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“I appreciate that.”
“You’re a lovely, hardworking girl. I’m sure you’ll find another position soon.”
“Goodbye.” I end the call.
I slide the phone into my purse, then stare at my reflection.
First my father, and now me. Dad’s going to be like a deer in the headlights. Mum’s going to cry.
Oh dear God. What am I going to do?
Chapter Seven
James
“Have you seen Aroha anywhere?” I ask Damon’s mother, Mae.
“I just saw her going into the house,” she replies with a smile. “Probably visiting the bathroom.”
“Thank you.” I leave her to her guests and head up to the house.
It’s the perfect opportunity to get Aroha on her own. I’ve just finished dancing with Missie, who told me in no uncertain terms that I’m an idiot for not apologizing to Aroha for leaving early the morning after the trivia night. I had my reasons at the time, but she was right—I should have woken Aroha to explain. With her gently prompting that an apology might go some way to putting things right between us, I’m determined to seek Aroha out and at least try.
I go into the house and find the nearest bathroom. The door’s shut, so I cross to the window and look out at the view of the terrace and the city beneath it. The evening seems to be going well. I can only hope the wedding tomorrow is as much of a success as the rehearsal.
It’s funny to think of Damon getting married. He’s not the first of our group of friends, of course—Henry married Shaz a few years ago, and Tyson and Gaby got hitched earlier this year. The guys I see occasionally in Auckland are all married, as are Damon’s twin brothers. Even Alex—Oscar the Grouch—has found himself a girl. Both Saxon and Huxley already have babies, and no doubt more will be on the way very soon.
I feel like a guy standing outside a pizza parlor, declaring that he doesn’t like pizza. Other people are confused, and insist that if only you try it, you’re sure to like it. They don’t seem to understand when you tell them you say you don’t mind who eats it around you, but you’ve decided it’s just not for you. Why do people always want you to eat what they’re eating?
The door opens behind me, and I take a deep breath, turn, and smile at Aroha as she comes out. She looks gorgeous today in a long summer dress, and her hair is loose for once, and looks like satin where it tumbles down her back.
“Hey,” I say, “can I talk to you?”
She glares at me. “Now?”
Jeez, she’s still mad at me. “Come on,” I say gently, “I just want five minutes.”
I hold out my hand, intending to lead her into the library I know is just along the corridor. She ignores it, though, and strides past me into the room, where she stands in the middle, arms crossed and shoulders hunched.
“What do you want?” she snaps.
I take a deep breath. “I want to apologize for leaving early the other morning. It was rude and unforgivable, and I really am sorry. In my defense—”
“James,” she says, “I’m really not interested.”
She’s not making this easy. “Come on,” I say, “let me explain…”
“Why should I?” she demands. She’s breathing fast, and she looks distressed. “You flirt with me all evening, dance with me, stick your tongue down my throat, invite me back to your hotel room, and then you fall asleep on me? You embarrassed and humiliated me, James. And I’m really not in the mood to forgive you right now.”
I study her for a moment. She looks a mixture of furious and upset. I lift an eyebrow. “I didn’t fall asleep right away, from what I recall.”
Her eyes widen. “You remember what happened?”
“Of course I remember,” I say, amused. “I was tired and exhausted, not comatose. I’m not going to forget something like that.” I can still remember the taste of her, the way she slid her hand into my hair, and how she moaned my name as she came. I’ve dreamed about it every night since.
But I frown as her chest heaves with indignation. “I really am sorry, and I’d like us to stay friends.”
“Well, I don’t. I hate you, and I never want to see you again.”
