“I’ll wait out here in the car.”
“I’m here until four.” I screw up my face. “I’m not having you sit out here in the car for six hours waiting for me, because…well, it’s just plain weird.”
“Tru, my job is to take care of you. And believe me, sitting outside a spa for six hours is nothing compared to other things I’ve done.”
A thought flashes through my mind. I wonder if he’s referring to what he’s done for Jake in the past. Or what he’s waited for Jake to do. Things I most definitely do not want to know.
“Leaving you alone is more than my job’s worth—so it’s either I wait out here, or I come inside with you and wait in the waiting area or, worse, the treatment room.”
I frown at him. “Fine,” I huff, sliding along the leather seat, “sit out here if you must.” Pausing, with my legs dangling out of the car, I ask, “Do you want me to send some food out for you?”
“No, I’m set.” He indicates a thermos on the passenger seat. “If you need me at all, you make sure to call me straightaway,” he says just before I shut the door.
“Yes, boss,” I mutter.
I swear I hear him laughing just as the door closes.
I watch him pull the car into a spot facing the entrance. I link arms with Simone, and we walk toward the doors.
“You weren’t kidding when you said he literally goes everywhere with you.”
“Nope,” I sigh.
“Jake’s doing?”
“Oh, absolutely,” I mutter as the doorman lets us in.
I’m in heaven.
Spa heaven.
I’m having a facial, and it may be the best facial I have ever had.
We’re into the afternoon. So far I’ve had a massage, a pedicure, and lunch. After my facial is done, I’m having a manicure.
Simone is on the bed beside me, having a facial too.
“So the book launch is next week?” Simone asks.
“Yep.”
“Wish I could be there.”
“I wish you could be too.”
I finished up Jake’s biography two months ago, and it’s been with the editor. Then back to me. Then back to the editor.
This went on for a while, until we both settled on the final draft.
The excerpts have already started publishing in Etiquette. Vicky said they have seen a 10 percent increase in sales already, which is amazing.
“Is Vicky coming over for the launch?”
“She is.” I smile.
The launch is in New York as that’s where the publishing house is, so Jake and I are flying over for it. Vicky is meeting us there, and afterward she’s coming back to LA to spend a few days with me.
I can’t wait.
I haven’t seen her since I left London. Of course I’ve seen her via Skype, but it’s not the same.
We have lots of shopping planned for when she’s here.
“You really need to get your butt over to London,” Simone says. “It’s been way too long since you’ve been home.”
“I know.” I let out a sigh. “I miss it.”
“And London misses you. Maybe you and Jake could come over for a holiday after the baby is born.”
“You know what,” I say, feeling uplifted at the thought. “We totally should. I could have my hen night in London. Most of my friends I want at my hen are there, and I’m sure Carly and Stuart would come over for it.”
Jake and I have set the wedding for December. It won’t be the summer wedding we were originally wanting, but neither of us wants to wait until next summer. More than anything I want to be Jake’s wife. December gives me just enough time to lose my baby weight.
“Speaking of London,” Simone says, her voice sounding tighter, “I saw Will last week.”
My heart pauses.
I turn my face to her and out of the therapist’s hands. “You did?” My voice wobbles, giving me away.
I haven’t thought of Will in a long time. I don’t let myself.
Because if I do, I remember how much I hurt him and how things were left the last time I saw him.
“Hmm.” She nods, eyeing me carefully.
I compose my features to neutral. “Why are you just telling me now?”
“Because this is the first chance I’ve had. There’s always someone around.”
Jake.
“How’s he doing? Did he, um, ask about me?” I might have my face under control, but my mouth is set to give me away.
“Do you really want me to answer that?”
I pause.
Do I?
“Yes.”
“No. He never mentioned you. But then, he wouldn’t have, because, he, um…well, he wasn’t alone when I saw him, Tru.”
“Oh.” Pause. “He’s seeing someone?” Of course he is. Will is a really attractive guy. He’s smart and caring. A real catch.
“Yes.”
Is it wrong that I feel a spike of jealousy?
I look up at the ceiling. Gritting my back teeth, I force a smile. “Well, that’s great news. I’m really pleased for him.”
“No you’re not. But I know what you mean. Happy he’s happy. But it still stings, even though you feel you have no right for it to.”
I love how Simone just gets me. God, I miss not seeing her every day. I’m going to hate it when she’s gone in a few days.
I turn back to her. “I’d say that just about covers it.” Biting my lip, I ask my next question. “Is she anyone we know?”
“No.” She smiles gently.
That clarification makes me feel better. If it were someone I knew, I would have felt weird. Okay, weirder.