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“I don't really give a fuck whether she's pleased or not. If she's a being a bitch to you, then I'm more than happy to ruin her bloody party.”
I hide my smile in his chest. “Then Edinburgh it is. Are you serious about booking the tickets tomorrow?”
“Yeah, sure. I'll ask my PA—” He stops abruptly. “Ach, yeah, probably best not to do that, right?”
“Best not to,” I agree, still grinning. “I'll book them, you useless privileged bastard.”
He rolls over on top of me, pinning me to the mattress. “Less of the useless, sweetheart.” He presses his hips to mine. “I may be privileged, and I'm definitely a bastard, but I think you'll also find I'm very bloody useful indeed.”
* * *
The day before we're due to fly to Edinburgh, I find myself cornered in the canteen by Caro and her sidekick, Miranda. I've just slid my tray onto the trolley reserved for dirty dishes when I turn to find them in front of me. For a minute I'm reminded of that scene in The Shining when the little boy sees the dead twin girls in a corridor. Only Caro and Miranda are much scarier than that.
“Amethyst,” Caro says when I fail to speak first. “How are you?”
“I'm fine,” I say, not bothering to inquire after her health. “On my way to a meeting, actually.”
“In that case I won't keep you long. It's my birthday tomorrow and a few of us are going out for dinner. A space has come up and I know you'd love to join us.”
She speaks as though she's doing me a favour, without the merest hint of irony. I keep my smirk to myself when I realise the spot she’s referring to is Callum's, and only I know the reason for his change of mind.
“Oh that's a shame,” I reply. “I'm already busy, otherwise I'd have loved to join you.” I wonder if my sarcasm is laid on a little too thick. “Try to have a good time without me though, won't you?”
Caro frowns, three lines criss-crossing her dainty forehead. “I'm sure it's nothing you can't cancel. Everybody will be there, it would be really good for you to network.” She leans in as if she's doing me the biggest favour. “You won't get a chance like this again.”
It's difficult not to laugh. The knowledge I'm going to be spending the weekend with Callum buoys my confidence. “I'll have to survive somehow.”
“Where are you going that's so important?” she asks. There's a sneer in her expression that I want to wipe off, I hate the way she talks down to me.
“My boyf
riend's taking me away,” I say. “It's been planned for weeks, so there's nothing I can do.”
“I thought you'd broken up with him,” she replies. “Or is it one of those tiresome on-again off-again relationships?” She exchanges an amused look with Miranda, who's been silent for the whole encounter. “I heard he cheated on you. It's sad that you have so little self-esteem that you'd take him back.”
I’m tempted to tell her to stuff her opinions up her own behind. But I remind myself that I have so much more to lose than she does, and if I can lie enough to take her suspicions away, then that’s what I’ll do.
“I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment,” I reply. Maybe that’s why I’m here, talking to you.
“Well, if you’d prefer a weekend with a cheater to an expensive night out with a work colleague, so be it.” She rolls her eyes. “Next time I won’t bother to ask you.”
“I think that would be for the best.” I keep my composure. “We’re never going to be best friends, are we?”
She wrinkles her nose, as if I’ve suggested she eat a plate of dog food. “No, I don’t think we will.”
“In that case, I’d better get to my meeting.” I look at my watch with an exaggerated gesture, trying not to reveal I’m talking about an imaginary appointment. “I’ll catch you around.”
With that I push past Caro, leaving her and Miranda behind with the dirty dishes and messed up trays. The image of her face, marked with disdain, puts the biggest smile on my face.
23
Our flight lands in Edinburgh a few minutes before eleven. Although it took little more than an hour and a half, my back is still aching from sitting in one position for too long. I rub it as we join the line to exit the aircraft while Callum pulls our bags from the overhead lockers. Even without looking at I feel him frown.
“Are you hurting?” he whispers. His accent sounds broader now we’re back in his home country. I can’t help but find his burr sexy.
“Just a bit stiff,” I reply. “I’ll be fine once I’ve stretched it out.”
“Now that’s something I can help with. I’ve always liked testing your flexibility.”
