Chasing Beautiful (Chasing Series #1) (15 page)

“I don’t know. She never said. She’s been waiting for twenty minutes. You should go and ask her yourself. Whatev
er it is she came here for—be strong.” Luce gave me a hug and squeezed me tightly.

“Right, I should go
talk to her. Thanks for the warning.” My hand sought out hers and gently squeezed it before I left and strolled towards the living room to find Marie.

My hands were clammy and I rubbed
them on my jeans as I entered the living room.

I found Marie
gracefully sitting on the couch, drinking tea as she watched the news on the television. I was relieved that Luce had taken care of her and had made her feel comfortable.

“Marie?”

“Sienna, dear, how are you? It’s so good to see you again. I was a little miffed that you didn’t come to see me when you went back home. I’ve missed you.”

Oh, my
. That just made me teary and wobbly.

I wanted to see her, but the thought of Kyle stopped me. I didn’t know how he felt
about me going behind his back and visiting his mother.

“I’m sorry. I meant to see you, but circumstances made it difficult for me. I’ve missed you too
.”

She
stood in front of me and gave me a loving hug, “I hope you’re doing okay, Sienna?” She eyed me with concern.

“I’m fine, i
s everything okay? You’re visiting London?” I cautiously asked her.

I needed to know the purpose of her visit.

Marie started to sit down and I sat across from her on the other couch. I needed as much distance between us as possible because it just had to be that way from now on. As much as I like Marie, she’s still Kyle’s mother and she will look out for her son, first and foremost.

“S
ienna, let me explain my visit, and I hope that you will let me finish before you voice your thoughts. Is that okay with you, dear?”

I nodded and said yes, eager for her to get on.

“I know it’s been extremely tough for you both— since you moved here. I saw his despair when you left. It tore my heart to pieces to see him go through something like that—but he somewhat survived that hurdle and started to live life again. But since the moment he saw you back home, he’s been spiraling out of control— and I need to intervene before things really get out of hand— and he ends up dead somewhere.”

I gasped.
Kyle? Why do you do this to yourself?

“
A few days ago, I caught him passed out in the bathroom with lines of cocaine next to him. I was hysterical with worry and so I called Chris, panicking—we discussed what we needed do to help our child cope with his problems. We sat Kyle down the next day, after he recovered from his binging,” she gently wiped a tear that escaped her teary eyes. “We asked him what was going through his head and told him how negligent he was with his actions. He didn’t talk much—as expected— but laid out essential facts and how he felt like ‘he’s dying inside’. I just wish he would’ve spoke to me about it. He chose to bottle it all in.

“
Instead of putting him in rehab like most people do, Chris and I agree that it would be best to send him here. To be around you again—you gave him perspective, dear. But most of all, my son listens to you. He’ll be assigned to scout and supervise the UK branch and at the same time, he can try to see you and make amends. Even if you two don’t get back together, you kids should remain friends. You darlings were inseparable, and it’s painful to see a long standing friendship fall apart.

“
Sienna, I know this is asking a lot of you, but I’m asking you a favor, for the first time, to please help my son get better. I’m not sure if this will help, but I feel that this all started with you. I have no doubt in my heart that you can help him get better— if he saw you again. He always listens to you. He loves you.”

I
was speechless, Kyle coming and living here? Helping him get better?

Tha
t’s a big responsibility! How the heck will I handle that? I’m freaked out! So much for cleaning out my closet of emotional baggage!

It
was going to drive me mental.

“Marie—how do I even begin? That was a lot to take in.
Has Kyle agreed to this? Does he know? When is he coming anyway?”

“He does and he’s arriving tomorrow afternoon,” she said calmly.

I stared at her in shock, her statement sinking in.

Holy fuck! Kyle will be here tomorrow? What the hell am I going to do? What about Blake? He’ll
either go ballistic or understand. Who knows?    

This
was all so frustrating. Marie is precious and all she’s only ever been kind to me since I moved in with the Brown’s.

I
couldn’t let her down without putting up an effort.

“Alright, I can try. I’m not making promises, but I’ll try”

“Oh! Sienna! Thank you! This means so much to Chris and me. Thank you! Kyle will be so happy!”

I don’t know about making Kyle happy, but I’ll be a friend. He certainly needs
to redirect his goals. Deep down, I know I can’t see someone so dear to me spiral out of control. It’s Kyle and he needs me, his best friend, not the lover. And I will be there for him.

Marie stood up and took something out of her purse. She sat next to me and handed me a key.

“Here is the apartment key. He’ll be staying in the company house in Hampstead. Here’s the address and my phone number, just in case you need to call me. Never hesitate to call me, dear
. I’m here for you too
. I’m just helping Kyle settle in the apartment and I will be leaving Sunday morning. I was hoping we could all grab lunch or dinner Saturday? Would that be okay?”

“Yeah, that’s fine, Marie
.” 
Maybe?

“Thank you again, Sienna. I’ll see you in
a couple of days. Have a good night, dear,” I nodded as she stood up to leave.

I guided her to the door in a daze.

After she left, I scurried to my room. My palm was holding Kyle’s apartment key, a business card with Marie’s information and the address of the apartment. I looked down and stared at it, blankly.

Someone knocked and I looked up as the door
slightly opened.

“Can I come in?”

“Luce! Kyle is going to live here for a while—in London. They sent him here. They think I can help him get better,” my voice small, but obviously freaked out.

“Are you okay with that? Will you be able to help him
without getting too attached?” her blue eyes studied me as she pulled back a strand of her blonde hair and tucked it behind her ear.

“I don’t know. We
’ll just have to wait and see, I guess.”

She nodded and sat next to me on the bed
. “I sort of heard the conversation—I was in the kitchen—I didn’t mean to pry. But love, Kyle needs your help—you just have to be the bigger person and set aside any ill feelings for him. This could be tough—but you’re the bravest woman I know—whatever happens, never think that you don’t have anyone to speak to. I’m here for you,
always
.”

I gave her a hug and than
ked her for all her support. She got up to leave me with my daunting thoughts.

It’ll be fine
, convincing myself.

I was beyond exhausted as I made my way to the kitchen to make a sandwich
for dinner.

I didn’t want to think anymore.
I’d think about my problems tomorrow.

When I went to bed,
I slept like a log. I had no dreams, no interference.

I was
contemplating what to wear for my date with Blake when I received a text message.

Kyle Matthews
: I’m here. I’ll see you tomorrow.

I sighed.

Way to dampen my mood for my date tonight, Kyle!

My heart
was beating erratically against my chest. I had never been in this position where I have to deal with an ex while starting to see someone new. This was all so new to me and it was driving me insane.
Should I tell Blake? I really should.
Sooner or later Lucy might mention it to both of the guys and I’d be grilled for information. I knew back in the day they were all curious about him and knowing how Lucy is, she’d probably invite him over for dinner to bond with the guys. I cringed at the thought.
God, please, no
. That would be an epic disaster. Blake and Kyle in the same room would be chaos.

Browsing through my closet, I chose an embroidered black lace
, short cocktail dress and paired that with my classic red, Prada gladiator platform heels. I artfully pinned my hair up and minimized my eye shadow. I was heavy on mascara and my engine-red rouge lipstick. Spritzing my favorite perfume, my phone buzzed as if on cue. It was Blake letting me know that he was downstairs waiting for me. Grabbing my purse, I headed downstairs to meet him.

Coming out of the elevator, I could see Blake leaning lazily
against his Aston Martin in a sharp, black suit against a white dress shirt. He looked dashing, sexy and still blindingly sinful. I felt lightheaded all of a sudden. I came out of the building as I heard him whistle loudly, clearly praising my look.

Boy, how I’ve missed him
. I had forgotten how he makes my heart pitter-patter like crazy. I was breathless. I went over to him as he pulled my hand and twirled me around with full appraisal.

I smiled like an idiot
. “Like it?”

“Like it? I love it, poppet! You look ravishing! That
dress certainly had you in mind.” Blake said against my lips before he kissed me tenderly. I simply melted. A good whiff of his scent sent my body into a lustful frenzy.
Relax stupid body!

“I’ve missed you, my sweet
.”

“Missed you too, Blake.
” I gazed back, my emotions all over the place. I felt so much for him.

Things I
couldn’t explain. I swallowed hard.

“Come
on, I don’t want us to be late for our reservation.”

Blak
e took me to OXO Tower Restaurant and Brasserie on South Bank that overlooked the River Thames. It was al fresco since it was still summer time and I relished the warm atmosphere around me. I had never been there before and the view was beautiful, even more so since I was sitting directly across from it.

I grinned at him.

He smiled back, eyes glittering in the night. “What do you want to drink? Champagne?”

“I think I’ll have
a watermelon martini tonight.”

“I’ll o
rder us a bottle of red as well.” Blake concluded as he browsed through the menu. He does love his red wines.

Our waiter came and
took our order. I let Blake decide what to order for my entrée and he happily obliged. With our drinks in hand, I sipped an ample amount of my martini. I closed my eyes and savored the taste. Hell, it was glorious. The decadent drink had just the right amount of vodka, zest and freshly squashed watermelon juice. Delicious!

“
Do you always close your eyes when you revel and relish something you like—food, alcohol,
sex perhaps?
” Blake murmured in a low husky voice.

It was his fuck me voice.
Gah! Why are my nipples hardening?

My eyes quickly snapped open.
Blake was relaxed against his chair with his hand on the stem of his wine glass, his dynamic eyes burning at me.
Damn it, those eyes will be the death of me. I swear it!

Does he know how
fascinating he looks? How every single thing he does makes him ever more desirable? Does he notice the other women staring at him longingly? Because I fucking do and I don’t like it one bit—especially when we’re out on a date.

Will I ever
manage to get used to his dark beauty? I wish.

Clearing my throat,
I murmured, “Yes, savoring them makes you appreciate all the good things in life.” The coy smile I gave him made him smolder.