BOOK SIX: LAS VEGAS Men can be such insolent pigs, can't they?They make you angry, they make you cry, they make you question everything you ever thought about yourself.?Yes, I really hate men sometimes. They really are the bane of human existence.Especially when I am in love with one of them, and I have to ignore it because the pain of wanting someone I can never really have is too much to bear."No, I don't want any pink or purple. It's not a bloody disco! Send me the final proofs when you're done and believe me, there will be hell if I see one trace of either of those colours. Bye," I gruff as I hang up the phone impatiently.Gabe tsks in disapproval as we walk down the supermarket aisle, him holding the basket while I pick out the food for our dinner and movie night.I notice his disapproving stare. "What?" "Gee, are you sure you're not the one getting married? Bride-zilla hello!"I give him a playful scowl as I put down a packet of rigatoni pasta. "These people have
"Oooh, I really hope we find the one!" Jackie enthuses, nervousness tinged in her sweet and warm voice.?She looks at me with her wide ice blue eyes. Without a speck of makeup, she is a lovely looking girl with her natural tan and ash blonde hair. She will make a gorgeous bride."You will. When you find the one, there's no feeling like it.""That's the thing. How do you know? There are so many pretty dresses, how will I ever choose?""Well firstly, don't say that you like them all. Don't be afraid to say you hate it, it needs to be perfect in every way possible.""But"I see her twiddling her thumbs and I gently put my hand on hers. This might be a family affair and a personal engagement, but I need to treat her like a client first and foremost. "Nothing for nothing, I've done this a thousand times. You will know the dress when you see it. I mean, look at where we are."?I get her to take another look at our surroundings. We are sitting in the back fitting room of Isadora Vivien
Tristan looks like a giant, his height and build only accentuated by his navy jacket and relaxed jeans. A sexy giant. He crosses his arms, and turns to his mother with a frown on that damnably gorgeous face. Be still my beating heart. "Mum, what are you doing?"Janet shrugs her shoulders, feigning innocence. "What? I was just having a chat with Lacey, what's wrong with two gals catching up?""About what?""Secret girls' business," she blinks femininely and I grin nervously. "Uh-uh, I'm sure it's secret," he mutters under his breath. I smirk to myself. Even though he is a grown man, it's rather cute that he still gets embarrassed by his mother.Janet gets up abruptly, almost as if she was waiting for him to arrive. "Anyway, I'm going to leave you two alone, you should have lots of privacy where you are. It's pitch black at the back!"Tristan scowls at her. "Mum, please stop talking now."She giggles in a blasé fashion before looking at me. "Gosh he's stubborn, isn't he?""You
Putting the final touches on my cherry red painted lips, I'm happy with my hair and makeup. As I put the lipstick into my brown leather clutch, I start straightening my camel coat when my door knocks. That must be him. Tucking my hair behind my ear, I open the door to see Edmund on the other side with a bouquet of pink and white daisies, a big shopping bag beside his feet. He's sharply dressed in a long black coat and thick grey scarf. I'm dating a sexy older man. I never thought I would say this to myself but here I am. And I don't mind it at all."For you, my lamb chop," he smiles and hands the flowers to me. I'm dating a sexy older man who refers me to a piece of meat, the cliché does exist."They're beautiful!" I gush as I take them, opening the door wider. "I'm going to put these in a vase, come right in."He grabs my arm before I move and leans in to kiss me a polite, restrained and warm kiss. It's pleasant, nice really. He's a good kisser, his lips are soft, his breath is al
"Thank you. Call me as soon as anything changes alright? I want the gift bags ready Thursday morning, by the latest, so I can inspect them.uh-uhyepno problem okay, bye." I hang up, checking another email that has just popped up regarding the catering from the Estelle Salon."Sis, come on we're about to get on the plane. Turn the phone off!" Hansley reprimands as we drag our suitcases towards the departure gate. I continue reading the email, looking up and down as we dart through the crowds. Typing a few quick words, I'm halted as I realise we are at the waiting gate. Packed with impatient looking travellers, I'm glad we are here thirty minutes before the scheduled boarding time. The last few weeks have flown by and it's coming into September, which means it will nice and hot in Vegas. I've packed a good variety of tops, t-shirts, dresses, and one thick jacket. I wish Jackie was here, but no I'm travelling with Hansley and his entourage. They are going early for the bachelor party,
Vegas truly is Glitter Gulch, because that's all I see: glitter, lights, and bright neon signs. As we sit in the cab all I can do is pop my mouth open at everything that rolls before my eyes.The strip is an endless parade of dazzling lights, one glitter ball after the next and on a hot evening like tonight there is nothing like it. The Bellagio, The Aria, Bally's, and The Cosmopolitan all compete to be the brightest and glitziest. Even the dresses the women wear are shiny, all of them wearing super high platform heels, big hair. I certainly feel underdressed in my skinny jeans and t-shirt, that's for sure. At least, I packed enough suitable clothing, because it is hot for an evening. I'll definitely have to take advantage of the weather and use the hotel pool. Opting for a quick ride around town, we begin south at?Mandalay Bay and make our way north towards?Stratosphere?where our hotel is nearby. Because of the convenience with the wedding, we are all checking into the Estelle Salo
Clicking save on my file, I look over the run sheet once more. Everything seems to check out. Final menu confirmed? Check. Floral and candle arrangements in place? Check. Photography locations confirmed? Check. The only contentious issue is the cake, why is it always the cake? The happy couple have settled on a French Vanilla cream-filled sponge, served with balsamic glazed strawberries. Jackie was perfectly happy to let me choose the baker to do the job, but the hotel insisted on hiring their former head chef, Linda, who is now working as a freelancer. And she has been almost impossible to contact. When I finally managed to get in touch with her, she said she was busy around the clock with orders but that I didn't need to worry about it as she would be able to get it done on time. How can I be okay with someone who finally picked up after thirty attempts??Nevertheless, I scouted a local bakery that can make the cake with twenty-four hours' notice and I made Linda promise t
"I can't wait to see you Lacey! So soon now!" Jackie's lovely voice chirps through the phone. "Likewise. Just get here in one piece, and I'll sort everything else out for you, alright? Okay, bye."I hang up and drop my mobile on the bed, getting up to go to the bathroom. All of a sudden, my hotel phone rings. Geez, my phone is just ringing off the hook! Walking back to the bed I place the receiver to my mouth."Hello?""Hey, you coming down for dinner?" Hansley's voice comes through. "What do you mean, it's your bachelor party tonight." Not to mention I had planned to do some serious work on that 'Pro's' and 'Con's' checklist about London. My laptop is popped open, and that spreadsheet is waiting to be filled up. I've put it off for too long, I need to put in some serious time on it soon."I know, but come join us for dinner. I feel bad leaving you alone while I'll be out getting shit-faced."I sit down on the bed, checking the time. It's 5:30PM, his shenanigans aren't suppo
"God, you do sound like a pom, you've definitely been here too long," Tristan teases over the way I unintentionally pronounced yoghurt in a British accent. "Have not! Although the winters here are chilly, I miss our summer Christmases.""That's okay, I'm here to keep you warm."I bite my lip, loving how close he is to me. "So, what are you doing all the way out here?"He smirks at me, his gaze full of warmth. "I think you have an idea, no?" My cheeks warm as he huddles closer to my body, his height towering over me. We're standing on the end of Waterloo Bridge, the River Thames and the London Eye lying behind us like a beautiful backdrop. It's dark and the surrounding trees on the footpath are beautifully bright, adorned in blue lights. It was drizzling earlier, but it's now stopped and the pavement is mildly damp, adding to the general chill of the city. My suitcase by my side, Tristan is hovering over me as he backs me into the walled railing, his gloved hands rubbing my arms
Tristan. Is. Here. In.London.Specifically, he is outside the house where I have been living in London, with another man. A man who I've just broken up with. "Taxi Delivery Service, how may I help you?" the phone operator utters on the other end of the line, but it fails to reach my consciousness.Whathowwhoso many incomprehensible thoughts are racking through my mind right now. My heart is pounding like a jack hammer at the sight of him in a long black coat, jeans and scarf. The coffee eggnog is really not helping right now. "Hi" I whisper, barely audible. My insides are flooding with nerves. A jar of butterflies has dropped inside my stomach and they are flying everywhere."Hello? Is anyone there?" The call operator speaks through the receiver. I use any semblance of my wit to press the hang up button, my fingers are shaky as I keep my eyes locked on Tristan. What is he doing here?There's a black taxi on the kerb behind him, presumably the one that dropped him off. It does
I walk up to the door, a full gift bag in each of my hands. I drop my bag to get the key when Giles, the driver, walks up to me. "Let me get the bag, Miss." Giving him a polite smile, I let him hold the bag as I open the door. "Thank you," I say as I open the door and he puts the bags right inside the entrance."Have a nice Christmas, Miss Ryan." Giles, the driver smiles at me warmly before he starts walking off. "Thank you, same to you and your family. Merry Christmas!" I give him a fat grin and wave at him.Closing the door, my smile drops instantly and I clench my jaw at how irritated I am. It's Christmas Eve, the jolliest time of year. I've just come back from Amelia and Kieran's beautiful house in Hertfordshire where I had lunch with them and I am lightly tipsy from Kieran's egg nog coffee punch. Everything was so delicious. Caramelized onion tarts with apples. Brussel sprouts with chestnuts & sage. Chunky roast potatoes. Crisp honey mustard parsnips. Bacon, sausage & prun
It's the Christmas season! The days are short, nights are long, showers go longer. There are so many things I love about winter. I love making hot Belgian chocolate and those little marshmallows, I love snuggling up on the couch with a book in my thick robe and furry shoes, a doona draped over me. I love the food associated with winter: soups, casseroles, roasts. I'll be spending my first Christmas in London, and Amelia has invited Edmund and me over to their place for lunch Christmas Eve. I cannot wait to have my first proper winter Christmas. I just hope Edmund can make it. I'm sure that work will die down by then and I can have some quality time with him, the fun Edmund I haven't seen too much since I've been here. There's still been no progress on the assistant front, so I've been keeping busy by pursuing culinary perfection. With another two weeks to go until the day, I've been in the kitchen non-stop since I've arrived and I like to think my cooking skills have improved immense
I plop my head on the fluffy mattress, panting loudly as I let the post coital experience wash over me. Something is wrong with me. I just slept with my boyfriend for the first time, but I came thinking about my ex-fake husband. No, it was purely coincidental. It's just the half bottle of pinot gris swirling in my head, that's it surely. Instead, I'm going to bask in how nice that was.That was not bad, not bad at all. It wasn't fireworks but it was nice and efficient. He definitely knows a thing or two about pleasing a woman, that's for sure. He was very attentive, gentle, tender even. Just what I like - what I prefer. Unlike Tristan, who is all so aggressive. The way he grabs my hips so roughly, the way he pulls my hair, the way he bites my lip andgah! No more reminiscing! I'm so ashamed of myself, what's wrong with me? Noit's just a once-off. It won't happen again. I'm sure of it."How was that for you?" Edmund asks coolly as he looks down at me. His face is slick with a thin la
My feet tapping against the leg of the small mahogany table, I check my phone to see if there are any text messages. Nope, nothing. My guest should be on time, I'm just early. Looking around the café, I'm glad this place was picked. I'm sitting in the middle of The Purple Hare, a rustic and inviting mahogany infused restaurant in the middle of Chelsea. Packed to the brim with drunk and merry locals clad in wintry garb, the woody and earthy ambience mixed with the smell of Guinness, grilled steak and mashed potatoes makes the place feel like a second home almost. I am about to press the call button when the door flies open. "Hey!" Amelia waves excitedly at me but my mouth pops open at the sight of her in a long black parka jacket, jeans and boots. She said she had a surprise for me, but this was the last thing I expected.Standing up, I point at her stomach, which is a heck of a lot bigger than when I last saw it. "Oh my goodness, you are as full as a house!"A permanent grin
London baby, I have arrived! As Edmund and I sit in the back of the chauffeur driven car, my face is plastered to the window as I take in this new city that is now my home. There's so much to take in: it's incredible how one place can have so much vibrancy, multiculturalism, and a cosmopolitan edge all at once: the sky scraper buildings, glamourous clothes shops filling the high streets, the internationally renowned restaurants, the parks, the double deckers, the black cabs. And then there's the history: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, 10 Downing Street, the Tower Bridge, the Great Fire, Barbican Arts Gallery. This city is truly a perfect blending of the past and present. Just when I am keen on continuing the driving tour, the car pulls up and I turn to Edmund, my mouth having popped open at where we've stopped."Tell me you're joking. This is not your place." Edmund chuckles heartily. "Is that a good thing?"I turn back to press my fa
"Call us the second you get there, alright?" Mom repeats herself for the fifth time in two hours. I am standing outside my favourite Japanese restaurant on Bridge Street in Wynyard, saying my final goodbyes for the night. Gabe has gone home and it's just me and my family, who won't let me get into my car and drive back home. It's my farewell party with my loved ones, and I've spent the night laughing, getting sentimental and emotional with my parents, Hansley, Jackie, and Gabe. My flight is tomorrow morning, and because I would find it too difficult to say goodbye to any of them at the airport, I suggested dinner instead. Less invasive this way."I get there at six in the evening, it will be three in the morning for you. I'll just text you first," I insist and she scowls at me."Fine, but as soon as you get off the plane, alright? I don't care what time. I just need to know you are safe. I will be expecting a text at 3AM," she insists, her tone unyieldingly stern. I nod at her dogg
Pacing around the room, I play with my fingers as I wait nervously. Don't be afraid, just tell him. He'll understand, I know it. As I continue rehearsing what I need to say, my door knocks. Okay, he's here. Taking a deep inhalation, I shuffle to the door and open it to greet the person on the other side."Hi darl!" Gabe leans in to give me an air kiss, before holding up a cheese platter and packet of crackers in front of me. "Okay, gossip time. I think the occasion calls for cheese and crackers."He has no idea what I've got in store for him. I grin as I take the food from him. "I'll get the bottle of wine. But I'm making chicken fajitas, so keep your stomach free for them."Closing the door behind him, Gabe saunters in looking like his fabulous self in a navy crested jacket and white pants. I put the cheese and crackers on the dining table, before grabbing the silver glittery gift bag sitting on one of the chairs. "Here, just a little something for helping out. How was it bac