Wonderwall

by Soars, M. H.

  At that precise moment, Ryan arrives. Mellie’s eyes follow him as he strides to my desk. Even wearing simple, faded jeans, and a sweater he looks scrumptious.

  “Hi Liv, are you ready?”

  “Yeah, just give me a second.”

  “Hello there. I don’t think we’ve met.” Mellie stands up and walks toward him.

  “Oh, Mellie, this is Ryan. He works at the Ocean Grill. He’s also an intern.”

  They shake hands and then Mellie turns to me with a gleam in her eyes. She mouths to me “hot” and I had to fight the urge to giggle. She’s nuts.

  She turns to him again, “Say, Ryan. Are you free tomorrow night? I’m throwing a small dinner party and invited Liv. You’re more than welcome to join.”

  I freeze as my gaze darts between Ryan and Mellie. Say no, Ryan. Say no.

  “Yeah, I’m free. I would love to come.”

  I’m facepalming in my head. Disaster. Maybe he will change his mind when I tell him that Lloyd will be there, too.

  “Shall we?” I say.

  ☂ ☂ ☂

  Ryan doesn’t seem to care that Lloyd will be at the dinner party. I actually see a spark of excitement in his eyes when I tell him. So in the end, he does come, and we arrive together. It looks like he’s my date, and that’s exactly what Mellie’s friends think.

  Lloyd knows what’s going on. I cornered him earlier at the office and explained the whole thing. He didn’t seem to mind that Mellie assumes Ryan is my boyfriend. He was more focused on the fact that he would see Ryan. They haven’t hung out since the pub incident. Once again, I’m sucked into their love drama.

  Mellie and her boyfriend Simon share a two-bedroom apartment in Kensal Rise. Lloyd was quick to point out that it’s one of the coolest neighborhoods in London and that the likes of Daniel Craig, Lily Allen, and Sienna Miller live there. When I teasingly asked if Daniel Craig was Mellie’s neighbor, Lloyd gave me a droll look.

  Mellie answers the door and before we even cross the threshold, she hands us a glass of prosecco. A most exquisite smell hits my nose and my mouth begins to water. It’s an open floor apartment and I can see Simon in the kitchen from where I stand, cooking something obviously delicious by the aroma alone.

  I take in my surroundings. Mellie’s living room has rich, dark floors that contrast nicely with the white walls, and offer the perfect canvas for the colorful furniture in bright turquoise and hot pink. The couch is a conversation piece as the fabric depicts the British flag. The built-in shelving has a lime green back splash color and the chandelier is also hot pink, adding more pop to the living room. I love it. It’s so Mellie.

  She introduces us to the couple sitting on the couch. They are her neighbors, Marcia and Harold. Darn, no Daniel Craig. Marcia stares openly at Ryan and when he shakes her hand, she blushes like a little girl. Good Lord, is anyone immune to his charms?

  The doorbell rings again, and a second later, Lloyd bursts through the door, not waiting for Mellie to open it.

  “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he greets us all with an overly enthusiastic tone.

  Ryan’s entire demeanor changes, and now that I know about his feelings toward Lloyd, I can see the signs clearly. He likes Lloyd, a lot, more than he wants to admit to himself. I notice Lloyd has brought someone with him, a guy with curly brown hair and striking light green eyes. He’s shorter than Lloyd and stocky, but attractive in a rugged way. He holds no candle to Ryan, but it doesn’t really matter. Ryan is looking at Lloyd’s date like he wants to throttle him. Go, Lloyd.

  Lloyd eyes the prosecco glasses and takes two. He gives one to his date. “Here, honey.”

  His date glares at Lloyd and alarm bells sound in my head. What’s Lloyd up to?

  “Aren’t you going to introduce your friend?” Ryan says.

  “Oh, of course. Where are my manners? This is Maurice. We went to uni together.”

  Marcia and Harold say hello and I do the same. I don’t like when Maurice looks me up and down, like he’s checking me out. A thought of suspicion begins to nag at me. Before Lloyd can say anything else, I lace my arm with his and say, “Lloyd, I need to ask you something about our VIP project.”

  I drag him to a corner of the living room and whisper in his ear. “Want to explain what’s going on?”

  “I don’t follow.”

  “Bullshit. Is Maurice really your date?”

  Lloyd grumbles. “Fine. He’s not, okay? He’s one of my mates from school. He agreed to pretend to be my date so he could meet you.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes for a split second. “What did you promise him, Lloyd?”

  Lloyd sucks his lips in and guilt flashes in his eyes.

  “Did you say I would go out with him?” I continue.

  “Maybe.”

  “Lloyd, I’m gonna kill you,” I say through clenched teeth.

  “Hey, what are you two gossiping about?” Mellie approaches us.

  “Nothing. I was just asking Liv what she’s going to wear for Gretchen’s party,” Lloyd says.

  “Oh, Liv. Tell me you don’t have a dress. I want an excuse to buy a new one. We could go shopping together.”

  “Hey, if you’re going shopping, I’m coming too. I could use a new suit.”

  Simon appears out of nowhere and embraces Mellie from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Hey, no work talk during dinner. You promised.”

  Mellie melts into his arms, and I’m hit with a pang of jealousy. I want that in my life. A stupid voice in my head tells me I could have had it with Derek, but I stomp on it until it dies.

  “We’re not talking shop. We’re talking shopping,” Mellie says.

  “Even worse.” Simon glances my way. “Hi, you must be Liv.”

  “Nice to meet you, Simon. I’ve heard so much about you. Your food smells divine.”

  “I hope it tastes good, too,” he replies.

  Mellie rolls her eyes. “He’s being modest. Simon’s cooking is out of this world, you’ll see.”

  We make our way back to the living room where Marcia and Harold seem to be doing their best to entertain Ryan and Maurice. They’re sitting opposite each other, and by their body postures, ready for a duel.

  “Dinner is served,” Simon announces.

  Ryan sits next to me and opposite Lloyd, which means, Maurice is in front of me. He’s not even pretending he’s gay. Several times I catch him staring at my cleavage. If Ryan wasn’t so busy trying not to look at Lloyd, he would have noticed that Maurice is a fraud. There’s no way in hell I’m going out with him.

  I take a bite of the shrimp and almost have a foodgasm. I actually moan out loud. Mellie smirks at me. “What did I tell you?”

  “Oh my God. This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life and I’m not even a Thai food fan.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” Simon chuckles.

  The dinner goes smoothly, and an hour later, Marcia and Harold bid us goodbye. Simons yawns and I take that as my cue to leave as well. But Lloyd and Mellie have other ideas.

  “I’m not ready to go to bed yet. Let’s go the pub across the street,” Mellie says.

  “Sorry hon, I’m exhausted. I have an important meeting first thing in the morning.”

  Mellie pouts. “You’re no fun. But I love you just the same.” She leans in and places a soft kiss on Simon’s lips.

  I would much rather go home, but Ryan is game for the pub and so is Lloyd. I promise myself that I will stay for only an hour. If Ryan wants to stay after that, then he’s on his own.

  It’s past nine p.m., and the pub is mostly empty. We grab a round booth and somehow, I get sandwiched between Mellie and Maurice. Lloyd and Ryan sit respectively at the ends of the bench. We order a pitcher of beer and the conversation veers mostly toward work. I kind feel bad for Maurice, since he has no
clue to what we are talking about. That is until he puts his hand on my leg. I freeze for a second before I remove his offensive appendage from my thigh. I try to scooch closer to Mellie, but there isn’t much room.

  “So, Liv. How do you like London so far?” Maurice says, unfazed about what has just happened. How Lloyd is friends with him is beyond me. He’s a first class douche.

  “I love it.” I don’t make eye contact and take a sip of my drink.

  He leans closer and whispers in my ear. “Fuck, you’re hotter than I expected. I can’t wait to nail you.”

  I choke on my beer and all eyes on the table are on me. After I recover, I turn at Maurice. “Excuse me?”

  He pulls back from my personal space, and then glares at Lloyd. I do the same.

  “What’s the matter?” Mellie asks.

  “I gotta go.” My tone is urgent and leaves no room for arguments.

  Ryan and Mellie get up so I can do the same. I practically march out of the pub, but the cool evening air does little to simmer my irritation down. A minute later, Lloyd comes after me.

  “Liv, I’m sorry.”

  I whirl on him. “You should be. Your friend is an asshole. How could you set me up like that, Lloyd?”

  “I wasn’t thinking.”

  I cross my arms in front of my chest and clench my jaw. Lloyd is giving me the lost puppy look and it’s freaking working. My anger begins to dissipate. I know what’s like to be in love like that. Craziness is part of the deal.

  Ryan comes outside to check on me. “What just happened in there?”

  I throw my hands up in the air. “You know what? I’m sick of you guys dragging me in your messed up relationship. Ryan, stop giving people the impression that you’re into me. Lloyd, stop setting me up with your friends. And lastly, fucking kiss and make up already! The sexual tension at dinner was giving me hot flashes, and I’m way too young for that.”

  Ryan and Lloyd stare at me like I’ve lost my mind. And maybe I have.

  Chapter 29

  Olivia

  I ignore Lloyd the next day at the office. I’m back to being mad at him. Just thinking that Lloyd told his friend I would sleep with him makes my blood boil. Lloyd keeps sending me instant messages that I promptly close without reading. I’m glad that my don’t-mess-with-me body language is enough to ward off any attempt at actual conversation.

  Mellie is working off-site today, so I don’t have to answer her questions. I’m not sure I can be honest with her without revealing Lloyd and Ryan’s secret.

  When I get back from my lunch break, I find a box of chocolates on my desk with a simple note saying “Sorry” in Lloyd’s handwriting. He doesn’t come back to the office that afternoon, so I guess he’s also out running an errand for Saturday’s party. If Lloyd thinks a box of chocolates will be enough for me to forgive him, he’s probably right. Stupid boy and his shenanigans.

  At six p.m., I shut down my computer and make my way back to my room, carrying Lloyd’s chocolates with me. I’m not in the mood to hit the grocery store or eat out, so chocolates for dinner it will be. I begin searching for the key inside my giant hobo bag as I exit the elevator, and like always, I can’t find it. Every time this happens, I swear I’ll switch my stuff to a smaller bag, but I never do.

  I’m still pawing and moving shit around inside the giant black hole, looking for the damned key as I round the corner toward my room. The box of chocolates is under my arm now, hindering my movements. I’m not paying attention at all to where I’m going, but it’s not like I run the risk of bumping into someone. I finally find the little sucker and when I look up again, Sebastian is in front of me. I stop dead in my tracks. His hands are shoved inside his jeans pockets and he’s looking at me like there are a million things he wants to say.

  I’m speechless for a moment, getting lost inside his warm gaze. Just as easily he’s reeling me in and I hate how weak he makes me. I summon the irritation I felt all day and aim it at him.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Hi, Liv.”

  I narrow my eyes, before I stride toward my door. I’m down to my routine—insert, turn, hip bump, and the door unlocks. I ignore Sebastian and how close his body is to mine. His heady cologne is all I can smell. It gives me goose bumps and makes my heart pound away. I don’t look at him, even though I’m dying to. Stay strong, Liv. You can do it.

  “Is it a bad time?” Sebastian asks.

  I turn around with every intention of closing the door on his face, but he’s already inside.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I shuffle back, not trusting myself if we get too close again.

  “Paying you a visit.” He shrugs then looks around. “Boy, this room is a broom closet.”

  “How did you know where I lived?”

  He faces me with a mysterious grin on his lips. “I have my ways.”

  I drop my bag and the chocolates on my bed. “Listen, Sebastian. I’ve had a long day and I’m exhausted. I’m not really in the mood to…I don’t even know what this is.”

  “Have you eaten already?”

  “What?”

  “Food. Are you hungry?”

  “No.” My stomach decides to rumble just then, giving me away. Why does my body always betray me?

  Sebastian smiles. “Have dinner with me.”

  I stare at him, trying to figure out what kind of game he’s playing. “Is this a joke?”

  “I’m hungry, you’re hungry. What’s the big deal?”

  “What’s the big deal?” My voice rises to a shrill shout and Sebastian winces. “You have some nerve! I gave you the chance to explain why you acted like the biggest asshole on the face of the earth, but did you take it? Noooo. That’s fine, though. I was willing to forget everything you’ve done to me because I didn’t want to be one those girls who hold a grudge forever. But you’re seriously asking for it. Let’s start from the beginning, shall we? First, you abandoned me five years ago without so much as a goodbye.”

  Sebastian opens his mouth to interrupt me, but I continue. “I know the circumstances were awful, you were in a very dark place, but I didn’t deserve that. Second, you cut all ties you had with me, you never answered any of my emails, you never called. You could have been dead and I wouldn’t have known. And finally, let’s not forget the lie you told millions of people about a girl from high school that was cyber stalking you. That was really the cherry on top of the cake.”

  Sebastian stares at me with eyebrows raised and mouth open. After my spiel, I’m out of breath.

  “I guess it’s no to dinner then,” he finally says.

  “It’s a hell no.”

  He raises his hands. “Okay, okay. I’m leaving.”

  On the way out, he stops and turns to me again. “Before I forget, I don’t want you calling the authorities when you bump into me again at the hotel. I’m not stalking you. I’m staying at the Hollingsworth. Indefinitely.”

  Chapter 30

  Sebastian

  “Come on, guys. Let’s try this again. From the top; five, six, seven, eight.” Zawe, our choreographer commands, and our newest song, Feel this Night blasts through the speakers.

  I’ve gotten better at dancing, but do not expect me to perform any complicated routine while I sing. And this particular set of steps is making me dizzy already. I turn the wrong away for the thousandth time and smash into Anthony. The music stops and everyone in the room, besides Oliver, is glaring at me.

  “For fuck’s sake, Coleman. Stop messing this shit around. I don’t wanna be here the entire night,” Kyle says, and I flip him off.

  “Wanker,” he spits back.

  “All right, all right. Let’s try this tomorrow. We’re not going anywhere here. Sebastian, you’ll stay. I’ll run the routine with you again.”

  Fuuuck. I so do not want to be here right no
w. I grind my jaw and look at Zawe, knowing very well that my glare will not intimidate her. She’s the toughest lady in the business and can bust anyone’s balls, including mine. I should be thanking her that she’s willing to work later than usual to help me, but it’s not only my lack of coordination that’s the problem here. I can’t stop thinking about Liv. All I want to do is go back to the Hollingsworth and stalk her some more.

  After our trip to Arundel, clarity came over me. I want Liv back in my life, not only as a friend, but as everything she used to be. The fact that so far I’ve only accomplished to make her hate me more is driving me insane. She wants an explanation I cannot give her. If I tell her that I partially blamed her for what happened to my parents, I’ll lose her forever.

  Oliver slaps my shoulder. “Good luck, mate. Call me when you’re done. We’ll do something.”

  After everyone leaves the dance studio, Zawe pierces me with a knowing gaze. I don’t like how she’s scrutinizing me.

  “Are we doing this or what?” I say, letting the irritation seep into my tone.

  “Are you familiar with Einstein’s definition of insanity?”

  “Yeah…”

  “Well, do I look insane to you?”

  I clench my jaw, bracing myself for a chiding. I’ve seen Zawe going off on Kyle, Travis, and even Hans before. Not pretty.

  “I know everyone has problems, Sebastian. But to let them interfere with your professional life is disrespectful to your colleagues and unacceptable. You need to get your head straight.”

  I begin pacing as frustration runs freely through my veins. “Don’t you think I want that? But I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I can’t concentrate on anything else besides her.”

  “You mean Gretchen?”

  I turn to face Zawe. She has an eyebrow raised. She knows I’m not talking about my girlfriend. “No.”

  Before I can stop myself, I’m spilling my guts to Zawe. I tell her everything, not leaving any gruesome detail out. She doesn’t interrupt me once, and her facial expression doesn’t morph into a disgusted, or worse, pitying look.