FIFTEEN

“ I ’m stranded,” I said as I stood there on the street corner looking around and feeling like a lost puppy.

“Are you all right, dear,” an older woman asked.

I looked at her and realized I’d spoken aloud.

I don’t know. I want to go home. My boyfriend just dumped me. My boyfriend just left with another girl. I want to go home. I had a quick burger for lunch and I haven’t had dinner, because my boyfriend ran off with his co-star from the movie he’s making. He’s a big star and...

“Yes,” I finally said to the kind woman. “I’m... Well, I guess I’m a little lost. How do I get to Harrods?”

“Turn back and go that way, turn left and you’ll see it right there.”

“Thank you so much.”

I turned and walked away, numb and unseeing.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to cry. This was silly. This was insane. Damn it! Barnaby and Rhonda deserved each other... so conceited and full of themselves.

My throat hurt as a lump of pain and rejection formed and lodged itself there.

I have to get home. I have to get out of the city and get back to Moon Manor.

But why? I thought, still shocked by Barn’s behavior. Was he really that angry that I had sided with Keely instead of him? Was this his way of retaliating?

Damn it. This wasn’t his first movie. He should know better. Keely was the director and he the actor. Keely was executive producer, she wrote the script, she set up the production. Damn. The film was hers.

But I had a say in the movie as well. I was more than just the music arranger; I was a producer on the film. I agreed with everything Keely did on the project. We shared the same vision and hoped for the same outcome.

But then again... was it worth risking my romance with him? Romance? What romance? Was this how romance worked? Hot one minute, cold the next? One minute he’s buying me a pewter cat, the next... No! He didn’t even buy me the pewter cat. The second he saw Rhonda, he set my gift down and forgot all about it.

Damn! I then realized that I’d lost my Harrods bag with my Harrods bear. Had I set it down somewhere? I was certain I hadn’t.

No. No, I hadn’t because Barn had offered to carry the bag for me. He left with Rhonda and my bear.

Double damn.

Barnaby Darcy. Who did he think he was?

Who was he to demand that we take his every suggestion seriously? And who was he to treat me so badly?

How rude of him to leave me here. No. It was beyond rude. It was cruel. Downright cruel. He knew darn well that I had no way of getting back to Moon Manor. He knew full well that I hardly knew London at all.

Shoot! Damn. What the F!

I finally made it back to Harrods and considered finding my way back to Barn’s car. And do what? Wait for him to return with Rhonda?

Forget that!

So what’s your other option?

I pulled out my phone, found the number to a cab company and made the call.

“Yes,” I said as the call was answered. “I need a cab. I’m in front of Harrods.”

“And, where to, love?”

“Moon Manor.”

“I’m sorry? To where?”

“Moon Manor out in Derbyshire.”

“Oh, honey. I am sorry, but we don’t go out that far. You’ll have to try your luck with another cab company.”

Disappointed, I grunted, “Thank you,” and hung up.

Now what?

Keely. I had no choice. I hated the thought of bothering her on her day off. It was late in the day, and we probably wouldn’t make it back to Moon Manor before dark. I hesitated and tried to find another solution, but there was none. I made the call.

“Keely,” I said as she picked up. “I’m so sorry, but I’m really in a bind.”

“What’s up?”

“I’m in London.”

“Okay, and...?”

“And, I...” My voice caught in my throat, and I fought the urge to cry.

“Ayra? Is everything all right? What’s going on?”

How could I tell her what had happened with Barn? “Could you just come and get me... please.”

“Of course, I’ll come get you. Where are you?”

“Harrods.”

“What entrance?”

I looked around. “I’m on the main street, near a bus stop.”

“Brompton?”

“I don’t know.” I approached a woman coming my way. “Excuse me. What street is this?”

“Brompton, dear.”

“Thank you.” I returned to my call. “Yeah. It’s Brompton.”

“Okay now. Go inside, Ayra. Wait for me inside. It’s going to get dark soon and you shouldn’t be out on the street by yourself. You’re likely to get stabbed... or worse. You never know these days.”

“Okay. I’ll be looking out for you.”

I ended the call and walked inside, standing there like a dunce who didn’t know where to go. It seemed like an eternity as I watched cars pass by, sometimes stop to let someone off, or get someone on. But no Keely.

A Range Rover pulled up and stopped. No one got on or off. It was a beautiful vehicle, copper color, but...

The driver slowly got out and stood there looking toward the door of the mega store. After a moment, he came to the door and peered inside.

Jai? What was he doing there?

And why did he look so dapper, nothing like the country gentleman I’d come to know. Wearing a black blazer, white shirt and black jeans, he looked ready for a night on the town.

No. He looked more like a model ready for a shoot. And the women who passed by seemed to agree. As I walked out of Harrods to go see him, I noticed how the women eyed him, smiled at him and one even stopped to chat with him.

Darn. Am I going to be the third wheel once again? I halted my approach a moment.

“That’s very flattering,” Jai was telling the pretty young lady. “But I’m already accompanied this evening.”

He turned to me, and I came to them. The young woman smiled, clearly disappointed.

“Lucky you,” she whispered as she walked away.

“I didn’t know you were...” I began.

“You expected Keely.”

I nodded.

“You know how her days are. Even with everyone taking time off, she was hard at work all day.” He shrugged. “I was nearby when you called her and... since I was coming into town anyway... I thought we could both enjoy our day off together.”

Smiling, I just looked at him. I didn’t know what to say. I was blown away by how great he looked.

“I can see you’re disappointed,” he said with a playful grin.

I burst out laughing and lightly slapped his chest. “No, I’m not. Not in the least.”

“Yes, you are.” He pointed to my eyes. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re devastated.”

“The truth is, I’m just floored by how fantastic you look.”

“I clean up good, as you Americans say.”

Still laughing, I nodded. “You clean up real good.”

His playful smile suddenly turned shy, making him even more adorable.

“Where were you heading to?”

“Huh?” he let out.

“You said you were coming into town anyway. Where to?”

“Oh, yeah. Right. I occasionally come into town to meet up with friends. Sometimes we meet up at this dance club. Back in my Tech sector days we’d head down there after work.”

“You have friends in town?” I said, openly surprised.

He cocked a brow and grinned. “I do have a life outside Moon Manor, you know.”

How stupid of me. “Of course. Yes. I know that. It’s just that... well... Oh, okay. You’re right. I did think that Moon Manor was your life. I mean, you’re always there.”

“Well, before Moon Manor, I worked in London as a student, went to Oxford, then worked in finance, then tech. When that got a little dull, I got to work on my own little start up that I later sold.”

“Wow. That’s quite a life’s journey.”

“Right. So, you can understand why I was happy to end up at Moon Manor. It’s a completely different pace, a whole new look on life, and I love it.”

“I can tell.”

“So,” he said as he opened the passenger side door. “Would you like to join me and my pals, or would you prefer I bring you home now.”

“I don’t want to impose... you know... the one girl with the guys.”

“Don’t be silly. Besides, not only will they love you, but you won’t be the only girl there.”

“Oh. Well, if it’s okay with you, I’d love to join you.”

*****

“T HIS REALLY IS A COOL place,” Jai said. “They serve finger food, great beer, colorful drinks and they have great music.”

We walked into the club that was unimpressive from the outside, but cool and inviting on the inside. Bright colorful lights sent sparkles everywhere, and the large dance floor was already filled with enthusiastic dancers. Small tables for four were set around the perimeter of the dance floor while bright blue booths seating up to ten people hugged the back of the room.

“There they are,” Jai said as he pointed to a couple on the dance floor. He quickly waved them over.

“Hey, Jai,” the tall lanky fellow said.

The woman at his side came to give Jai a friendly hug. “Good to see you, Jai.” She looked at me, a warm smile on her cute, round face. “And who is this?”

“Jen and Ron Hawkins, this is Ayra,” Jai said. “Ayra, these are the two best people you could ever hope to meet, know and work with.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said to the ginger-haired pair.

Jen immediately shot her hand out to grab mine. “And it’s so nice to meet you,” she said with all the warmth in the world. “Come on. Our table is over there.”

We joined them at the small plexiglass table and sat down. Two tall orange-colored drinks were already on the table.

“Singapore sling?” Jen said as she held up her glass. “It’s an oldie but a goodie.”

“Take mine,” Ron said. “I haven’t touched it. Besides, I’ll just have a beer.”

“Thanks,” I said, drawn to the tasty looking drink.

“Two beers,” Jai said when the server came around.

With our drinks in hand, Ron leaned closer to Jai. “So, how are things out at the Manor? Any regrets?”

As they chatted, Jen scooted closer to me. “Those two always have to talk business and work when they see each other. How did you and Jai meet?”

“I’m working out at the Manor. I’m with a production company that’s filming a movie there.”

“Oh,” she said with a bright smile. “You’re the girl who’s crazy about Pride and Prejudice .”

“That’s me,” I said, a little surprised that Jai might have mentioned me to his friends. “It’s really good of Jai to allow us so much freedom out there. Making a movie... well... we can be quite an imposition. We’re spread out all over the place.”

“It’s always been in Jai’s nature to be generous and helpful. We’ve often told him that he has to learn to say ‘no’ sometimes, or he’ll get stepped on.”

“I know what you mean. He really is too sweet a guy.”

“The best,” Jen said. “That’s why we can’t understand why he’s still single. I mean, look at him. He’s cute, he’s kind and he’s really one of the good guys; the kind you can trust and count on. Like my husband always says, Jai is going to make some woman really happy one day.”

As I listened to her, I looked at Jai in a whole new light. Yeah, I knew he was good looking, and I guess I’d always known he was one of the good guys, but... Now it was all coming together, as if...

“Hey! This is my all-time favorite song,” Jen said as she popped out of her seat. “Come on, guys. We’re not just going to sit around all night.”

“I don’t know,” I said as I reluctantly stood. “I’m not that great a dancer.”

“Who cares?” Jen quickly shot back. “The idea is to have fun, not wow the critics.”

She was so right, I just had to laugh.

We hit the dance floor and moved to the funky rhythm. I looked at Jai, curious to see his moves. Though I fully expected a gawky, awkward and stiff dancer, he surprised me with his smooth moves that had his body swaying to the music in a way that was mesmerizing. He seemed completely at ease on the dance floor, as if the music enveloped him. He was a phenomenal dancer.

When the funky song ended and a slower song began, I turned to leave the dance floor.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Jen said as she grasped my hand and brought me closer to Jai.

Jai shrugged as he took me into his arms. “She might seem a little bossy, but she really is a sweetheart.”

“I don’t doubt it,” I said already feeling like I’d known her for years.

I felt stiff and awkward in Jai’s arms, like I didn’t belong there, but as his strong hand came to rest in the small of my back and held me – so tender and yet so firm – it suddenly felt so right.

I glanced up at him and immediately turned away, leaning my head on his shoulder. You smell nice, I wanted to say, but the words stuck in my throat.

“This is nice,” Jai whispered into my ear.

I nodded.

He squeezed me tighter against him and I let out a satisfied sigh. I suddenly felt I belonged in his arms. I felt safe. I felt good.

The music faded from my ears. The dancers and revelers around us disappeared. We were alone in the world. All that mattered were his arms around me and his warm breath in my ear.

That sense of warmth stayed with me the rest of the night as we drank, danced and laughed. I loved his friends, loved my night out with Jai and just loved everything about being with him.

“It’s been great meeting you,” Jen said as we stood outside the club saying our goodbyes.

“I do hope to see you again soon,” I said.

“Goodnight, guys,” Jai said with a wave as he took my hand and led me to the parking lot.

“Are you sure you’re okay to drive?” I said as we approached Jai’s Rover.

“Positive,” he said with a grin. “While you’ve been downing those fruity drinks, I’ve been having sparkling water.”

I could just feel the silly grin on my face. I was deliriously happy. And I could feel my googly eyes as I looked up at him. I knew I looked silly, and I didn’t care. He was so fun and easy to be with. I was myself... completely and totally myself.

“Now, get in so I can take you home,” he said as he helped me into his vehicle and got me buckled up. His hand lingered on my thigh for a moment as he stood there in the open car door. “In case you fall asleep on the way home, I just want you to know, I really had a great time tonight.”

I giggled. “So did I.”

“Watch your hands,” he said with a laugh as he backed away and closed the door.

The city was relatively quiet as we took to the road, and the countryside even quieter. I nearly nodded off, but then sat up straight, not wanting the glorious night to end.

“Oh,” I lamented as we arrived in Derbyshire. “I forgot to call Keely to let her know we’d be back late.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I took care of it.”

I glanced sidelong at him. He really was a remarkable guy.

The rest of the ride to Moon Manor was in silence, completely comfortable and relaxing silence.