Close To You: Part 1 (5 page)

Hunter was special, she knew that much. And someone like that, it was worth the wait.

Or so she hoped.

He stepped away from her, still holding her hand. Then her fingertips. Then he was walking back to the car, glancing back at her, a smile on his face.

Scarlet went inside, called the lift and bit her bottom lip in thought.

The offer had blown her out of the water. What should she do?

For the first time in her life she didn't have a clue. Her gut told her to be cautious. She didn't know the guy, not really. But her heart said different. The way it had fluttered in her chest as he kissed her goodbye.

11.

The next day Scarlet picked up dinner from the store, charging it all to her card. When she got home, she texted James to see if he was at home.

Scarlet:
Are you in? Can you call me? X

James:
No I'm at work. Sup?

Scarlet:
I feel like I need to talk.

             
             
James:
Sorry. Maybe I can call you when I finish tonight.

Scarlet:
No it's ok. Don't worry. Just being silly X

             
             
James:
Tell me XO

Scarlet:
Hunter wants me to go away with him.

James:
Don't do it! What are you nuts?

Scarlet:
It was pretty genuine. I guess it'll get me away from here for a while.

James:
Don't rush into anything. Wait for me to finish work. I'll call you. I don't trust this guy.

Scarlet:
Don't be so judgemental! He's the real deal. Besides, what else do I have going for me at the moment?

James:
I am your friend. Please don't do it. It's too weird.

Scarlet:
I'll talk to you later. Maybe I need to think about it. X

James:
Yes! Think about it! I'll call you later!!!

Scarlet put her phone down on the side and ran her fingers through her hair. She looked up at the ceiling, her mind racing.

* * *

When James called her phone later that night, she didn't answer. She'd put it on silent and gone to bed. But it wouldn't matter what he said anyway, as she'd already made up her mind. The suitcase was already packed at the end of her bed, her passport sitting on top.

Earlier that evening a courier hand delivered a manila envelope to her apartment. She thanked the courier, put the latch on the door and opened the envelope.

Inside was a handwritten note and a plane ticket. It was for an outgoing flight to Tahiti at five the following morning. She'd packed her best
clothes, along with anything she thought she might need, then gone straight to bed.

The note was still on the side, where she'd left it, tucked beneath a candle jar.

It read:

Dear Scarlet,

                            I hope you'll accept my invitation to join me, in friendship, on my short vacation to Bora Bora. I'm taking a break before hitting Europe for business. I'd much appreciate your companionship. I'll be waiting there for you. Maybe you'll walk along the beach with me once again.

Yours, JH.

12.

She pulled the suitcase along behind her, took one last look at the insides of her dingy apartment and walked out, slamming the door behind her.

With the few
pounds she had, she caught a cab to the airport. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach at the thought of what she was doing, but she found the nerve to hand over her ticket and luggage and still appear to be cool and collected.

It was only then she noticed her ticket was for FIRST CLASS.

Of course it was.

The receptionist treated her like royalty, and the whole process of checking in was painless and swift. Amazing what money could do.

Scarlet had the sense to leave her phone behind. She knew she'd only end up texting James back and forth, justifying her decision to him. She didn't need it.

Now it's time for me to have fun,
she thought.
Time for me to cut a break for once.

"This way, Ma'am," the receptionist said, leading the way. Scarlet smiled and followed her through the security arch.

She was about to embark on a flight to paradise. And her dream man was there waiting for her. She pictured him on a soft white beach, wearing only shorts, an ice cold cocktail in his hand. Scarlet would join him there soon. The blue water lapping gently against the sand as they kissed. Hunter's eyes.

It was a dream.

One she didn't want to wake from just yet.

Scarlet thanked the airline staff as she got onto the plane and took her seat in first class. She looked out the window at the runway. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach from nerves and excitement.

"Are you okay, Miss?" the flight attendant asked her.

"Yes," Scarlet said. She couldn't help but smile. She'd never felt so happy. "Yes I think I am."

Fifteen minutes later, the plane lifted into the air . . .

CLOSE TO YOU

Continues With

PART 2

~

About Ton
i Lee

Close To You is Toni Lee's first romantic/erotic serial, a story told over six parts.

Toni lives in Sussex, in the UK. She enjoys reading, writing and long walks on the beach with her dog, Bailey.

Support Independent Publishing and leave reviews for the books you enjoy!