There’s that music again. The familiar sound of Noel Gallagher’s Sunday Morning Call penetrates my ear drums. I love that track. I frown, reaching for my phone and see Jesse’s name flashing on the screen. I smile as I connect the call.
‘How did you do that?’ My voice is husky from sleep.
‘Do what?’ he asks. I can’t see him, but I know he’s grinning that cocky, sexy grin.
‘You rigged my phone.’ I accuse.
‘Where are you?’
‘In bed.’ Recovering from you!
‘Naked?’ he asks – all low and husky.
Oh no! I’m not getting into sleazy phone sex. I know where this is going. His voice does things to me. ‘No, I’m not.’
‘I could remedy that.’
I shudder at the thought. How can he spark such reactions by being on the end of the phone? ‘How’s your new apartment?’ I need to change the direction of conversation quickly.
‘Full of Italian shit.’
‘Funny. Where are you?’
He sighs. ‘At The Manor, you said you would call.’ He sounds slighted.
Yes, I did say I would call, but it’s only been twenty four hours – ish, and I’m majorly uncomfortable with the fact that I really, really wanted to call him.
‘I got carried away sorting my room out.’ I did. And it’s a good job done. I’m ignoring the fact that I purposely kept myself busy.
‘What are you doing today? I want to see you.’
What? Just like that? Christ, hasn’t he had enough of me? Obviously not, but is this a good Idea? Damn, I want to see him. I’m much too young for him. And I wouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him. With his looks, confidence and talent in the pleasure department, he’s a sure fire way to a broken heart. I need a reliable, trustworthy man – a man who’ll look after me and walk on hot coals for me. I silently laugh. My expectations are ridiculously high, but given my last two relationships, I’m sticking to the plan. If Jesse wants to see me, it should be on my terms. I can’t be seen to be desperate.
‘No can do,’ I say dismissively. ‘I’m super busy.’ Doing sweet fuck all! Damn, I want to see him.
‘Busy doing what?’ He’s shocked. Why wouldn’t I be busy? I have a life.
‘All sorts.’
‘Are you fiddling with your hair, by any chance?’ His voice is full of humour.
I pause, mid-twiddle. How has he cottoned on to that? ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’ I inform him. Will I? I’m just about to hang up when I hear that cold, unfriendly voice I hate so much. What the bloody hell is she doing there? I’m uncomfortable with how uncomfortable that makes me feel. Why should I care?
‘Ava, wait a minute.’ He must cover his phone because the voices become muffled, but it’s definitely her. I bristle all over, which is crazy stupid. ‘Sarah, just give me a second, will you?’ He sounds slightly pissed. ‘Ava, are you there?’
I should just hang up. ‘Yeah,’ Damn me!
‘You’ll call tomorrow.’ he says. It‘s a statement, not a question.
‘I will.’ I hang up quickly. That was not how I wanted to end the conversation. He pretty much told me to call, and I agreed. That is not being on the front foot.
I huff my way out of bed and take myself to the shower. What am I going to do all day, anyway? Kate’s not home and the house is spick and span, as usual. I need something to divert my unreasonable, jealous frame of mind.
Chapter 14
‘Fucking hell!’ Kate’s stood in my bedroom doorway, open mouthed and wide eyed. ‘What happened?’
I tuck my black shirt into my capri pants and marvel at how easily I locate my black, suede heels and gold belt. I really am very organised this morning.
‘How’s your Gran?’ I ask, feeding my belt through the loops of my trousers.
‘Still senile. What did you get up to while I was gone?’ She starts plumping a pillow on my bed.
I gesture around the room, with a what-do-you-think look, leaving out the fact that Matt called and I agreed to meet him. Oh, I’ll also omit the Jesse call that resulted in me sulking for the best part of yesterday. How ridiculous!