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The dark look he gave me told me he was annoyed. “I’m sorry, I guess we’re going to get shit like that for a while. I didn’t think they’d be so brazenly disruptive like she was. Trust me, I’ll do my best to squash it, but I imagine it’s going to feel rough for a while.”
“Jamie, nothing anyone can say will change how I feel. I’m sure women will want to offer advice, warn me off, make malicious remarks or try to be my best friend. You forget I’m a woman too. I’ve had twenty six years of training to deal with bitches and manipulators. Did I ever tell you I went to an all girl school?” I chuckled. “It was run by nuns breathing hellfire and damnation at every turn. Girls like Beverley and Delphine can do their worst, I’m ready for them.”
“Damn,” he chuckled. “Wait? Delphine? What did she say?”
“It doesn’t matter, she’ll think twice before she comes at me again.”
His body steeled, “She came at you?”
The way he barked the question made me regret my slip of the tongue. I had wanted a drama free time with him and suddenly I’d caused it.
“Please, let it go. We have less than a day left,” I reminded him. When his eyes met mine, they softened, and I felt his body relax. “You’re right, reacting will only fuel them to do it more. Come on, I want you to meet Fingers’ wife, Kim. She’s a sweetheart, you’ll like her.”
Twenty minutes later, I’d forgotten the two women and was busying listening to a story when I noticed Jamie and Delphine leaving the room together. She left first and was immediately followed by him. I wondered if they were going to talk. I hadn’t noticed them interact in the room, but my attention was on other members of the band.
Perhaps I should have felt alarmed they’d left the room together, but I knew if Jamie and I were solid then I had to trust him to be alone with her. Bernie had told me their relationship was that of friends; at least as far as Jamie’s feelings went.
“Hello gorgeous,” a voice said behind me, grabbing me by my waist. Shocked at being grabbed by another man, I shrieked and looked over my shoulder. Ryan grinned at me. “How’s my favorite auntie-in-law?” he asked, grinning.
“Good thanks, did you and Belle have fun today… I mean sightseeing before you divulge any smutty information too sensitive to my innocent ears,” I added quickly.
“You, innocent and my uncle Jamie doesn’t equate. But you’re learning about me at least,” Ryan joked, knowing his usual no filtered responses. “We had a wonderful time. It was actually quite romantic.”
“Look, I know you’ve both said that you’re just having fun, but you’re both at college; or you will be, come the autumn, I mean fall—”
“I really like your sister, Daisy,” he said, suddenly serious, “she’s not like any other girl I’ve met before.”
“But don’t you think that’s just a cultural thing? Maybe she thinks a little different from the girls you know back home?”
“Culture alone wouldn’t be enough for me to turn down offers from other girls.”
“Wow, Ryan, that must be hard for you,” I drawled sarcastically.
“Yeah, you can be cynical all you want, and I probably deserve it, but I really do like Belle… a lot.”
I studied his face for a few seconds and felt the weight of his words in his still body language. “Then it’s going to be tough for you. I’m speaking from experience. What has Belle got to say? Have you told her? From the conversation she had with me, I think she’s viewing this differently.”
“Jamie said the same thing… about how hard it is loving someone from a distance, but…” he shrugged, and I saw he felt torn. “Until this weekend, Belle had kept me at a distance. I know you don’t want to hear it, but the friends with benefits kind of deal she offered, was exactly what I thought I’d wanted. However, since New Year’s we’ve talked and messaged several times a day,” he shrugged. “We’ve grown close.”
“Ryan, have you spoken about your feelings again since you’ve been here?” I asked, remembering what Belle had said in the foyer shortly after she’d arrived.
“Yeah, last night was a heavy conversation where we laid our thoughts and feelings on the table.”
“And?”
“And what?” Belle asked, her presence making both Ryan and I turn to look at her.
“Come to the restroom with me,” she demanded. I raised my eyebrow because hers was a confrontation too many for one night.
“Sorry, you’re right Belle, it’s none of my business,” I conceded, shifting my eyes between hers and Ryan.
“Come on, keep me company,” she insisted.
I sighed and held my hands up as she turned and walked away. “Later,” I mouthed to Ryan because it felt obvious he’d wanted to say more.
When we entered the bathroom, Belle closed the door, checked the cubicle stalls were empty and leaned against the door again. “I want you to hear this.” She held her phone in her hand.
“Not cool, Delphine.” Jamie’s angry voice sounded sharp coming from her phone. My mouth gaped that she’d taped a conversation.
