Stand-In Saturday (Love For Days #2) - Kirsty Moseley Page 0,79
doesn’t like me, like me. I was merely a distraction to him and a chance to get his leg over, and although it was great at the time and I’ll never regret my weekend or the incredible sex, I’m not into casual hook-ups in real life. We had that one fantastic weekend, but neither of us is in a position to take it any further. It would simply be friends with benefits, and I’m not into that. I have to focus on my career, get myself back together, and maybe make Lucas beg for forgiveness.
Maybe in another life, un-broken Lucie meets un-infatuated Theo, and more than just one amazing weekend happens. But this is not that life.
It’s just after nine o’clock the following night when I text Theo with the details of the hotel I’ve booked for him. It’s just around the corner from my flat, so we can share a taxi back after the party. I’m already in my pyjamas (aka vest top and a massive pair of granny knickers; it’s damn hot, and I miss the air conditioning of my Scottish hotel room), and I’m in the process of making a cup of tea to take to bed with me while I read when my phone rings.
I startle and look down at my screen: FaceTime video call from Theo. My heart gives an unexpected squeeze. As I answer it and his handsome face fills my screen, I beam a smile.
“Hey!”
He grins. “Hi. Now a good time?”
“Course. You okay? You’d better not be calling to cancel on me.” My stomach clenches as I wait for his answer.
I’m not prepared for this party if he’s not coming; he’s like a piece of battle armour I’m going to wear. My courage wrapped up in a hunky six-foot-two package. Plus, I also want to see him again. It’s only been twenty-seven hours since we said goodbye at the airport, and I already miss his jokes and his smile.
“Not calling to cancel. Just calling to say hi.” He drops down onto his bed, sitting up against the headboard.
He’s not wearing a shirt; I can see the skin and toned muscles across the tops of his shoulders. It makes my mouth water.
“Are you naked?” Stupidly, I try to angle my head, so I can peek down to get a look at the good stuff.
He chuckles. “No. Are you?” He moves his phone away and upwards, so I get a full-body shot, and I see he’s wearing a pair of soft-looking grey tracksuit bottoms. Nothing else. The V line and that small spattering of hair make me squirm on my feet.
“No.” I shake my head and pan my screen, too, but just the top half, so he doesn’t see my massive granny knickers I sleep in when the weather is stifling.
Aubrey struts into the kitchen behind me, heading to the fridge. “Ooh, if you’re making tea, can I have one, too, please, babe? One of those sleep teas that tastes like feet.” She glances over her shoulder, and her eyes widen. “Are you FaceTiming?” Her lips press together to suppress her squeal of delight as she walks over and places her hands on my shoulders, beaming at Theo. “Hey! We haven’t officially met. I’m the BFF. I’m sure you’ve heard all about me.” She sends him a wave, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
Theo laughs and nods, shooting her his perfect, toothy smile. “I did. Hi, Aubrey. It’s nice to meet you.”
A little thrill goes through me that he remembered her name. I like that he listens to me. Lucas never used to listen to me unless it had to do with work. He’d ignore things I told him and things I arranged or if it was someone’s birthday, and then he’d turn it around on me, blame me for not telling him in the first place. Theo listens to everything I say. I love it.
“I heard all about you too,” Aubrey replies smugly.
“Nothing good,” I playfully chime in, rolling my eyes, making our drinks.
Aubrey chuckles wickedly. “I still can’t believe you made her dress up as Wonder Woman.”
“Ah, Aubrey, don’t bring that up. She’ll start cursing me in Italian again.” Theo winces, and we all burst into laughter.
Aubrey picks up her mug. “I’m gonna go to bed, let you two catch up. G’night.”
“Good night,” Theo and I both say at the same time. When she’s gone, I take my tea and head to my room. “FYI, Aubrey likes you. She wants to date you if