Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 69621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Maybe the buzz of being in public has done something to him. Either way, he deserves his proposal, and I’m sure Josh feels the same, so I fold the proposal letter up and slip it back in the envelope. It goes in my clutch, not in his waiting hand.
“I’m doing it,” I tell him.
His shoulders drop. “You really don’t have to.”
“I know that. But I’m doing it anyway. Just give me the instructions when it’s time.”
Heath’s gaze switches to Josh. “How about you? How do you feel?”
Josh is so chill as he takes a sip of his cocktail.
“Like I said, it’ll be cool. An experience.”
“I hope so,” Heath says, and calls over the server for the bill.
I’ve been feeling anonymous in Cannes, largely in the cocoon of Heath’s amazing villa, but I feel the attention a lot more as we leave the restaurant, as though the bubble has been burst. I noticed Heath getting stares, whispers and wide eyes on the way in, sure, but I’m far more aware of them now. I feel on display myself along with him as I walk at his side, and I’m not sure I like the sensation. Maybe it’s the proposal lying ahead… or maybe it’s just how it is.
For me, it’s just one night. For him, he’s in the spotlight, everywhere he goes.
It’s not just Heath Mason people are looking at as we walk from Café Belle Époque to a swanky club around the corner. They are looking at me and Josh, too. Examining us. I grip my boyfriend’s hand and put a big grin on my face, trying to live up to the status of the celebrity masterpiece at our side, and I get it. I do.
I finally feel what it must be like for him, everywhere he goes.
Women stare at me in particular, looking me up and down before whispering and giggling. Judging. Gossiping. I dunno. It brings back just a touch of my self-consciousness from when I was a nobody, living in London squalor while Connor took the spotlight on stage. I never felt good enough. Worthy enough. Deserving enough.
But things are very, very different now.
I’m a very, very different woman to the sad girl I used to be. I am good enough. I am worthy enough. And I always will be – walking at the side of Heath Mason or not.
It’s an honour to be at the side of a man so incredible as him AND at the side of a man so incredible as Josh. My smile notches up, naturally, because I am not the old Ella anymore. I glow with pride from deep within.
Fuck anyone who wants to shoot any of us down. They can fuck right off.
“Are you alright?” Heath asks, pulling me to the side when we reach the entrance to Le Mirage – one of the swankiest clubs in the whole of Cannes.
I laugh, resisting the urge to stroke his cheek. “I should be asking you that question, not the other way around.”
Josh still has my hand, and squeezes tight.
“We’re all alright, Heath. Stop worrying and start enjoying things. You got this. We all have.”
The sparkle in Heath’s eyes lights up my whole world.
“I’ve been enjoying this more than you could ever imagine. It’s one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made.”
Josh chuckles. “See if you’re still saying that at the end of the night.” Heath’s eyes widen until Josh pats him on the back. “Joke. It’s gonna be cool. It’s all gonna be real fucking great, just feel that vibe. It’s rocking.”
I can feel the vibe. The thump of the bass booming loud. The cocktails have gone to my head, and my feet are itching to dance in my stilettos. My whole body is screaming for more, more, more. I don’t ever want the night to end.
The filthy proposal will only be a part of it.
One I’m going to be proud of.
We don’t slip into the club unnoticed. One of the bouncers clocks Heath in an instant, and the rail is opened for us, letting us straight inside. We’re led upstairs to the VIP balcony, and a server comes over to us especially, seeking us out in the crowd.
Heath orders more swanky cocktails. Passionfruit and strawberry something this time. Really fucking nice, whatever they are. I wouldn’t want to see the price tag on these. He must have spent thousands in the restaurant already.
We dance together in a little trio, with our glasses in the air, revelling in the energy around us. The dim lighting makes it easier for the anonymity to swallow us back up into its safety net – the spotlights all focused downstairs.
I make sure that my hands are all over Josh, not Heath. We don’t want any rumours flying around he’ll have to contend with.
I’m just a girl out with her boyfriend, both of us friends with Heath Mason and nothing more.