Chapter 37

It was Sunday lunchtime when Gigi arrived at the hotel. The receptionist called Enjay’s suite and he came down to meet her.

“Hey, babe.” Fresh from the shower, his white T-shirt clung to his super-toned abs and he smelled fantastic. Aware of the blonde receptionist’s discreet glances in his direction, he winked at Gigi but didn’t touch her. “What’s up?”

In the safety of the hotel he didn’t need Maz or AJ to shadow him. Gigi said, “There’s something I wanted to see you about. Kind of in private.” She hesitated, because the receptionist might not be watching but she was certainly listening. “It’s a business proposition. Maybe we could go to your room.”

Upstairs in the opulent cream and Wedgwood-blue suite, Enjay closed the door and said, “Let’s hear it then. Fire away.”

“Right. Well, first of all, thanks for inviting us to the party last night. It was great. And you won over all the oldies, made them like you. I wasn’t sure you’d manage it.”

“What can I say?” He spread his arms. “It’s my modesty and charm. Gets ’em every time.”

“I brought you a thank-you present.”

“Yeah?” His dark eyes gleamed. “Sounds good to me. I don’t get too many presents from other people.”

“Hold out your hand.”

“Better still. I hope it’s a Rolex.” He extended his arm.

“Sshh, you’ve already got one of those. I’m giving you something you don’t have.” Gigi reached into her jeans pocket. “Close your eyes.”

“Yeah, right, and when I open them again, you’ll have made off with all my jewelry.” But Enjay did as she asked and waited patiently until she’d finished tying the loose threads in a knot.

“OK, you can open them now.”

He did so. The gift looked pretty incongruous next to the diamond-encrusted Rolex and ornate rings, but never mind. If you can’t compete in the diamond stakes, go for something different. Gigi said, “It’s a friendship bracelet.”

“Hey.” Enjay’s voice softened. “I know it’s a friendship bracelet. This is really cool.”

Gigi watched him examine the painstakingly plaited centimeter-wide strip composed of tightly woven pink, green, and purple threads. “I made it this morning.”

“I bet it took you a while.”

“Two and a half hours.”

“You’re going to see me wearing this from now on. Thank you.” He came forward, rested a hand on her shoulder, and gave her a semi-hug before stepping back. As if she were slightly contagious.

“Do you like it?”

“I like it a lot.” Enjay flashed her his lazy wolfish smile. “I’m glad I met Harry, and I’m glad I met his friends.”

“Can I say something?” Gigi mentally braced herself.

“It’s a free country.”

“OK, I’ve been thinking. Remember the other day at the thermal baths, when you were pretty keen on me and I turned you down, told you I’d never do anything like that with you?”

“I remember.”

“Well,” said Gigi, “I’ve changed my mind.”

A beat of silence.

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning I’ve given it a lot of thought. And I didn’t want to be one of your conquests, a pretty girl who’s basically a nobody who gets slept with then forgotten about. But now I’ve looked at it from the other angle.” She was speaking faster and faster, the words tumbling out in an effort to make him understand. “And this is an opportunity for me, one of those once-in-a-lifetime things. Because how often am I going to get the chance to sleep with a world-famous rapper? It’s never going to happen again, is it? And you’re not going to be here for much longer. So that’s it, I’ve decided. We should definitely do this thing. And you won’t have to worry about me following you around afterward, pestering you and expecting more once it’s over. We both know it’s only going to be a one-off.”

More silence. Finally Enjay said, “So as far as you’re concerned, I’d be an experience you could tick off your to-do list.”

“Exactly. This way we both get what we want!”

“OK. You said this was an opportunity that was never going to happen again.” He shook his head slowly. “I got news for you, babe. It ain’t going to happen at all.”

“Why not?”

“You changed your mind. Well, I changed mine too.” He gazed steadily at her. “Does your daddy know you’re here?”

“No, he doesn’t. Anyway, what are you, scared of him? I wasn’t planning on telling him about any of this, if that’s what’s bothering you.”

“How about your mom?”

He was scared. This was definitely what was putting him off. Gigi said, “She doesn’t know either. Look, a girl I met at the gym is having a barbecue this afternoon. She invited me along. That’s where I was going to be spending the day and that’s where everyone thinks I am, at a barbecue on a farm in Lansdown.” She took a step toward him, lowered her voice, and added seductively, “But I’d much rather be here with you.”

“OK, now listen to me.” Enjay placed his hands on her shoulders but stayed at arm’s length. “Thanks, but I do have some scruples. Not many, but a few. And I’m gonna keep that promise I made to your daddy.”

“Oh but—”

“No arguments. And I’m doing this for your benefit.” His voice softened. “In a couple of days we’ll be leaving for London. I’ll be hitting the clubs and I’ll be hit on by bad girls, y’know what I’m saying? They’re the ones I’ll be sleeping with. Believe me, it’s better this way.”

He was looking genuinely regretful, which only made the rejection worse. Gigi said stubbornly, “I don’t see why.”

“Hey, you’re a good girl. Bad girls are more my scene.”

“I could be a bad girl.” She wasn’t going to beg, but being turned down was definitely a frustrating thing to happen.

Except Enjay was already shaking his head again, half smiling and regarding her as if she were a small child robustly announcing that she was going to be an astronaut when she grew up.

“You’re too nice to be a bad girl. I can’t take you up on it, but I do appreciate the offer. And the friendship bracelet too. Look, you go off to your friend’s barbecue and have a great time.” He gave her a brief hug, then led her to the door. “Bye.”

Gigi said in a small voice, “I feel a bit stupid now.”

“Hey, darlin’, you mustn’t. You’re worth more than that.” The glint was back in his eyes as he flashed her that trademark wicked smile. “Look on it as a lucky escape.”

***

Lara was ready and waiting when Flynn arrived at the house to pick her up. The plan had been for Gigi to go along with him to a wine-tasting demo at a harborside event in Bristol. But when she’d mentioned on Friday about the invitation to the barbecue, Lara hadn’t had the heart to let her miss it. If she was going to properly settle in Bath, Gigi needed to make more friends and extend her social circle. Lara had volunteered to take her place at the wine-tasting.

She could do it. It would be fine. Maybe the more time she spent with Flynn, the easier things would become; the novelty of those out-of-the-blue adrenaline rushes might wear off.

With any luck.

“All OK?” said Flynn as she jumped into the car.

“Perfect.”

“Did Gigi explain what you’ll be doing?”

“Of course.” Lara smoothed down her skirt and fastened the seat belt. “You’re the one running the show, being the clever expert. All I have to do is waft around being nice to people and pouring little bits of wine into glasses. It’s practically my two favorite hobbies.”

“Is Gigi still at home?”

“No, she left early to go to the barbecue. She was really looking forward to it,” said Lara. “Couldn’t wait.”

“And what’s Evie doing today?”

“Ah well, I put my master plan into action. I told Harry that Evie loved golf but didn’t have anyone to play with. And I told Evie that Harry was dying for a game of golf but hated going on his own.” Lara tried not to look pleased with herself and failed. “So basically I explained that they’d be doing each other a massive favor and having a brilliant day out at the same time. Then”—she played her trump card—“they’re going to come back to the house and Evie’s going to cook a roast dinner, and if anything’s going to impress Harry, it’ll be her roast dinner.”

Flynn gave her a look. “You really think that’ll work?”

“Listen, the first time she cooked one for me I nearly married her myself.”

“But Evie lives in Bath. Harry lives in Keswick.”

“God, you’re such a pessimist. If they’re right for each other,” said Lara, “they’ll find a way. It’s called moving house.”

“Simple as that?”

“Simple as that.”

“Joel called me this morning. He still wants Evie back.”

“So he can cheat on her again? Please! He had his chance and he blew it. She deserves better,” Lara announced. “And I’m going to make sure she gets it.”

As they headed out of the city, Flynn said drily, “Whether she wants you to or not.”