Lori

It was getting close to midnight, and it was time for the cake to be ceremoniously cut and for us all to wish Aidan a happy birthday. Now I truly wished I hadn’t done what he would now find out, but I’d been insulted at the time and had wanted to deliver a message to him. There was nothing I could do about it now so I went up towards the cake where Ashley handed me a microphone.

“Hey all,” I said to the assembled guests. “If you could all gather around, it’s time to raise a glass to the birthday boy.”

People gathered

around the cake and I cleared my throat.

“Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Aidan for three very happy months together.” There was a round of applause. “And to show my appreciation, I have rather special gift for you. If you’d like to come forward,” I gestured to him. He moved closer and standing at my side he waited, looking genuinely excited to see what I’d bought him. I knew then as I looked at him that he was waiting for a genuine gift from me and if I’d only bought him a keyring, he would have valued it. Alas, Ashley was already handing him the photograph of his gift - a motor boat. A boat that had cost exactly two hundred thousand dollars. His drop in the ocean. Looking at his face now I guessed that money had hurt a lot more than he’d expected.

I’d got my money for college without his. My savings hadn’t been far off my total and then I’d received an amount of compensation relating to the injuries I’d sustained at the hands of my ex. I’d need to work alongside college but I was used to it. I’d decided I wasn’t going back to the movie industry. Since sleeping with Aidan I’d realized that from now on I wanted one man only to sleep with. My movie days were over. I’d never regret doing them though. It had been a short fun career and when I was old and wrinkled, I’d be able to look back on just how fantastically toned I’d been and what a great rack I’d had.

I was pulled back to the present by Aidan speaking.

“Lori, this gift conveys to me so much, how much thought you put into things. The message within this gift is humbling. I’m a very lucky man to know you and I thank you for being such a special friend.” He kissed my cheek, and I knew this was his goodbye. Then Ashley announced that Aidan was cutting the cake and everyone erupted into a round of Happy Birthday.

“Come on, we’re going to have a walk around.” Amelia pulled on my arm and dragged me towards the bar. “What was that all about? I could see the tension there and he called you his friend. I would have expected a full on smooch at the very least if not virtually you fucking on stage after that gift.”

“Come with me.” I said, and I pulled her in the direction of the stock room. As the girlfriend of the boss no one blinked an eye when they saw tears in my own, about us going in there.

In there I told Amelia everything.

“Oh my God. What a mess. Why don’t you just tell him?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I just want to leave quietly and go and do my course. I’ve given up so much for relationships before. So, I can’t put myself out there again. I just can’t. Amelia, I’m emotionally battered. I need time out from men.”

She sighed. “Please stay in touch with me, Lori, I think we could be good friends.”

“I will, I promise.” I told her. “Please don’t tell Henry, or if you do, don’t let Eli find out. Aidan wants him to ask his assistant out. He says he knows it would be good for him.”

“He’s just a softie at heart, isn’t he?” She smiled. “You know, he helped get me and Henry together? Made him jealous.”

“He’s a great guy.” I admitted.

“So why not try?” Amelia pleaded. “What have you got to lose?”

We walked back out to the bar area, and I looked over at Aidan. We’d both done some ridiculous things, but could we actually try? Would he be willing to take things slow while I did my college course?

“I’ll give it a shot.” I told her and she emitted a shriek.

With a hand squeeze from Amelia and a “Go get your man,” I walked over to him.

He turned to me, those eyes filled with confusion. “Do you have a minute?” I asked him.

“Sure?”

“I think this is how I want to deliver my message,” I told him and I leaned up, my heels having made me almost as tall as he was and I kissed him on the mouth.

“This is a very peculiar boy’s night, unless she’s hiding a dick down there and I don’t think that’s the case with that tight dress.” I spun around to see Ember standing beside us.

“Mr. Hall. The movie got stuck.” A panic-stricken employee yelled, surprising us all.

“So put another one on and in future ask Ashley about anything like that.” Aidan rolled his eyes as the young guy left. “Jesus. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing anymore.” He looked at me. “Lori. Could you just give me a minute while I speak with Ember?”

I nodded and walked back over to Amelia. I brought her up to date and then we watched for almost fifteen minutes while Aidan and Ember talked. At times it became heated but eventually she left. I noticed the upset in her eyes as she gave me a glance on her way out.

Aidan came walking back over towards me.

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