for, Teddy,” a grinning Poppy agreed. “But you decide, it’s about you tonight after all.”
I replied with an exuberant laugh, “Okay, Rockpool it is. Girls, time to get all dolled-up!”
Entering the restaurant in high spirits, a towering young waiter with slicked-back butter blond hair and a disarming smile greeted us. Recognition glimmered in brilliantly emerald green eyes, his fixated stare making my heart skip anxiously. To my relief, he remained professional and instead queried, “A table for four?”
We all nodded in unison. He led us to a table with views of the open kitchen where delicious smells wafted making our mouths water and our lips curve upwards in delight as the loud voice of the head chef barked orders across the chaotic space to his staff.
In Dominique’s case, the food wasn’t the only reason. Brazenly flirting, her hungry gaze remained firmly planted on the waiter’s rounded behind and broad back until we reached the table.
“You’re shameless,” Scarlett murmured sliding onto a seat with Dom flopping beside her.
Her slim shoulders shrugged in her usual carefree manner. “Quite possibly.”
“My name is Leon, and I shall be your waiter for the evening.” He gave a friendly smile, his deeply dimpled cheeks flashing at us. “Might I suggest a drink to start?”
“Thank you, Leon,” I murmured taking a menu from his outstretched hand. “We’ll have a carafe of Domaine de l’Arlot Clos des Forêts Saint Georges 1er Cru to start please,” I rattled off in fluent French, surprising even myself. Taking French lessons had indeed paid off. I might learn Italian next.
“Excellent choice, ma’am.”
“Don’t panic girls; I’m paying,” I mused to three very shocked grown women. “Close your mouths, you all look like codfish.”
Poppy giggled as our dashing waiter walked away. “Ma’am?”
Wrinkling my nose at the old-fashioned notion, I leaned my back against the soft leather, checking out my surrounds for any unwelcome visitors. Since my encounter in the carpark, it had left me paranoid, and rightfully so.
Leon returned a few minutes later pouring the wine from a crystal decanter into four glasses, his blended scent of citrus and musk distracting me from my thoughts momentarily.
Sipping my wine, I coquettishly smiled, thanking him. He winked and walked away.
Grasping my glass, I caught my sister’s curious gaze eyeing me suspiciously. “What?”
“Whatcha looking at, sis?”
The corners of my mouth twitched. “Only the view.” I wasn’t lying, well, not exactly.
Scarlett’s eyes rolled, something she did habitually. “Leave work at the office for a change; you’re out celebrating!”
I shrugged and lifted the glass back to my lips, taking another generous sip. “Oh, you know me, I can’t help myself.” Which in truth, I couldn’t. My gaze slid across the restaurant floor, earning yet another eye roll.
The five-star restaurant owned by world-renowned chef Neil Perry was bustling. Not that it surprised me; it was quite the place to eat. In addition to the menu, the interior was just as appealing. Dark timbers, stone, and steel dominated the space. Adding softness and colour were the deep russet leather chairs, bright red bench seats and delicately draping curtains in doorways. The dimly lit downlights tucked under a slatted timber ceiling, provided the textbook ambience for a flawless evening.
In my case, it had presented the ideal distraction, one that I undoubtedly needed.
“I’m positively stuffed,” Scarlett moaned, pushing her empty plate away. “I’ll have to work out twice as hard tomorrow.”
My brows shot up. With bright electric blue eyes and fair skin, Scarlett had always turned heads, earning herself quite the stream of lustful admirers over the years. “Do you even know what exercise is, ‘Miss I can eat whatever I want and not put on any weight.’ Most people are envious of your petite and slender figure,” I breathlessly mocked. I loved teasing my sister, and without fail, I’d always get a bite.
She flicked her long glossy copper tresses over one petite shoulder. “I know I’m gorgeous.”
Lifting the wine glass to my lips, I snorted. “Love yourself much, Scars?”
“Hm, I do. A lot.”
Chapter Two
ON RETURN TO the house, everyone had immediately retreated to their beds, passing out the moment their heads hit the pillow. And unbeknownst to any of them, I had taken advantage of their drunken state and quietly slipped out again only to reappear hours later, my body weary, but satisfactorily worn out.
Flopping heavily onto the soft mattress, I yawned and cuddled into one of the many, probably too many, soft pillows on my bed. My eyelids drooped heavily, and eventually, I gave in to the tiredness, only to have my sleep haunted by terrifying dreams.
A shadowy figure lurked in the dark, his rough whisper repeatedly calling out my name. My legs shifted restlessly beneath the blankets as I attempted to run away from him. It was pointless, lead-filled feet held me down. He closed in, roughly grabbing me from behind. I had to face him — fear engulfing me as I slowly twisted. Gleaming dark eyes menacingly stared back at me. His lips were moving as he whispered my name.
“Teddy…”
I let out an anguished scream and jolted upwards. My dream felt real. It was as if he was physically here, in my bedroom.
Sighing despairingly, my dampened hands pressed against an even sweatier face. Chilling nightmares that had once disappeared thanks to a decently lived life had now returned. I frowned, wondering if the eerie encounter was to blame.
That aside, I darted my blurry gaze towards the clock on the bedside table, oh just great. In exasperation, my hand reached over flicking off the alarm button, an hour before the scheduled time. I might as well be proactive. If only my legs would cooperate. Looking at the state of my twisted sheets, I made them.
Throwing back the covers, I slid out of bed and staggered into the walk-in-robe in search of a pair of gym pants and my hot pink joggers. A run always alleviated the worries.
Each pounding step sprinted over the footpath was perfectly timed with each exhaling breath as The Frays, Love Don’t Die blasted in my ears. They were my muse, and the overhead street lamps were my guide, taking me from the dark and into the light.
I ran until I hit Gardner Reserve, a family orientated park a few blocks from my house and paused at a timber bench to stretch my burning limbs. I had always loved this park. With its oversized elms littering the billowing garden beds along a weaving crushed granite pathway, their full leafed branches created a canopy, keeping play equipment and picnic tables cool enough for use throughout the warm summer months. Currently, the trees were still bare, giving way to the dappled light of the rising sun peeking through, indicative of the beautiful day we had ahead of us. I flicked my wrist and checked my Fitbit noting it was time to start heading back. Surprisingly though, I felt energised, even after a terrible night’s sleep and ran home barely exerting myself in the process. My puffing minimal as I walked through the house.
The heavenly smell of coffee and toast wafted under my nose, hitting my empty stomach with a thud. Loud sounds coming out of Scarlett’s mouth from the kitchen also hit me. Surely not. It was far too early for that amount of noise from one person.
“Morning all.” I waved, breathlessly striding past the island to the fridge. Reaching in to retrieve the bottle of pineapple juice, I closed the door and spun around. My quizzical gaze met gaping stares. “You may want to be careful leaving your mouths wide open like that or flies might think it’s their new home,” I said, turning back to grab a tall glass from the overhead cupboard, and setting it down on the countertop in front of them.
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