‘What a fantastic venue,’ Seth says, getting into the car and pulling the door closed. ‘It’s a “yes”, right? We should call and tell Sienna tonight. Don’t want anyone else snapping up that date.’
‘I’m not really feeling it,’ I reply apologetically, pulling my seatbelt across.
‘You’re joking, right?’ Seth turns to me, his brow creased in confusion. ‘You were the one who wanted me to come here in the first place.’
‘I know, I know. Let’s just take some time to think about it,’ I reply. ‘There’s lots to mull over.’
Seth’s frown deepens. ‘Really? But I thought—’
‘That was a coincidence – your friend working there,’ I interrupt his protest.
‘I know. I haven’t seen Sienna in years. Don’t worry, she’ll make sure our day runs flawlessly.’
I ignore his assumption that we’re having the wedding here.
Seth snaps his seatbelt into place and starts the engine.
‘So, were you and she ... like, an item?’ I ask, feeling like I’m holding my breath. Not sure why this is bothering me so much. We both have exes; we both have pasts. I give an internal shudder as I think about Damian. I guess I just didn’t expect to be up so close and personal with one of Seth’s exes at our possible wedding venue.
His mouth twists as he puts the car in first and drives off down the avenue. ‘We did have a bit of a thing back in the day, but—’
‘A bit of a thing?’ I interrupt. ‘What? So she’s your ex-girlfriend?’ My heart plummets. I suspected as much, but it’s not great to hear.
‘Not really,’ Seth replies. ‘It was just light-hearted stuff. Nothing serious. We were young. It fizzled out after she left to go travelling.’
‘So, if she hadn’t gone travelling, you might still be together?’ I can hear the jealous accusations flying out of my mouth and internally I’m yelling at myself to calm down and shut up. I know I’m blowingthe situation way out of proportion, but I’m tired, irritable, and that girl is so beautiful that she’s managed to intimidate the hell out of me.
‘I doubt it,’ Seth replies. ‘I was too focused on my career. She was all about having a good time. We were very different.’
Well, that’s something at least. Although she’s obviously settled into a career now.
As we cruise along the avenue, the setting sun plays hide-and-seek through the bare branches of the trees, blinding me every second or so. I pull down the sunshade and try to put Sienna Doyle out of my head.
I trust Seth, of course I do. But the question is, do I trust Sienna?
Chapter Seventeen
NOW
The pub’s already filling up when Laurence and I arrive after my counselling session, but we manage to nab a table in the beer garden, glad of the oversized parasol as the sun is really warming up now. I order a Caesar salad, and Laurence orders a vegan burger and fries. The food is being delivered to our table by a friendly waitress who flirts shamelessly with Laurence when we see a familiar figure walking towards us, a worried expression on her face.
‘Fran?’ Laurence gets to his feet.
‘Hi, Francesca,’ I say, hoping everything’s okay.
‘Hi, Alice.’ She gives me an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry to interrupt you guys. I’ve been trying to ring you, Loz.’
He pulls his phone from his pocket and grimaces. ‘No signal.’
‘Yeah, that’s what I figured. That client of yours – Sarah W. – she’s outside the flat and says she won’t leave until she’s seen you.’
Laurence swears under his breath. He turns to me with an apologetic expression. ‘I’m going to have to go. She’s a vulnerable client ...’
‘Of course. You go. At least we drove separately. Get them to put your burger in a doggy bag.’
‘It’s fine, I’ll just have a few bites,’ he replies, proceeding to demolish the whole thing in two mouthfuls. ‘You can have my chips.’
‘Ooh, chips!’ Francesca says. ‘I might stay and keep you company, Alice, if that’s okay?’
