Effortless

10:49pm I miss you

11:02pm The plane is fueled and ready. Fly here now

11:03pm Wish I could

11:07pm You can. I’ll handle Archer

11:10pm Next time, Holden. You’re busy with work anyway. I’d be bored

11:11pm Not if I can help it

11:14pm Now you’re just teasing me

11:16pm Are you in bed?

11:18pm Yep

11:21pm Dream of me x

Curling up on the mattress, I hugged his pillow tight and smiled.

CHAPTER FIVE (#udc4d14b7-1f7c-5487-954c-55962bec609a)

“Why didn’t you call me as soon as it happened?” Stephanie shrieked, staring at my hand. The handful of people standing to our left on the sidewalk gave her a dirty look. She didn’t care one bit and carried on. “Jesus Christ, it’s Friday. You’ve known all week and didn’t say anything. I mean, what’s the point of being your official-best-friend-unofficial-big-sister if you don’t tell me the important things?”

Shivering, she pulled the jacket around her body tighter and shook her head. Her jet black hair had grown even longer, nipping at her shoulders like a swath of sultry, dark silk.

I gazed at the diamond, not bothered by her dramatics. “I’m telling you now. Before telling my actual flesh and blood sister and before telling my parents.”

“But you told Darren?”

“Hey, I called to see if you were free for lunch and you sent him in your place. Don’t blame me.”

She started to say something then stopped, knowing full well I was right. I smirked.

“Darren is so dead,” she muttered. “Did you set a date?”

“No.”

She flailed her arms. “Why not? We need to start planning this wedding immediately.”

I didn’t have the heart to quell her excitement…yet. She rummaged through her purse while spouting off all sorts of suggestions for a venue, a dress, a DJ, honeymoon destinations and photographers. When she ventured into the realm of having two weddings in two countries I had to put a stop to the insanity.

“I have an idea,” I interrupted her, putting my hands up. “How about Alastair and I enjoy being engaged for awhile before I scare the crap out of him with your cyclone of ideas and suggestions?”

“You’ve been engaged since July. How much longer do you need to enjoy it?”

“Steph.” I gave her a stern look.

“Fine.” She folded her arms. “But I’m throwing you an engagement party and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.” Her eyes widened. “Your birthday is next week. Two parties!”

“Oh my God,” I snorted. “You’re out of control.”

She threw her head back in an exaggerated sigh and followed me toward the cafe to grab some coffee. Before I reached the door half a dozen guys holding cameras jumped up from one of the small tables out front and blocked my path. They all started snapping photos and talking at once.

“Let’s see the ring,” one shouted.

“When’s the wedding?”

“Are you pregnant?” another one yelled in my face.

Frozen with shock, I stared at them.

“Hey, leave her alone douche nozzle.” I heard Stephanie’s voice from behind me, then felt her grab my arm and yank me into the cafe. “Don’t those ass hats have any concept of personal space?”

Some of the people inside the cafe pointed and mumbled God knows what to each other. I shoved my left hand into my coat pocket. So this is how it starts.

A hard knock on the window startled me, rattling my now frayed nerves. I turned and saw yet another photographer snap pictures through the glass. When he finished, he smiled and walked off. Every eye in the cafe was now on me.

“Show’s over people,” Stephanie said, glaring at some woman in a brown pantsuit. “Don’t you all have jobs to get to or something?”

I heard a few people mutter and was relieved to see them all returning to their morning routines.

Stephanie, the gem that she was in situations like this, diverted my attention from the paparazzi by filling me in on her job. Not only had her campaign designs for Pulse been a huge hit, she’d also been tapped to design the ads for a new perfume and a new clothing boutique. She practically glowed telling me all about it.

“Cassie told me if I keep going at this pace I’ll have her job in six months.”

I laughed. “Try to remember us little people when you’re skyrocketing to the top.”

“Stop it. What about you? How’s everything at the show?”

“So far, so good. Julian’s a trip.” I tapped my nails on the counter. “I think he’s paranoid though. He seems to believe Sam and Robbie are out to replace him with some guy from London. I can’t see why he would think that. Sam is very focused on improving the show and Robbie is one of the most talented producers I’ve come across.”

“Paranoia runs deep with those on-air people. You know how I feel about their constant neediness and always having to be reassured that they’re the best and nobody else compares and blah, blah, blah. I’ve said it before. You’re a saint to put up with that crap day in and day out. I’m surprised you don’t keep a bottle of wine at your desk just in case.”

“Maybe I should.”

“So, do you think you’ll stay there once your contract is up? I mean, you were pretty adamant about only wanting it to be for three months but that seems a little weird to me. You can’t not work. You’ll go insane from the boredom.” She paid for the coffee and we walked back out onto the sidewalk.

I did a quick scan of my surroundings to make sure no other photographers jumped out at me. A few people still stared a little too long.

“I don’t know. I like doing the whole television thing but I’m starting to get burned out, you know? I never thought I’d be doing this for as long as I have.”

“Six years isn’t that long.”

“Oh no? Working in TV news can be soul sucking, trust me.”

“What else do you want to do?”