“HEY, VI, IT’S FINLEY!” AN excited American voice trills through the phone line as I sit at my desk at Nikon.
At the same time, Benji stumbles over with a tray of Starbucks and hands me my latte. He’s been a bit quiet and sheepish around me since his drunken evening. I wonder if he remembers kissing Hayden, but I can’t bring myself to ask. I lift my eyebrows and nod a silent thank you before he shuffles over to Hector next.
“Hiya, Finley. Nice to hear from you.” I close out the leather satchel design I’ve been messing with all week, grateful for a break. “How are you?”
“I’m great, thanks! I’m calling because we’ve decided to throw together a last minute bachelorette party for Leslie tomorrow night. Or hen party I guess is what you Brits call it, isn’t it? I’m really hoping that works for you because I know Leslie would love it if you came. She is so crazy stressed with wedding business. Theo thinks she needs a night out, so it feels like now or never.”
“Oh, sure, I totally understand. I’m sorry to hear Leslie is so stressed. Being a new mummy is a lot of work I’m sure.”
“Exactly. I’ve been trying to help her with the wedding stuff, but I’ve been travelling for work a lot, so ugh. It’s just been hard. And Leslie’s family is pretty much not in her life anymore, so we’re doing our best to fill those shoes and not let Leslie dwell on that too much. Frank has been popping over there a lot. Anyway, it’ll be fine. We’ll catch up and get everything done for the wedding one way or another.”
“Blimey,” I reply, stupidly unhelpful.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry. I just unloaded on you! We have four weeks. Plenty of time to plan a wedding,” she laughs maniacally.
Swallowing, I add, “Well, I’m free tomorrow. I’d love to go. Can you let me know what I can do to help? With the wedding or the hen do?” I ask, praying that whatever she might have me help with doesn’t involve coming face-to-face with Hayden again.
I close my eyes and wish away the annoying sting of rejection that’s been niggling at me. After all we shared—after all I know about him in such a short amount of time—he still only saw me as a distraction. Hearing him say that having a relationship with me could make him unhealthy again is a real kick in the teeth. Christ, do I have bad luck with men. Ever since the altercation with Gareth over Pierce cheating on me last year, I’ve been wondering what kind of bloke I’ll ever find who’s right for me.
If my fear of rejection was a slow simmer before, it’s at a proper boil now. Perhaps I need to stop seeking anything serious for a while and have a bit of fun for once. Not give anyone a chance to dump me. I never got to have my slutty university days that so many other girls my age experienced. I had brothers watching my every move. I am beginning to think a hen do is just what the doctor ordered.
“I’m so glad you can make it!” Finley says, pulling me away from my thoughts. “We have everything sorted for the hen party, so just show up and wear something fabulous and red. The party is starting at Frank’s around eight o’clock. I’ll text you the details. Just look red hot, all right?”
“Sounds great. I look forward to it!” I reply cheerily.
We say our goodbyes and, as soon as I hang up, a gift idea for Leslie comes to mind. It’s an unconventional gift for a hen do. Nothing like lingerie, but I think it will be perfect.