!”
“What?” My screech is mixed with laughter and excitement as we giddily jump up and down on the sofa.
“Yep. I promise we are. Nathan worked on The Jannah too for a while so he’s invited and I’m his plus one.” She smirks with a sassy shoulder shrug. “We are going to have a total ball!”
“A Black & Gold Masquerade Ball from what I’ve heard.”
“Ooh really? How utterly, divine. Oh my God what are we going to wear?”
“I know - I’ll have to buy or hire something. It all sounds very glam doesn’t it? I only found out as I googled the hotel and then did my research from there. It’s only on the Friday night though and Sebastian wants me to fly out with him on the Saturday prior to that? That’s a full six days before?”
“Nathan and I fly out Wednesday and we’ll meet you there. Then we will all travel home together on the Saturday / Sunday.”
My frown is met with a know-it-all look and she ignores my silent questions. “Don’t pump me for more information. You’ll see. Just go with it.”
I chew on my lip, watching her lovely face, bursting with excitement. There was definitely more to this than she was letting on but I decide not to push and instead button it and continue eating my pizza in silence, all kinds of things buzzing around in my head. I’m so happy that Nathan and Abby are coming with us. It will be so much fun.
I think it’s high time I had a chat with my lovely parents…again. I know Finn would be fine, providing I bring him home some goodies but I’d miss him dreadfully.