Chapter Six
Rowan
Rowan was just dropping off to sleep when his phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Leave it,a small, sensible part of his brain whispered to him. But some other, self-destructive bit of his mind objected strongly.
Who needs sleep?it said.Sit up, shine a bright light into your eyes and then spend the next few hours staring at the ceiling of this beautiful villa, the calming sound of waves in the background doing absolutely nothing to lull you into a peaceful slumber like it would for the average human being.
He groaned, the muscles in his shoulder and back protesting as he reached out for it. Wesley hadn’t been kidding about it being hard work to drag those parachutes across the field. The field was also a lot bigger in real life than it had looked in the photo on the director’s phone.
He squinted at the screen of his mobile and made out that it was a text message from his sister. Of course, she was bound to be up at all hours at the moment too. He wasn’t the only person in the world experiencing a broken night’s sleep.
Siobhan: A likely story.
He rubbed his eyes and propped himself up in bed, scrolling back to see what he’d sent to her in the first place:
Rowan: It’s all lies, I’m just a regular arsehole, not one who is getting his end away.
Oh, that was right. When he’d realised that the story was out about him and Cassandra, he’d sent messages to his family. He couldn’t let them think that he’d ditched them, saying he needed to go on a work trip, and them seeing the photos and thinking he’d lied just so he could get his rocks off in the sunshine. No way.
To his mum he’d said:Sorry, the story isn’t true, I’m not dating anyone. No need to get the photo albums out or make interrogation plans.
To Jordan:Don’t get all excited, I’m not dating a supermodel and will not be bringing her or any of her leggy friends to family gatherings.
His mum’s response had caused him to choke on his smoothie that morning in makeup.
Mum: That’s a shame. It would be lovely to see you settling down. She’s very pretty…but maybe a bit old for you.
Cassandra would have gone purple with rage at the suggestion. Jordan’s response equally made him smile.
Jordan: I knew you weren’t that cool.
He propped himself up against the wooden headboard and tapped out a response to his sister’s “likely story” comment.
Rowan: Look at the evidence, please. Have you seen the photo on the tube they’re trying to make out was me on my way to see her?
As well as the photos from Italy, the media had found one of him on the underground, going to visit his sister at the hospital with an enormous bunch of flowers and the world’s biggest stuffed giraffe.
Honestly, the thought that he would be able to woo a woman like Cassandra with a stuffed giraffe was freaking hilarious.
Siobhan: How do I know you didn’t just fob me and Joshua off with the monstrosity when she didn’t want it?
Rowan: Well, first off. She was already in Italy. And secondly, that giraffe is not a monstrosity. It’s a work of art. Anyone would feel privileged to own it.
Siobhan: I’m gonna drop it around to your place then.
Rowan: I’m offended. You specifically requested an enormous teddy.
Siobhan: You need to go back to school, because a teddy is clearly a bear, not a giraffe. Freakish half dinosaur, half cow animals. You can’t cuddle a giraffe!
Rowan: I think you must be the only human being on the planet who doesn’t like giraffes.
Siobhan: Possibly, and as my brother, you really ought to have known that.
Rowan: Maybe, but it isn’t for you. It’s for Joshua. I don’t want him growing up in a household prejudiced against gentle giants. He needs to make his own mind up about these things.
Siobhan: Hmm. Anyway. You still went to sun-soaked Italy with a supermodel, instead of staying here in rainy London to help your family change nappies. Those are the facts.
