Free Giving what He Wants (Celine and Rhyland Series) by Iris Deorre Page A

the week for drinks.
    ‘You know he’s kinda pissed off with you.’
    ‘I don’t understand why.’
    ‘Why do you think?’
    ‘Oh man, we’re not going through that again. I mean I don’t like him that way.’
    ‘You’ve never really given him a chance.’
    ‘Can we not talk about this? If he was man enough, he’d tell me already.’ She stood up. ‘I better get to bed, early start tomorrow.’
    ‘Yep, assignment week, hope you won’t get any distractions.’
    ‘Yeah I hope not. Goodnight.’ She headed for her room.
    ‘Yeah goodnight.’
    ****
    She couldn’t sleep a wink nor the days after that. She walked around feeling like a zombie. For three weeks she heard nothing from him and she couldn’t just contact him, it wasn’t her place. She tried to get on with her life as best she knew how. How could someone come into her life like that and turn her life around. She was angry at him for doing it but more angry at herself for allowing it. Money, was that it? Was that why she did it? It had never been about the money, she would’ve gone with him for free but the offer was too hard to resist and now she felt like a tramp. Used and disposed of. Friday was the usual drinks with friends and even though she tried to join in it was hard to care what everyone was so jolly about. Every moment she checked her mobile for messages, messages that would never come. Harvey would eye her now and then but she gave him none of her attention. It was just an annoyance having to socialise when she didn’t really want to.
    Before the night ended Celine decided to call it a night, even though she was in a crowd she felt like the loneliest person in the world.
    ‘I can take you home if you want?’ Harvey offered.
    ‘I’ll just get a cab.’
    ‘I’ll take it with you just to make sure you’re safe.’
    She hesitated but he was adamant that he wanted to make sure she was safe.
    ‘I better as k Ava if she wants to come too?’
    ‘Ava’s drunk she won’t want to leave the party now.’ He didn’t want Ava travelling with them.
    ‘I’ll still ask her, I’m not going to just leave her.’
    ‘Yeah sure okay.’ He felt rather peeved. Every time he wanted to be alone with her something would come up.
    ‘Ava...Ava!’ she shouted over the crowd.
    ‘What’s up?’
    ‘I’m going home you coming?’
    Ava looked at her watch and snorted. ‘Are you kidding me?’
    ‘I take it that’s a no then?’
    ‘A resounding no.’
    ‘I’ll see you later then.’
    She left her t o it and Harvey and Celine walked out into the busy street. It was pretty cold. She’d worn a golden strapless dress with gold shoes to match. Even though she looked stunning it was biting cold outside.
    ‘Here put this around you.’ He handed over his jacket.
    ‘You don’t have to do that, I’ll live, I’ve done it many times before.’
    ‘I want to and what kind of gentleman would I be if I let you freeze.’
    She smiled as she let him put the jacket around her shoulders. They crossed the busy road from the pub and joined a line of people waiting for cabs. It was busy, there was so much noise and each taxi that came by seemed to have a designated person for it.
    ‘Looks like we need to ring a cab,’ she said. ‘Ava always sorted out these details.’
    ‘Do you want me to go and have a look, there’s a taxi over there with no one in.’ He pointed behind them.
    Before she could answer he walked over to the cab bent and spoke to the guy. As he negotiated Celine watched the man who had been her friend since they’d started university. He was sweet and kind and had always looked out for her. She smiled as she watched him have the conversation with the driver. Finally all seemed well and he walked back.
    ‘He’ll charge us double because it’s after midnight,’ he said.
    ‘That’s fine, I have the money,’ she said.
    ‘Don’t worry about it I’ll pay.’
    She giggled lightly.
    ‘What ? You think I can’t pay taxi