Page 113 of Big Sexy Love
I can’t hear what they’re saying over the sound of the shit music but they are pointing and gesturingdramatically.
Suddenly a bunch of other people appear at the barriers, peering down at me inshock.
One of them throws down a rope ladder so that it hangs over the side of the boat. With the last of my energy, I swim towards it andclingon.
Well, that was aclosecall.
* * *
After one ofChuck’s staff takes me below deck to shower off the river water, I dress in a soft white robe monogrammed with CA initials, and wait in Chuck’s private quarters, a sumptuous room decorated in burgundyandgold.
I’m waiting for fifteen minutes before the door opens and Chuck strides in. Woah. He is ridiculously, preposterously good-looking. I had wondered if, in the years since Anders’ college picture was taken, Chuck might have aged like the rest of us humans. But nope. He still looks like a twenty-one-year-old god. He’s wearing a black party tuxedo and his hair is dark, glossy and slicked to the side like Don Draper inMad Men. He has a set of perfect white teeth, a tanned healthy face and gorgeous long-lashed brown eyes that put George Clooney’s toshame.
‘Hello!’ I say, standing up and immediately handing him Birdie’s letter, which, having been zipped tightly in the inside pocket of my waterproof bumbag is perfectly intact. Ha! Everyone who laughed at my bumbag can suck it! It totally savedtheday!
‘That was quite a risky move out there, don’t you think?’ Chuck says as he sits formally on an armchair opposite me and peers at the envelope. He doesn’t even sayhello!
‘Um, well. I had to get this lettertoyou.’
‘I see. You’ve certainly gone to greatlengths.’
‘Birdie is very important to me,’ I tell him. ‘I promised her I’d give you that letter. You’ve been so hard to find! I was starting to think you didn’t exist for a momentthere.’
‘I like to live off the grid,’ Chuck sniffs, his eyes running over my damp face. ‘I found myself being locked into a world of screens and social media and the alpha world of investment banking. It wassuffocating. It almost ruined myrelationship.’
His relationship? Chuck is in a relationship? Huh. I suppose a part of me had been secretly hoping he’d read Birdie’s letter and decide that she was his Big Sexy Love too. That he’d fly back to England with me to reunite with hissweetheart.
Iguessnot.
Chuck leans back into his chair and crosses his legs. ‘I’m lucky enough to be able to travel the world. I have real adventures rather than watching those of other people play out on Instagram and Facebook. I chose to take it the opportunities my wealth has given to me. To privately enjoy my life withWarner.’
Warner? I screw up my face. Why do I knowthatname?
Wait. Warner? Anders’ college room-mateWarners?
‘Redheaded Warner?’ Isplutter.
Chuck nods, frowning. ‘Youknowhim?’
Wow. Chuck isgay. All this time, Anders thought that they left him out because they disliked him, when really it was because they were actuallytogether?
‘I know Anders von Preen. I believe you and Warner were at collegewithhim?’
Chuck curls his lip a little. ‘Von Preen? Wow, that’s certainly a blast from the past. Anders von Preen!Creepyguy.’
‘Actually he’s a really lovely talented guy,’ I snip. ‘With a great sense of style and a kindheart.’
I cover an irritated huff. Chuck Allen is… not what Iexpected.
‘Why don’t you open the letter!’ I say quickly. ‘That’s why I’m here,afterall!’
Chuck nods. ‘Yes. Yes, allrightthen.’
I watch, wide-eyed, as he slowly peels open the envelope, pulling out sheets of thick, expensive-lookingpaper.
I smile to myself as he unfolds the paper and starts to read. I can’t believe he’s here! I found him! He’s here and he’s actually,finallyreading Birdie’s letter! I wonder whatitsays!
Then Chuck’s face turns from cool and serene to absolutely furious. His tanned cheeks flush beetroot red and he stands up from his chair withagasp.
