“What?”
“Ask yourself if you can exist without James.”
Her bottom lip wobbles. I don’t know why we’re going the long way round to the point when, really, that’s the crux. They are now one, and without each other, merely empty vessels with a heartbeat.
“Let’s go home,” I say, done with pampering for today. Beau nods, making me breathe a little easier, and I call Danny to let him know. “Hey,” I say, hoping he’s calmer than when we spoke before.
“Hey,” he breathes, sounding exhausted. “Good day?”
Small talk. I’m not game. “We’re leaving now.”
“What?” he blurts, making me still, pausing for thought. “Already? Aren’t you having fun?”
Fun? Fun pretending to relax and have fun? No, I can’t say I am. “We’ve been here for—”
“Did you negotiate? Get her down to four?”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
I look at Beau, who’s looking too interested for my liking. And probably James’s and Danny’s. “Where are you?” I ask.
“The club. Why don’t you go home? We’ll meet you there.”
“Okay,” I say quietly, thoughtfully, hanging up. “They’re at the club.”
“And?”
“And that’s where we’re going.” I pivot and take myself back out to the spa floor, finding Fury. “Danny said to take us to the club.”Please don’t call and check.
“Fine.” He goes back to the copy ofHello!that he’s been reading since we arrived.
What the hell is going on?
Fury drives like Miss Daisy from the spa to the club. “Anytime today,” I quip, getting a tired look in the rearview mirror.
When we pull up, I see Ringo up ahead hopping out of a Mercedes and running across the road. I slip out and walk into the club, gazing around. Could be me, but the atmosphere feels a bit... tense. Mason is stacking the top shelf, and a few other staff are sweeping the floor and mopping. “Where are they?” I ask, making Mason look over his shoulder.
“Oh, Rose, Beau, ladies, what a surprise.”
“Yeah, I bet,” I say, heading for the office as the others go to the bar. I wander in without knocking and find Ringo looking out of breath. I eye him. He looks away.
“Where’s Beau?” James says, standing.
“At the bar.” He settles, but the worry and stress etched all over his face doesn’t lift.
“Hey, baby.” Danny smiles. “I thought you were heading home.”
Fucking dickhead. I should slap him for treating me like I’m stupid. “Well, I thought I would surprise you.” This is ridiculous. I go to my husband, hand him a card with the details of the spa owner, and reach up to kiss his cheek. “When is Daniel home?”
“I spoke to Tank an hour ago. They’re bowling.”
“Oh, lovely.”
“Mum here?” he asks.
“Having a glass of wine with the girls.”