Sweet Reflection (Truth)

by Henderson, Grace

  Chapter Five

  Laurel

  Monday morning arrives slowly. I’ve been thinking about James way too much but I’m relieved when it’s finally here and I can throw myself back into work. It’s the only thing in my life that is stable and fulfilling at the moment. It’s so busy and my once little store has now grown into a flourishing business, I just wish I could give it a lick of paint, but it’s not worth closing the store for and I don’t know if I could get it done myself in a weekend. When I finish my morning appointments I confirm lunch with Cassie and busy myself with some paperwork until it’s time to meet at the café next door.

  There’s no-one at our usual table at the back so we drop our things and go up and help ourselves to the salad that they always have out. It’s really busy and there’s a big queue but at least we get the chance to talk.

  “How’s it going at the florists?” I ask Cassie. Since her grandmother had a heart attack last year, she’s been doing a lot more to help her out, but she seems to love it.

  “It’s so busy, I think I’m going to have to take on an extra couple of people, especially now we’re getting closer to summer. There’s so many weddings booked in. The Bride you referred to us last week, Sally, she’s practically ordered the entire shop. Her wedding must be costing a fortune.”

  “Yep, she has eight Bridesmaids and she’s just confirmed a Vera Wang.”

  “Oh my gosh, eight? Crazy.”

  “Yeah it’s a bit of a nightmare when they all come in to try their dresses on together. She’s trying to let them all have a say but it’s just too many different styles to cater for, I’d tell them all to like it or lump it. They don’t have to be a Bridesmaid if they don’t like my choice.”

  “Ha, well you’re a lot more direct than most people. How’s Proposals?”

  “We’re the same. Busy, but I’ve not got enough space to grow any further now. I need to decide on what to do next. And the building could do with a bit of updating, I just wish I had the time and money.” She laughs as we’ve to the front of the queue and we start filling our plates.

  “Money definitely helps. Why don’t you apply to the bank?”

  I turn my nose up as I think about having to talk to Sam again. “Yeah I could do. I need to research it a bit more really. It might help to get a bigger property. ”

  “Well I’ll keep my ears open and let you know if I hear of anything. And I’ll ask Gran, she always knows what’s going on around here.”

  “How is Julia? I haven’t seen her around in a while.”

  “She’s recovered fine, but she’s a lot slower than she used to be. It doesn’t stop her from trying to work though. I think she just wants to still feel involved.” We squeeze our way back through the crowds to the table and order our drinks from the waitress.

  “So, shall I book you an appointment to try on some dresses? I can’t wait to see you in them. You’re going to look gorgeous.”

  Cassie face lights up and I’m so happy I can do this for her. Although I’m going to have to get an extra supply of tissues in for that day. “Oh I can’t wait.” She exclaims excitably. “Have you got a free slot Thursday? I can get a break from the store around three?”

  “Perfect. Jess will be in too so you’ll have my full attention.” We talk more about designs and then move on to the flowers. It’s been ages since Cassie and I have had this much ‘us’ time, and I realise I miss it. I miss her. I’m a lot closer to her than Emma and Jen, and I feel completely at ease with her that maybe I should open up to her about James. I’ve tried to a few times but I know they’ve grown closer and spend a lot of time together that I don’t want her to be put in an awkward position or to have to worry about letting something slip. In the end, I back out and decide to keep it to myself.

  I walk Cassie back round to the florists after lunch because it’s on the way to my car, “So, I’m going over to the site now to talk to Ryan about a few things I need doing at Proposals, do you want to come? Give that hot fiancé of yours a kiss?” I tease, but she looks so genuinely disappointed that I feel a bit guilty.

  “No I can’t, I’ve got a pretty big appointment I need to take care of then I have something to do at home. Actually, can you ask him to meet me there, around three? I know he’s really busy but I’ve got a surprise for him.”

  I start laughing at the glint in her eye, “You know he’ll drop everything he’s doing and race back to you.”

  “That’s what I’m counting on,” she winks and I give her a quick hug before heading over to the address Ryan gave me. It’s only down the road so I said I’d drop by. Hopefully, James won’t be there and I’ll be able to relax easily.

  I walk under the beam squeezing my eyes shut tightly when I realise I should really have a hard hat to be in here, just in case. As I’m silently cursing myself for not being more careful I look up and freeze in my tracks. My eyes rake over the building and I’m dizzy from the abrupt change in tempo, the scene unfolding before me is now in slow motion and boy, am I thankful for that. The British sun, which is usually covered by clouds the majority of the time, has decided on this fine day to make an abrupt appearance. Hallelujah. All I’m able to make out in my dazed state is the row of perfect glistening bare torsos that are on show just for me. I suppress a giggle that Cassie missed out on this. In the background of my mind I can hear the gravelly voice of Etta James bursting out about what she wants to do and all I’m missing is a diet coke in my hand. A deep husky laugh churns my stomach but I follow the voice to the other side of the barn. I let out an imperceptibly quiet moan at the longing that’s rippling through my body. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen him shirtless; last summer was a constant battle with cold showers, ice-cream and Scrabble to keep my mind off all the things I wanted to do to him. Did it work? Absolutely not. But I tried.

  I take a deep breath in and sigh it out as I absorb every glorious part of his anatomy. He bends down to pick up a hammer and my lip is captured in between my teeth before I can say ‘holy hotness.’ His tool belt wraps round his leans hips and his dark fitted jeans hang so low that my tongue darts out wishing it could lick every inch of the perfectly sculpted abs. His arms are lean and defined but toned and strong, his chest is glistening with sweat as he reaches up to hammer at a beam above him. The grin on his face gets wider as he talks to Blake whose standing against the wall next to him with his arms folded. Together they’re a killer duo, both their bodies are pretty much male perfection. I’m blatantly staring at him but he’s so engrossed in working and chatting that he hasn’t noticed me yet. I’m snapped out of my trance by a whistle that sounds from behind James and it catches his attention too.

  “Oi J, you should start charging.” One of the other workers nods over to me and I want the world to swallow me up. Shit. I quickly start walking forward as though I’ve just arrived and act as cool and calm as I can muster.

  “Didn’t know this was in your job description, Dawson,” I shout across the site trying to shrug off the embarrassment of being caught ogling him like a creeper. He looks over with a scowl but it softens when he sees me and the corner of his lips pull up in a smile; it may just be my imagination but he looks pleased that it was me watching him.

  “It’s not babe, but I’m always willing to get my hands dirty.” He winks; my heart beats too fast, I feel like it’s either going to crash out my chest or fail suddenly. Why does he have such an effect on me? No other man has given me these butterflies or got my pulse racing as much as he does. In comparison to this, Darren feels like a schoolgirl crush. But at the time, he had definitely crushed me. Maybe he didn’t mean as much to me as I thought.

  Blake follows James walking over to me, and picks me up in a bear hug, lifting me off the ground and twirling me round. He reaches down and kisses me on the cheek dramatically, “Hey gorgeous.” He smiles and the dimples come out.

  “Always the charmer Mr Richards.”

  “Of course Miss Matthews, the future Mrs Richards wouldn’t have
it any other way.” He says playfully.

  I laugh and nod in agreement, “That’s true. I’ve just left her at the florists, she gave me a message for you but I don’t think you’d want the whole world to hear.” I gesture to all the guys that have gradually closed in on us and are working at half-speed, pretending not to listen. He grabs my arm and pulls me through the non-existent doorway of the next room, leaning his ear down close as I relay the message she gave me. I pull away and bite the inside of my cheek as his eyes widen at my words. The sparkle in them would be enough to make me melt if he wasn’t my best friend’s fiancé. He stares at me, his lips pursed as he considers what to do next and in an instant he’s stalking back to James and I have to put a hop in my step to keep up with him.

  “Mate, gotta go.” He starts to pack up some tools and stretches his t-shirt up over his head, pulling it down to cover his abs.

  James looks to me accusingly, “What the hell did you just say to him?” He frowns and looks between us again then narrows his gaze on Blake. “Thought we were gonna have this bedroom finished today? I need the guys to start painting it soon or we’ll get behind schedule.”

  “Just put Dean and Ryan on it now. They’ll be fine.”

  James shakes his head and voices his protests again, “Mate, seriously you can’t just leave. There’s too much to do.”

  Blake smirks, “I’ll be here early tomorrow. But right now my bride-to-be needs me. You know how it is. Gotta keep my woman happy.” He wiggles his eyebrows and James stutters but it’s too late. Blake is out the door with one last wink in my direction before he can get the words out.

  “Idiot.” James mumbles to no-one in particular and slumps back against the wall. He looks over at me whilst I struggle to keep the smile from my face.

  “You women are all the same; nothing but trouble.”

  James

  She’s got the biggest smirk on her face I’ve ever seen. It makes me want to grab her head and kiss it right off her. But I’ve become accustomed to putting my feelings aside and acting like a jackass.

  "Did you have a reason for coming here, or did you just want to ruin my day?" I ask pointedly, raising my hands and my voice to match. I know I'm overreacting but I never did have a good hold on my emotions and this girl is making it worse.

  She starts walking towards me slowly. Her gaze is on me, her eyes holding mine. I take a deep breath in and let it out harshly as she gets closer. I'm waiting for her to yell at me, I know I deserve it, but she's wearing her poker face and it makes me uncomfortable. I swallow hard as she stops abruptly right in front of me and tilts her chin up sharply, confronting me.

  She hardens her voice, "I had a very good reason for coming here." Her eyes are still looking at me searching for something. After a few seconds she closes them, and her body stiffens. "And it didn't involve you."

  I'm shocked at her attitude even though I'm not. It's always been harsh words between us. Sure, we've argued back and forth and at times I get so pissed off I want to throw something. But this, this is different. There's no underlying sexual tension. There's no hunger in her eyes. It feels like she really hates me.

  I don't know what to say, but before I can think of anything she's walked straight past me and is on the other side of the barn. Ryan turns as he hears her approach and grins, leaning down to kiss her cheek. I recognise the look in his eyes as they sweep over her body and the tight little skirt she's wearing because it’s the same as mine. If I could get away with it I'd warn him away from her but he's on Blake’s team and I have no claim to her anyway, as much as it makes me want to put my fist through the wall.

  "Darling, how is the bedroom coming along?" Alex startles me. I tear my eyes away from Laurel and turn to face Alex. I first notice her outfit. She's wearing a short black skirt that shows off her long legs and a skimpy little strapless top that's showing way too much skin. It's not like her to dress like that and when I lift my eyes I notice she's twirling her hair round her finger. She's acting like she's a sixteen year old with a crush not a grown woman with a business empire.

  "Good. Bedroom will be done tonight. Just got to paint. But the guys are working on that now."

  She raises an eyebrow and looks past me towards the back where Laurel and Ryan are still laughing with each other.

  "Doesn't seem like they're doing much work to me. She's distracting your men James, and you're allowing it." She pulls back to look at me, and I stifle a chuckle because if Ryan was actually one of my men I'd probably have fired him eight months ago when he kissed my girl. I shake my head, she isn't my girl I tell myself again for the millionth time, it's not going to happen.

  "Well, I can't wait to see my new bedroom and give it a test drive." She winks and leans in forward, "Maybe you can ride with me," she whispers in my ear and grazes her hand against my arm as she walks away.

  She's another one that pushes my buttons. I don't know what it is with the women in my life but it's like they get under my skin. Make me feel, and Alex doesn't make me feel anything good at all. A long shudder racks my body as I think about what we did and what I'm trying to keep from happening again. As I turn back round to see what Laurel's doing I realise she's been watching us. I don’t think she can see us properly because I’m in the way, but she’s still frowning. Ryan's leant back against the wall with a cocky grin on his face, and as I watch how close they're standing, I remember Alex's words about how I'm allowing it to happen. He may not be a member of my team but with Blake gone, I'm solely in charge of the project so it’s stopping immediately. She has to go. I stride over to them and grab Laurel's arm.

  "It's time to go." My voice is hard, harsh, but I don't care. I just need her to get away from him.

  She looks at my hand that's wrapped round her upper arm and then up at me.

  "Excuse me?" She grits out through her closed teeth, but two can play at that game and I lean in to her ear, “I said, it's time to go." She shakes her arm out of my grip and brings her hands to her hip. "I heard what you said, but I was wondering why you were being such a jerk?"

  "Hey J, calm down, we were just chatting." The motherfucker clearly has a death wish and my anger rises.

  "This has nothing to do with you Ryan. Get back to work." He straightens up away from the wall and I know he's pissed off. I don’t ever speak to staff with that much attitude, especially grown men, but I match his posture in case he wants to start something. I'm definitely not in the mood for any peacock displays.

  Laurel steps in between us and grabs his hand, "Just ignore him. It's okay. I should get back anyway. I'll see you tomorrow night." He nods tightly and squeezes her hand before she starts to walk away. I tell Ryan briefly what he needs to finish before he goes home tonight and catch up with Laurel just as she's about to get in her car outside.

  "What now? I left, didn't I?" She swings round to glare at me.

  "What are you doing with Ryan tomorrow night?" It's none of my business but I can't stop myself from blurting the words out. Real smooth.

  She frowns at me whilst she considers my words and whether she wants or should tell me.

  "What's it got to do with you?" She challenges. Really, it has nothing to do with me but I have to know whether she's seeing him or not.

  "I'm just looking out for you that's all."

  She laughs but it's an indignant, sneering laugh that doesn't look good on her.

  "I don't need you protecting me James. Ryan is a nice guy. He likes me, he talks to me like I'm a human being. He treats me well, like friends should. And he's offered to take care of some odd-jobs for me at Proposals."

  She tilts her head to the side and deals her last blow, "If I need protecting from anyone, it's you."

  I want to ask her what she means by that, but her long blonde hair flies out to the side as she turns her back to me and when I blink again, she's gone. Shit, I’ve fucked up again. It always seems to happen when we’re together. It doesn’t feel like we can have a simple conversation without it turning sour
. And I know that was completely my fault. I have a lot of making up to do.

  Chapter Six

  Laurel

  I love the sound of happiness and laughter ringing throughout the store. I feel proud that I can help women with such an important part of their day, and they’ll leave feeling beautiful and sexy and confident. And when I can help someone that means so much to me, it gives me a warm, tingly feeling all over.

  The girls are all sat on the sofa, and Julia’s in the armchair across from them. I know Cassie’s having a hard time without her mum here, but her Gran is doing an excellent job of keeping her spirits up and my mum has come along for some moral support. They get along great and seeing them together is special to me.

  I’ve cracked open some champagne and everyone has a glass to get them in the mood. “So, I have listened to your directive and pulled a few styles myself for you to have a look at, but don’t be worried you’ll hurt my feelings, try anything you want on.”

  “There’s so many Laur, they all look the same. Show me the ones you picked because I haven’t got a clue. But I don’t want anything too fancy.”

  “I thought you might say that so I’ve not gone over the top. Somehow I don’t see you in a “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’ style dress.”

  Her grimace makes us all howl with laughter, “God could you imagine? Me, in a big, pink, fluffy, tulle, lace, bow, ribbon, feather concoction. It would be hideous, I don’t know how they do it.”

  I carefully pick up all the dresses and take them into the fitting room. There’s a couple she won’t even give the time of day to, but two styles have her nearly crying at how much she loves them.

  After I help her into one dress, she pushes the curtains to the side and steps out into the showroom where everyone’s chatting. Her presence silences them all as they turn to look at her. The one she has on is a Jenny Packham; fitted diamond encrusted bodice, which floats down her hips giving way to a slim sheath skirt. It’s a perfect combination of vintage and understated with a hint of sexy because it clings to her curves.