Page 10 of Pillow Talk (Rally Romance #1)

T he trip to Durban on Monday was a success.

An hour after Sen had dropped her off at home, Shona was on her way to catch up with Anni.

She was still wearing her black satin shift dress.

It was chic and her own creation. She’d ditched the heels she’d worn to her meeting with Felicity in favour of flat ballerina-style pumps.

Thankfully, Anni had chosen a bar other than shady Scotty’s. It was busy for a Monday night but she quickly spotted Anni sitting in a booth. Her beautiful friend with striking black eyes and straight black hair was sipping a margarita.

‘Sorry, I couldn’t wait. This heat!’ Anni jumped up and hugged her – squeezing her tight and rubbing her back.

‘I need details. Tell me everything,’ she said as she sat down again. Shona slipped into the seat opposite her, waved at a waiter and ordered a Cosmopolitan. What seemed like a few seconds later, her cocktail arrived and she sat back, waiting for the interrogation to begin.

‘They didn’t call? None of them?’

Shona shook her head.

‘Are you going to call them? What about Aruna?’

Shona sipped her drink before answering.

‘Aruna could have backed me up. But she won’t because it doesn’t benefit her.’

‘Okay, what about anyone from the shop?’

‘Nope, Anni. No one called. No one texted. No one visited. And I’m not going grovelling back,’ she said firmly.

Her friend nodded.

‘Of course you’re not going back. It’s taken you this long to finally stand up for yourself. Now tell me about the meeting.’

Shona relaxed and beamed.

‘Anni, it’s wonderful. Three more brides want my veils so that’s 15 altogether. These weddings are booked a year in advance, so at least I have time to get them done. They all paid a sizeable deposit. And I have several enquiries via social media.’ Shona told her excitedly.

Anni was practically jumping up and down in her seat.

‘We have to work on our marketing plan. We’re doing this, Sho. We really are… Oh look, there are Sam and Sen,’ Anni said, waving to the two men, who’d just walked into On Tap Bar.

Shona narrowed her eyes at her friend.

‘I’m sorry; I’m a newlywed. Of course I invited Sam.’

Sam and Sen appeared at their booth. Sam gave his wife a lingering kiss while Shona got a ‘hey’ from Sen.

She scooted in for Sen to sit next to her.

The bar was trendier than most eateries in Rally because it catered mostly to those who worked in Durban but wanted a drink or real Rally catch-up before heading home.

Chrome, black and matte wood gave it a sleek urban feel, and its prices matched.

If you wanted to pretend you were drinking in the city, you had to pay city prices.

The waiter was quick on her feet and a new round of drinks was ordered.

‘Sho, I heard about your big meeting. Congratulations, I’m so happy for you,’ Sam said.

Shona was already on her second Cosmo and was a little more generous with her emotions, so her eyes misted at Sam’s words.

‘What about this man you’ve been seeing?’ Anni asked.

Sen shifted next to her and brought his beer bottle to his lips. He tipped it back and it was the sexiest thing Shona had seen.

Damn Cosmopolitan!

Anni was waiting for an answer.

‘It’s nothing really.’

Sen turned his sharp eyes on her. ‘Is that true?’

Shona looked away.

‘Anni, there’s really nothing to tell.’

But her friend wasn’t going to give up.

‘Does he live in town? Why haven’t you told me about him? Is it leading to something or just hot sex?’

‘Anni! Leave Shona alone,’ her husband scolded.

Sen sat back with the biggest grin on his handsome face.

‘Sshhh. Shona knows she has to dish the deets. It’s the rules of our friendship…it’s how our sisterhood works,’ Anni replied.

Shona knew she had to give her something to keep her quiet.

‘Fine. Yes, he now lives in town. Why haven’t I told you about him? Because it’s new. Is it leading to something? I don’t know,’ Shona answered.

‘And the sex?’

No one expected that from Sen. All eyes were on him.

‘What? Was I not allowed to ask questions?’

‘Sho, you do not have to answer that,’ Sam instructed.

‘Either it’s mind-blowing or awful. That’s the only reason why she won’t tell us,’ Sen added.

Shona kicked him under the table.

‘Sen, what’s got into you? Since when are you interested in Shona’s sex life?’ Sam said, shaking his head.

Anni was silent, carefully watching the exchange.

‘Anni wanted to know so I’m just badgering the witness,’ Sen said and winked at Shona.

She kicked him under the table again. He didn’t even flinch.

‘Judging from her response, I’m going to say that she simply doesn’t know how to describe it,’ Sen added. His smug grin was bigger than she’d seen before.

Sam hit his own forehead. ‘I give up.’

‘It’s mind-blowing, okay!’

Sam shook his head. Anni blushed and Sen sat back and took another sip of his beer.

‘Mind-blowing, you say. How s—’

‘Sen, do not finish that sentence. I swear to God if you do I’ll have to knock your lights out,’ Sam said across the table.

‘Knock my lights out? What 1960s fight terminology is that?’

Anni and Shona began to laugh. Sam joined in and Sen bumped her shoulder.

‘Hi, beautiful,’ he whispered.

Anni and Sam were discussing ordering nachos, so they weren’t paying attention to them.

Shona suddenly felt shy and looked away.

‘Why is this place packed on a Monday?’ she asked.

‘There’s a team-building getaway for some city folk at Myers Lodge. I think they’re accountants or bankers,’ Sam answered.

Sen’s phone rang. ‘I’ve got to take this. Demanding client. I’m going to step outside,’ he told them and then he was gone.

‘Sho, let’s order our next drink at the bar for old time’s sake while Sam talks to MrKennedy, who is hankering for a word,’ Anni said gesturing towards the bar.

Shona slipped out of the booth and followed Anni. She wasn’t drunk or tipsy but she was definitely buzzing. She got onto the bar stool next to Anni.

‘Another Cosmo? Say yes. It’s not like you have work tomorrow. You’ve used that excuse far too many times,’ her friend said.

She didn’t even wait for Shona’s answer. She called the bartender over and ordered their drinks.

Shona looked around. Sen was still outside on the phone. MrKennedy was sitting in their booth, talking to Sam. And her next drink had been placed in front of her.

‘So, this new relationship, you know what you’re doing, right?’

She knew Anni was not going to leave it alone.

‘It’s not really a relationship, Ans. It’s casual.’

‘Just mind-blowing sex, right?’

Shona nodded while hiding behind her glass and taking a sip.

‘Then you should know that hot banker or accountant is checking you out,’ Anni said far too mischievously.

On cue, he walked towards them.

‘May I buy you ladies a drink?’

Anni jumped off her stool.

‘I’m just going to the ladies but you can buy my friend a drink,’ she said and was gone in a flash.

The tall, strikingly handsome man took her place.

‘Another Cosmo?’

Sen slipped his phone into his jacket pocket and walked back into the bar.

Lawrence Jackard was a jackass. He knew nothing about property law but he wanted to find a way to work around it.

It went against Sen’s principles and it would never fly at his father’s firm, so he would have to consider dropping him as a client.

When he got to the booth, Shona was missing. He sat down and Anni was watching him closely.

‘What’s up, Anni?’

‘Nothing. Just wondering if you’ll be as lucky as Shona tonight. She’s getting to know a very attractive accountant at the bar and there are so many beautiful city women here. Maybe you’ll meet someone too,’ she said sweetly.

Sam’s expression was one of confusion, while Sen’s eyes were on Shona flirting with some guy at the bar.

What the hell was she doing? He assumed they were exclusive. Could no strings attached be exclusive? He really didn’t know but right now he couldn’t stop his jaw from clenching and his eyes turning to steel.

Sam was watching the soccer on the screen above their table and Anni was watching him.

‘Fine, I think I’ll mingle,’ he said.

Anni, still smiling, nodded.

Sen walked towards the bar. Thankfully Anni and Sam’s seats were facing the other way.

He was not going to talk to anyone or try his luck .

He sat on a stool two seats away from Shona.

Shona was bored and it was not Jeremy’s fault. Sen was on her mind. He wasn’t sitting with Sam and Anni and she wondered if he was still outside on his call.

‘Did you ever want to move away from Rally? I get that the town is beautiful – quaint – but I’m sure it can be suffocating,’ Jeremy asked.

‘Suffocating is putting it mildly. Once upon a time I dreamed about living somewhere else,’ she replied.

Her tongue was loose after those boozy drinks.

‘What stopped you?’

‘Family obligation. Fear. A boy,’ she replied.

‘Come on, honey. You could have got around those things,’ Jeremy replied.

‘It’s not so easy. I’ve dealt with the family obligation. But the fear is still there,’ she said.

‘And the boy?’

‘That was a long time ago. We never stood a chance together,’ Shona said softly.

Jeremy leaned in. ‘Shona, I somehow think you’re going to be okay.’

‘Wow. Do you always chat women up this way? It’s actually quite comforting.’

Jeremy laughed. ‘It’s what I do. I’m a psychologist.’

Shona’s head jerked back. ‘A psychologist! I thought you were an accountant or banker.’

‘Nope, we’re all psychologists – here for a workshop on mental health in the workplace.’

‘Oh.’

Sen had heard enough. He’d known Shona all his life and had been in her bed more times than he could count but she’d revealed more to a total stranger than she ever had to him.

What boy? Hunter? Was she in a serious relationship during those years they’d lost touch?

He stood, didn’t look her way and walked back to Anni and Sam.

‘I think I’m going to head home,’ he said.

‘Oh, didn’t get lucky then?’

‘I have some work to do and an early start tomorrow. I’ll see you guys soon.’

‘You’re not going to say goodbye to Sho?’

Anni was really getting on his nerves this evening.

‘I don’t want to interrupt,’ he replied, trying to keep his tone light.

‘Yeah, they look pretty cosy,’ Anni said.

Sen’s nostrils flared. He didn’t look at the bar.

‘Bye guys,’ he said and walked off.

Shona returned to the booth and sat down.

‘I have just been analysed. Apparently, I fear change and commitment,’ she announced.

‘What are you talking about?’

‘They’re psychologists, Anni. All of them.’

Shona looked around. ‘Where’s Sen?’

‘He’s gone home.’

‘Really?’

Anni sat back and smiled.

‘Really.’

Shona pretended that she wasn’t bothered by it. Sen hadn’t even said goodbye.

‘I think we should call it a night too,’ Sam said.

Anni and Shona nodded and got up to leave. Sam and Anni gave her a ride home, where she collapsed on her bed in her satin dress and dreamed about the boy she once loved.