Fauxmance (Showmance #2)(70)
“It’s true that travel broadens the mind,” I said. “But you shouldn’t feel like you need someone to go with you. Then again, if you’re not comfortable going alone, you shouldn’t feel obliged to do that either. Sure, whenever I’m in the mood to get away, I just go. But like I always say, it’s different strokes for different folks.”
“Maybe I’ll be brave enough someday.”
I held her gaze. “I’ve no doubt you will.”
A moment passed before she spoke again. “You’re very good at giving advice, do you know that?”
“That’s only because I’ve made so many mistakes.”
She ran her finger through the sand, making a pretty swirl shape. I stared at her lips, wanting to kiss her. “Come here,” I murmured and reached out to grab her chin.
She shifted out of reach. “I’m not kissing you with cider breath, Julian, go away.”
I grinned deviously and came at her. “Oh, yes you are.”
She squealed and rolled to the side. I crawled on top of her and laid a big, wet slobbery kiss on her lips.
“You’re awful,” she complained, unable to help her laugher.
I gazed down at her, my chest too full. “I’m the best and you know it.”
Her expression softened as she whispered. “Yeah, I think you might be.”
Chapter Twenty
Ellen
Parties were not an easy thing for me. As I got ready for Dad and Shayla’s pre-wedding dinner, my nerves kicked in, just like they always did. I was going to have to see all my relatives, meet Shayla’s, smile and make small talk all evening. After the book signing back in London, my ‘interacting with people’ reserves were almost dried up.
I was just glad Julian would be with me. In this new world where I didn’t dress up, but rather was brave enough to be myself, he was a comfort blanket I feared letting go of.
Last night, we got drunk on the beach, then came home and passed out in bed. I wasn’t even disappointed that we didn’t have sex, because it was the most fun I’d had in ages. Just the two of us, hanging out, talking and being silly together.
Again, the place in my heart that he’d claimed expanded.
Julian was so open and playful, so loving even though he’d grown up in a way that should’ve hardened him. I got the sense that his relationship with Rose, the way she loved him like he was her own flesh and blood, was the one thing that saved him from himself.
I put on the bright yellow cocktail dress and studied myself in the full-length mirror by my bed. I’d originally bought it for Elodie, but maybe she wasn’t the only one who could pull it off. Maybe Julian was right, and Elodie was me just as much as I was Ellen.
I pinned my hair up in a loose bun, making an extra effort with my makeup. Julian emerged from the bathroom in a towel, having just showered. We spent most of the day lounging around and watching TV. It had been bliss.
“Cameron’s picking us up soon, so you better hurry,” I said as he came to stand behind me. I stood by the mirror, putting on my earrings. He bent and pressed a kiss to the hollow of my neck and a tremor went through me.
“Don’t worry. I won’t take long,” he murmured, then went to get dressed. Sometimes even the way he spoke turned me on.
Julian really knew how to pull off a shirt and slacks combo. He was going formal tonight and my thighs clenched at the sight of him.
“Quit looking at me like that or we really will be late,” he warned, eyes hot as they wandered over my dress. “You look amazing, by the way. Channelling Elodie are we?”
I smirked. “Maybe.”
“Well, she looks good on you.”
A horn honked outside, and I knew it was Cameron. He wasn’t one for making the effort to get out and knock. I slipped on my heels when we reached the bottom of the stairs, then opened the front door. Cam’s Volkswagen sat idling by the kerb, Nick in the passenger seat. I took a deep breath and held Julian’s hand as we walked over and got inside.
“Swit-swoo, look at you all gussied up!” Nick exclaimed. “I think you’re a good influence on her, Julian.”
“I try my best.”
“I’m Cameron,” my other brother put in, eyeing Julian suspiciously through his overhead mirror.
“Hello, it’s great to meet you,” Julian nodded. Cameron only grunted in response then put the car into gear.
“Don’t mind Mr. Congeniality over here. He’s in a mood because Shayla’s been trying to set him up with her niece,” Nick said.
“It’s a bit incestuous, if you ask me,” Cam grumped, eyes on the road.
“You haven’t even met her yet. She could look like Jessica Alba for all you know.”
“She could also look like Ann Widdicombe. I’d rather not take the chance.”
Nick rolled his eyes. “If she’s her niece, then she’s hardly going to be as old as Ann Widdicombe.”
Cam blew out an irritated breath. “A young version of her then.”
“I don’t know,” Julian put in. “Old Anny was kinda cute in her day. I bet she loves taking charge in the bedroom, too. Those conservatives are always a kinky sort.”
Nick let out a loud laugh. “I like your boyfriend, Ellen. He’s funny.”