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“It’s nothing. Some stupid thing Elizabeth was involved in.” My stomach churns. Fucking Elizabeth. I told her to drop it. Why the hell would she tell Felicity? Then it occurs to me—maybe she didn’t. Maybe she told David, who then told Felicity. That would make more sense, even though it still makes me mad.
Sidnie studies me for a moment while I fume inwardly. Eventually, she taps my phone and checks the time, then says, “You still want to go to the party this evening?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Now I do.”
“What do you mean?”
I inhale deeply, let it out slowly, then smile. “Why don’t we have a shower, and then we can get ready?”
I wait for her to counter with a question or quiz me about the award. But instead she says, “Come on, then. But no touching of the erogenous zones in the shower.” She draws a circle around the middle of her body. “Any more orgasms and you won’t be able to do anything with me for a fortnight.”
I chuckle, get up, and pull her to her feet. “Your whole body is one big erogenous zone. I’d better not touch you at all.”
Loving her for not plying me with questions, I take her into the bathroom, and we shower together under a lukewarm spray. I wash her gently with the shower gel, using my hands to smooth it over her skin, but taking care not to touch anywhere too sensitive. It still makes her sigh, though, and eventually she folds her arms close to her body and leans on my chest, pressing her lips to my wet skin. I put my arms around her and stroke her back, and we stay there like that for a while, letting the water run over us.
I try to put David-fucking-Clarke to the back of my mind, and just enjoy being with her. Resentment continues to burn in my stomach, though, and I know it’s not going to go away until I have it out with Elizabeth.
Eventually we turn off the shower and dry ourselves, and then it’s time to get dressed. Sidnie’s brought a pretty nude-colored vest with bands of sequins across it, and she’s matching it with some black trousers and a pair of extremely sexy high-heeled sandals.
“I finally get to wear them without worrying about being taller than the guy,” she says as she puts them on.
“If you’re trying to avoid more orgasms, it’s not working,” I tell her, and she giggles as she goes off to do her hair and makeup and ring her folks before we go out.
I choose a wine-colored dress shirt with pink paisley trim around the buttons, cuffs, and the inside of the collar, and pair it with black trousers and Oxford shoes. Then, while I wait for her to finish getting ready, I take Gus down to Jamie, as he texted me to say they’re staying in for the night and they’d love to have him, to save him being on his own.
“Wow,” Sidnie says when I walk back into the apartment. She comes into the living room, slotting in her final earring as she studies me with admiration. “You look hot.”
“Thank you.” I put my hands on her hips and nuzzle her neck. “You smell divine.”
“So do you.”
“Are you sure you want to go out? Or shall we just stay in and make out all evening?”
She chuckles and pushes me away. “No, I think we should go. I know you have Things To Do.” She gives a wry smile.
She knows I’m still seething away inside about Felicity’s comment. Oh, this girl already knows me so well.
“How’s your dad?” I ask her as we head to the door.
“He’s okay. Still feeling nauseous, but he’s coping.”
“He doesn’t mind you not being there?”
“Nah. Kate said they’ve played a few board games, but he’ll probably go to bed around eight. Mum might as well, she’s tired out. Kate and Liam are going to watch a movie with Julia, but I doubt they’ll stay up until midnight. It’s all good.” She sighs as we go out, and I close the door behind us. “I can’t believe it’s New Year’s Eve. I wonder what next year will bring?”
“Good things, I hope.” I take her hand and lead her toward the elevator. “If nothing else, I’ve got you, so it’s already going to have a fantastic start.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sidnie
Jamie drives us to Huxley’s, and tells us to text him when we’re ready to be picked up. Once again, I suggest we get an Uber, but both of them discount it.
At some point, I need to ask Mack about what happened in Scotland with Jamie and their parents, because I’m sure that’s the reason for their closeness now. Will he tell me? It’s so early in our relationship, and there’s no law that says he has to tell me his life story. But he’s told me he’s in love with me. He’s made it clear he wants to continue to see me. So at some point, he’s going to have to open up a little. I’m in no rush, but I’m not going to give my heart to a guy all the time he has secrets.
As we get out of the Aston and head toward Huxley’s, my stomach flips with nerves. Something’s going down tonight, and I’m not referring to what might happen when we get back to the apartment. Mack’s angry about Felicity mentioning the award, not with her, I think, but with Elizabeth for some reason. I tried asking him, but he changed the subject. And I’m not supposed to know about the MacDiarmid Award, so I can’t quiz him on it.
I think about the invitation that he ripped up and put in the wastepaper bin, puzzled as to why he’s angry about the nomination. I would have thought he’d have relished the opportunity to receive an award. Most people would. But then Mack’s not most people. That’s one thing I’ve learned about him, anyway.
