Cold Feet

Chapter 24

VIOLA

Amber is over the moon when she opens the door and sees me.

“OMG! I can’t believe it’s you! I’m so glad you found a job back here! I wish I’d made it out of that town years ago! Every day here is like a breath of fresh air!”

She steps back and lets me in.

There’s a handsome man standing in the entrance to the hallway. “This is Dane,” Amber says. “He is my boyfriend.”

I shake hands with Dane appraising him surreptitiously as I do so. He’s gorgeous. Tall, well built, handsome, a firm handshake. Some girls have all the luck, I think. I try to think back to when last I was with someone or got lucky. It’s been too long. It’s been so long that I decide to add ‘almost got lucky’ to the equation and I realize the last time was with Rick at the wedding that ended my business.

You must have cobwebs down there, girl, I think to myself. I know I can’t stay here long or I’ll be climbing the walls soon with a gorgeous man like Dane hanging around. I blush and feel guilty about the thoughts Dane has stirred in me.

You tart, I think. Get yourself together!

Amber leads me down the passage to the room she has prepared for me. It’s small but it’s perfect. I’ll start hunting for a place tomorrow after I have met Lara.

I drop my things in the room and return to Amber and Dane in the room. They tell me how they met.

“I met Dane on his last day at our company. He came for his exit interview with my boss and we got chatting. He asked me out and here we are. It’s like a miracle. Our company has a policy against dating fellow employees so it’s great that Dane is no longer working there.”

“What are you doing now?” I ask Dane.

moved into computing. I co-founded a business with some friends and we’re doing well. We’ve hit the ground running. Having this beautiful woman at my side

someone now that I’m back in LA. My thoughts drift to Rick but I push them aside.

happened between you other than him relieving

go down to the pool I decline to join them. I don’t want

next day I’m up early. Amber gives me a key to their apartment and I let myself out

if we’ve been friends for along time. It feels good to be welcomed so openly and

explains to me what it is she wants to

couples who want to elope. Not all couples who elope do so on the spur of the moment but some couples just decide it’s what they prefer and plan it in advance. So, we want to provide a service

“Okay. That should be simple enough.

smiles. “See, I knew there was a reason why I

I blush. “Thanks.”

a hand dismissively. “We need to build a network of limo suppliers, private jet providers, wedding locations, discreet but nice, jewelry suppliers, dress and suit suppliers, anything and everything that

“Easy enough,” I reply.

do you think it could take you to

days or less,” I

fast?”

that I’m underpromising

I like,” Lara smiles. It’s a genuine smile and I warm to her immediately. I believe we’ll get along just fine. With the business out of the way, I move on to

could get an advance on my salary. I need to pay a deposit for a

be happy to give you an advance. I’d like

“Sure,” I reply.

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