Chapter 9
Amber nearly choked on her tea. Coughing, she placed her cup back on the saucer.
“Mia! What are you talking about? That’s nonsense.”
Mia sat back in her chair, grinning. Shaking her head, she laughed at Amber’s obvious discomfort and patted her hand lightly. “Don’t worry, Amber, your secret is safe with me.” She winked and resumed drinking her coffee.
Amber was stunned. How on earth did she look like a woman in love? Surely she looked like a woman in misery. Mia must be messing with her. She decided to change the subject.
“So. Gino, huh?”
Mia’s smile faded and eyes clouded over. “Yes, Gino.” She sighed. I’m surprised he came last night. I didn’t think he would.”
“Did you get a chance to talk to him? Didn’t he say he wanted some time with you?”
Mia gently bit her lower lip while she stared into her coffee. Then she looked up, still frowning. “No, we didn’t get a chance to talk. It was so busy, I was pulled in every direction, that I just didn’t get a moment. And then when I thought it was quietening down, I looked for him but he was gone.”
“Like as in back to London?”
Mia shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I have no idea — I’m not sure if he is here for a few days or if he just literally came for the party and is on his way back to London.”
“Oh hon, how frustrating. When are you back in London? Perhaps you will have a chance to catch up with him next week or something?”
“Si, I guess. I’m staying here for a few more days to discuss my new samples.” She flashed Amber a dazzling smile. “Thanks to you modelling my latest design, I already have a stack of pre-orders.”
“That’s great, Mia! But you’re dresses are beautiful so I’m truly not surprised. I’m sure this collection will be a huge hit.”
The girls chatted for a little while longer and Amber was grateful that Mia tacttfully did not bring Nico back into the conversation. Just thinking about him and the things they did together last night, had her stomach tingling and caused a deep heat to spread through her. Shaking her errant thoughts, she forced herself to concentrate on what Mia was saying.
After a drawn out goodbye, Amber and Mia both knew that in each other, they had inherited a friend for life. They made plans to catch up in London as soon as Mia was back and Amber couldn’t wait to introduce her to her friends.
Following her goodbye with Annalisa and Gianmarco She went back to her room to gather her things. She smiled as she thought of them, extracting a promise from her to return as soon as possible. Guilt flooded through Amber at deceiving this wonderful couple, but she simply bit her lip and nodded. Unexpected tears pricked her eyes as Annalisa warmly embraced her. She’d missed out on a mother for so many years and besides Sally, Beth’s mother, Annalisa was the only other mother figure who had accepted her so readily.
She quietly closed her room door and was just about to turn around when she felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. She breathed in his expensive cologne, which carried through the slight breeze. Her felt her breathing grow shallow. Plastering a smile, she turned around to face him.
Once again her breath was caught in her throat at the sight of him, but his brown aviators concealed his eyes.
“Nico,” she breathed, her voice sounding husky even to herself. “I was just getting ready to leave.”
“Stay.” His smooth voice was a command.
“What?” She laughed nervously. “Don’t be silly, I have to get back home.”
“I don’t want you to go. Stay.”
Amber felt her throat tighten up. This was exactly what she was afraid of. She could and would not get involved as much as her heart was telling her otherwise. He pulled off his sunglasses and his molten stare burned through her, waiting for her response. Then and there she made up her mind. Taking a deep breath, she looked over his shoulder at the trees, unable to look him in the eye for fear he would see the truth.
“Nico. I’m sorry. Last night was wonderful, but that’s all it was. Nothing more.” She flicked her eyes back to his and noticed the momentary shock on his face before he quickly recovered. Before he could say anything, she took his warm hand, opened it and placed a folded cheque in the centre.
“What’s this?” She flinched at his cold and hardened tone.
“It’s a cheque for the money you deposited in my account. I couldn’t reverse it.”
He sighed. “Why?”
She felt her heart break as she saw the hurt displayed across his features even though he tried his best to keep his face impassive. Her voice broke. “Nico….after last night, it’s not right I keep your money. I had a wonderful weekend. Thank you.”
“So that’s it, Amber? We fuck and that’s it?” She flinched at his anger. Shaking her head, she went to move past him.
“I never said I’d give anything more, Nico. I’m sorry. Now, I must go or I’ll miss my flight.” She slipped on her sunglasses, biting her lip as her eyes filled with tears.
He didn’t say a word. Reaching down, he took her bag out of her hand and she silently followed him as they made their way to the waiting car.
When he next spoke, his tone was cool and efficient. “I’m not back for at least another week to ten days. I’ll make sure the agency gives you the spare keys to my flat so you can continue your work. Feel free to stay over if it gets late.”
She nodded in understanding as she faced him. Her heart ached as she resisted the urge to reach out and kiss him, to savour being in his arms again. She desperately wanted to trust him. However, she was a realist and knew that scenario only belonged in fairy-tales. Or for other people, like Beth. Her ending would be heartache. She tried her best to harden her heart as she slipped into the back of the car. Giving him a weak smile, the car pulled away as Nico stood there watching her go. As soon as she was out of sight, the tears that were threatening earlier now openly spilled down her cheeks.
Later that evening, Amber was back home in her flat, feeling completely miserable. As if on cue, her phone started ringing. She smiled when she looked at the caller display.
“Hi Beth!”
“Ambs, you’re back! How was it?”
Hearing her warm voice on the other end made Amber choke up. Tears filled her eyes. “It was…perfect.”
“Oh honey, what’s wrong? In fact, hold on a sec.”
Amber dried her eyes as she waited a couple of minutes until Beth was back on the line.
“Sorry, just had to check something with Theo. Look, I’m on my way. I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“Oh Beth, please, you don’t have to do that. Honestly, I’m okay…” Truth was, she needed her best friend more than anything.
“Nonsense! Get the wine ready. See you soon.”
Amber smiled as she hung up the call. She could always rely on Beth — their whole lives they had each other’s back, always there for each other.
True to her word, within a half hour, Beth had arrived at her door. Amber hugged her friend fiercely, not realising how much she needed her until now. She pulled apart and took in Beth’s appearance. Her long blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun and her make-up was very light, giving her the appearance of someone much younger than she was. Wearing yoga pants and a tight black top, she looked effortlessly stunning as usual.
Amber grabbed the bottle of white wine she had in the fridge, along with two glasses and they sat on the sofa, facing each other. Amber pulled her long legs up and tucked them under her, taking a sip from her glass.
“Okay, that’s enough. Put the glass down and spill.”
“God, you’re so bossy lately.” Amber grinned, placing her glass down.
A blush crept across Beth’s face and she chewed her lip thoughtfully. “Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry, hon, I think it’s the Theo effect.” She laughed as Amber raised her eyebrow in question. Beth shrugged and waved her hand. “I have to be quite strong around him as he treats me like cotton wool. I keep telling him I’m a big girl.” She looked exasperated, but Amber knew just how in love they were with each other. Theo was extremely protective of her. “Enough about me.” She took Amber’s hand. “Tell me what happened, Ambs. I’ve never heard or seen you so upset – especially over a guy.”
Amber told her everything. From their night together just over couple of weeks back to everything that happened over the weekend. Beth listened carefully, without interrupting her. When Amber finished speaking, she considered her carefully.
“Amber, do you think you may have properly fallen for him? Because I think you have, hon. I see love written all over your face when you speak of Nico.” She smiled softly at Amber, sensitive to the fact that this wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
“Why does everyone keep saying that? First, Mia, then you…?” She trailed off, throwing her arms up into the air as she reached for her glass.
“Amber, listen to me okay? I’ve known you practically all our lives, right?”
Amber nodded in agreement as Beth continued.
“Sweetie, I know you had a shitty life growing up with your dad and the numerous affairs your mum put up with.” Beth’s eyes filled with tears at the memories of a young Amber too scared to stay at home and witness the constant fights between her parents. “But, have you ever thought that maybe you’ve somehow closed yourself off to love?”
Amber sniffed as her eyes welled up. “I won’t be a doormat like mum,” she whispered.
“You’re not anything like your mum, Amber! Look at you. You’re beautiful, you are strong, you have an amazing career….how could anyone ever walk over you?”
“Nico Moretti could,” she burst out.
Beth exhaled softly. “Amber, how do you know if you won’t even give him a chance?”
Amber’s tears ran down her cheeks. “Because he’s a womaniser, B,” she cried out. “Because I see him with a different girl every week. How could he possibly stay committed to me?” She shook her head, roughly wiping away her tears. “I’d just be living my mum’s life. And I won’t do that.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes whilst each processed their thoughts. Beth stood up and went to dial for a take-away whilst they talked about other lighter subjects for a few minutes. When the food arrived, they sat at the table and Amber was reminded of how Nico had sat there in the same seat a week ago. How much had changed in the space of a week. Her heart actually felt like it was hurting.
Lost in her thoughts, Beth spoke. “You know, I understand just how you feel about the womanizing part.” She looked away, glancing into the distance. “Remember how I cried on your shoulder the same way? I worked for Theo so I actually had the pleasure of planning his dates.”
She scrunched her nose, grimacing at the memory. “I was also hesitant like you, Amber. Could I really trust him? As you know, it took us a little while to get there, but I can tell you now, that I worried for nothing. And I really think it will be the same for you and Nico. Give it a bit of time. If it’s meant to be, he’ll fight for you.” She looked earnestly at Amber. “But you have got to learn to trust too, hon. Not all men are like your father. Neither of our men were or are married with a kid at home, playing away.”
Amber nodded silently as Beth continued. “If he fights for you, like I think he will, then at least give him a chance. Don’t penalise him for something he hasn’t even done.”