Cold Feet

Chapter 33

VIOLA

When life has a plan for you, it has a way of bringing you round to it’s plan sooner or later. That chance meeting that totally surprises or upsets you. That’s life’s way. We seldom see it or accept it for what it is but it sets the trajectory for our life that follows.

I have a meeting with Lara at her office. When I arrive she’s in a client meeting and I wait outside her office making small talk with her secretary.

When Lara opens her office door, I don’t see who her client is immediately. She’s looking back at her client as she talks to them and then she turns and sees me.

“V, sorry I’m running a bit late. I’ll be with you in a minute.”

I open my mouth to answer but then I see him. The first thought that runs through my mind is, Oh, Shit! Shit! Shit! No! WTF?” I can’t speak and simply nod as my eyes meet her client.

It’s him.

Rick.

He looks at me and seems about to say something. Lara is looking back at him and I quickly shake my head. He gets the message and says nothing. Lara realizes he is looking at me and introduces us.

“This is V, Viola. She runs our elopement services business I mentioned to you. V, this is Rick.”

“Um, hi,” I say as I hold out my hand. He takes my hand and shakes it firmly. “Pleased to meet you,” he says smiling.

“Likewise,” I add lamely.

“Okay, well call me when you’ve considered the options we’ve discussed and then we can move forward with bookings, and so on.”

“Great, thanks Lara,” Rick says. He throws me a quick glance and then greets us before leaving. I can feel his eyes on me as I enter Lara’s office. Despite my golden brown skin, I’m sure I must be glowing bright red.”

Lara doesn’t need to explain but she does. “He’s getting married to my best friend, Christine and he’s making all the arrangements. I think it’s so romantic. She’s said yes to marrying him but the whole wedding, even the date, is going to be a surprise.”

“Christine Jackson?” I ask.

Lara looks up quickly from her desk as if I’ve just dropped a bomb.

“Actually yes. Do you know her?” Lara asks.

in the industry

at me as if she’s trying to decide to believe me or not. Then she seems to brush aside her curiosity and sits down. “Anyway, how is our baby doing?” she asks referring to

stuck on Rick. He’s marrying Christine? WTF? How in God’s name did they

Lara ends and she greets me with a look of concern. “Go home

I will,”

almost get it on before he tells me how skewed his views of love, relationships and marriage are. Then, when

in my face. You like him. You want to see him. You want to be with him.

digging and scratching getting more and more frustrated as I near my door. I’m so busy looking

find things in a woman’s handbag. We all agree those things are magical with endless bottoms, but

here? I give up and straighten meeting his eyes. I hold up my handbag and he takes

normally dig in women’s handbags,” he

out my keys and holds

“Thanks.”

he follows me but I block

was

nothing to talk

Let’s

the door open as I turn away and drop my bag on the floor. I kick my

room’s in there. I’ll put the kettle on and be

I’m so happy to get rid of my formal clothes and feel like I can

asks when I enter

is temporary. Do you

shrugs and his face flushes red.

talk

the three seater opposite me. I pull my legs up

I’m getting

“I do.”

I got engaged. I thought it would be

not an

gave it some thought I asked myself the same question. I mean we’ve never actually dated so I couldn’t understand why I thought I

come,”

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