16. Lara

Chapter 16

Lara

“ C redit where credit’s due though, especially if you’ve given no inclination that you’ll reciprocate the flirting. The man is persevering like an absolute champ.”

An obnoxious laugh rips from my throat at Mia’s words, which garners some odd looks from fellow restaurant-goers. The three of us are enjoying a meal out for the first time in weeks, finally having found a night we were all free.

I’m shocked but not surprised at Mia’s praise for the man who shamelessly flirts with Harper most days. She makes a good point though. Regardless of the fact he’s almost ten years her senior and they work on the same floor, he hasn’t let up.

“Please don’t encourage his behaviour,” Harper responds with a tut. Despite her best efforts to hide it, I catch a glimpse of the smallest of smiles playing on Harper’s lips. Mia just grins, shaking her head. “Anyway, enough about me,” Harper continues. “Lara, honey, how’s work going for you?”

It's not a hard question by any means, yet I’m stuck on how to respond. Stalling, I take a sip from my water glass. “I love the bookstore, and Riss is a delight?—”

“Oh, there’s a but coming,” Mia chimes in, prompting. Harper to tap her hand and give her a warning look.

“Don’t jump to conclusions Mia, let her finish.”

Mia gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Lars. Continue.”

A sad smile finds its way onto my face. “Actually, Mia’s right. I love it there, but it just doesn’t provide a high enough income for the weekend trips we planned that first week. When I got here, I had hopes of nights in Scotland, weekend trips to Paris, and perhaps an Amsterdam visit or two. Where have I travelled so far? The Tesco Supermarket around the corner.”

“Hey now,” Harper adds with a reassuring squeeze of my wrist. “Don’t forget the Primark on Oxford Street. Surely it beats out our local Tesco.”

A chorus of laughs rings out between the three of us. Cheeks tender and tears on the brink of spilling over, our laughter slowly dies down.

“Despite the wonderful Tesco and Primark trips we’ve embarked on, I want more. I need more. So I’m going to look for another part time gig to work alongside the bookstore.”

Mia, who’d been watching the wait staff like a hawk for our dessert, whips her head in my direction with such tenacity I’m momentarily worried it’ll fly right off her shoulders. “I know you love Chapter Nine, but would you be open to something full-time instead? Because I might just know of an opening you’d be a perfect fit for.”

The June sun shining down on me as I make my way to my interview two days later makes me think of home. There haven’t been an awful lot of sunny days during the three months I’ve been here, so I’m grateful for the warmth.?

I’ve never been much of a summer person, which is laughable considering I spent most of my life in what’s known as the “Sunshine State”. Bearing in mind our summer days back home stay around the 32° mark; this 23° heat isn’t exactly hot.

Where the locals are dressed for a day at the beach, and the smell of barbeques permeates the air, I’m in a Harper Original—as in borrowed from Harper’s extensive winter wardrobe. It’s handy having friends the same size as you for this exact reason.?

Harper, well aware of the wardrobe I’d bought with me from Australia, whisked me into her closet yesterday when Mia informed us the HR Manager wanted to meet with me this morning.

“We need to pick you out a bombshell interview outfit, really make you leave an impression on them.”

Harper is a firm believer of “dress for the job you want”, which is precisely why I’m currently walking through London in a red pantsuit, as though the streets are my personal catwalk.

My hair is done up in a sophisticated ballerina bun, and my no-makeup makeup look will hopefully hide the nervous blush I’m sure to exhibit whilst simultaneously making my baby face look its 27 years.

Well, I absolutely smashed that interview, if I do say so myself. In my defence, Anna also told me as much. The Head of HR was easily one of the most delightful people I’ve ever encountered, as well as one of the best dressed.?

The first thing I noticed as she strode through the lobby was her energy. It sounds strange to say I could see someone’s energy, but it’s true. The way Anna held herself commanded the attention of any and all in her vicinity.?

She was tall, with legs that went for miles and curves I would pay good money for. The simple burgundy dress she donned hugged her in all the right places and made me desperately wish for a figure like hers. I wanted to be this woman when I grew up.

The interview was pretty standard; it included a brief history of the company, questions about me, questions about the company, etc. At the conclusion, Anna beamed at me.?

“I had a feeling from what Mia had told me that you’d be a great match. Now I’ve met you, I think you’re the perfect fit for our CEO.”?

CEO.

Mia hadn’t mentioned the executive I’d be assisting would be the CEO, had she?

Anna had suggested we go upstairs to meet him, but unfortunately his office was empty when we arrived on the 20th floor. Regardless, I’d been offered the job on the spot and asked if I could start on Monday, at which time I’d meet their elusive leader.

Nothing but praise for Mr Lawrence came out of Anna’s mouth, so I’m excited to meet him next week.

Although I have extensive admin experience in a variety of sectors, legal and executive assistance are two areas in which I have zero expertise. Given this, I’m kind of nervous. But fake it til you make it , right? Even though I wanted this job, I’m still a little shocked I was successful.

It's just after lunch when I arrive at Chapter Nine for my shift. Riss shuffles straight over as I walk through the front door.

“How did it go, dear? Did they love you?”

I don’t get a word in before she pulls me in for a hug.

“Oh, what a silly question, of course they loved you. I wouldn’t be surprised if they hired you on the spot.”

Pulling away from Riss’ affection, I give her a coy smile. I swear this woman knows everything.

“Actually, that’s exactly what they did.” I fiddle with one jacket sleeve, avoiding her gaze. “I’m meant to start Monday.”

“Meant to?” she asks, eyebrows furrowed.

“I told Anna I’d have to confirm later today. I’m meant to open the store on Monday.”

A small hand claps me on the shoulder. “Oh, Lara dear, don’t be silly! My granddaughter can help me out; you’re starting Monday.”

Tears threaten to spill over my eyelids as I’m met with the sweetest smile. Whether they’re tears of appreciation, joy, or sadness is yet to be determined. They’re probably a combination of all three.

Riss has become somewhat of a fill-in grandmother to me, always checking in on me, asking for updates on the girls, and making sure I’m fed. Food seems to be her love language, so I’ll be damned if I intervene.

“Promise me you’ll visit for tea on occasion?” Riss’ smile falters slightly as her eyes brim with tears, and that’s my undoing. My nose wrinkles as I attempt to quell the emotions with small sniffles. Untrusting of my voice, I nod.

The petite lady reaches up a hand to cup my cheek, wiping away a stray tear from the tip of my nose. “This is a wonderful thing dear, you should be so proud of yourself.”

My heart aches at the thought of not seeing Riss as often as I currently do. She’s become an important constant in my life abroad, and mornings without our tea together won’t be the same.

The rest of the day goes by in a blur, with more customers than usual, given a few new releases we’ve got in stock. Despite the rush, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that something is off today. What that is, I haven’t the slightest clue, but the feeling doesn’t wane.

I’m confirming the final details with Anna when Riss pops her head through the storeroom archway.

“Congratulations again, Lara. We’ll see you at nine o’clock Monday.” With a friendly goodbye, the call disconnects.

“It’s official!” Riss beams at me from the doorway. “I’m off now dear, but I’ll see you on Thursday.”

“See you then!”

Collecting up her things, Riss blows me a kiss before disappearing from sight, the doorbell sounding moments later.

I glance down at my watch. Woah, it’s four o’clock already. Where has the day gone? An unexpected pang of disappointment hits me in the chest as I realise what felt off: Mr Darcy hasn’t shown his face today.

Disappointment sits heavy in my stomach. Since when do I care? A little voice chimes in from the back of my mind, sounding eerily like a mix between Harper and Mia.

You started caring from the moment he went down on you with more skill than Owen Gray.

Well, shit , the hybrid voice may have a point.

I go through the motions of closing the store for the day without really thinking about it. My thoughts are stuck on one tall, dark and sarcastic man and his lack of showing up today. I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t enjoy our interactions, and I don’t just mean the physical storeroom kind.

I hate to admit it, but the man makes me laugh. He also makes me scowl and roll my eyes to the point of pain, but the laughter side of things seems to be more prominent.

Last Tuesday comes to mind; it was as though he was enjoying seeing me happy. That can’t be right, can it? The man usually gets on my last nerve, yet something was different that day. He was different.

“Well, well, this is certainly interesting.”

The deep timbre of Mr Darcy’s voice draws my attention away from the stack of books I’ve been pricing up. He’s standing in front of the Staff Picks stand looking as dapper as always. On this angle, it’s hard not to stare at the way his trousers hug his arse so perfectly. Something resembling a whimper escapes me at the sight. Heat blooms in my cheeks almost immediately. His gaze flickers to me, and I fumble the pricing machine I’m holding.

“W-what’s interesting?” I hope the question makes him forget the noise he just heard.

There’s a smirk on his face as he picks up one of the books, waving it in his hand like a makeshift fan. “This pick right here is very interesting.”

Despite knowing he’s purposely being vague to get my attention, I play along. I wander over to stand beside him, glancing at the book—The Bonus by T.L. Swan.

“He looks an awful lot like me, don’t you think?” He quirks a brow.

I can’t help it, I keel over in a fit of laughter.

When I right myself, I place a hand on his bicep. I didn’t intend on touching him, but it doesn’t feel wrong when I do. The moment my skin makes contact with his, my heart thuds once against my ribcage, then settles into its usual rhythm.

I feel his gaze on me before I see it. When I glance up, I’m met with the sincerest smile I think I’ve ever seen on that handsome face. There’s never been any doubt he had a good-looking face, but when the corners of his eyes wrinkle and his signature dimple appears, my heart squeezes. I’m not sure I’ll ever see someone more enchanting than he is right now, gazing down at me like I hung the stars.

Ignoring the strong desire to pull away from him and the intensity of his gaze, I keep my hand planted firmly on his arm. Mr Darcy studies my face for a moment before blinking and refocusing his gaze, the moment having passed.

On my walk home, disappointment flares again as thoughts of what could’ve been flood my mind. Given the fact there’s almost ten million people living in London, there’s a good chance I’ll never see him again.