Quick to Love

Chapter 6

The restaurant is bustling with everyone getting dinner in before their big night out so we find a table again on the terrace as it's such a lovely warm night. The air envelopes me like a warm hug and it makes me think about Austin. I start to think about what it would feel like if he hugged me. I really want dinner to be over with so I can get to the bar. My attention span for anything but Austin is non existent at the moment.

Sensing my thoughts Violet asks me what I am thinking about.

I don't want to seem like I am a crazy obsessed woman but my friends know me too well.

"Do you think he will be there?" I ask them both expectantly.

"Going by the way he looked at you today, I would bet my life on it" Charlie says positively.

I beam, hoping that it's true.

We go get our food and I proceed to stare at my plate. I can't even think about eating, my insides are churning like a washing machine. I pick at the food for the duration of dinner. I know it's a bad idea not to eat much. Alcohol on an empty stomach does not mix but I just can't bring myself to put the fork to my lips.

After what seems like an eternity, Charlie and Violet finally finish their dinner.

"Shall we go?" I asked excited trying to rush them along.

"Chill out Syd" Charlie says trying to calm me down. "It's only nine thirty, I'm pretty sure no one will be at the bar yet!"

"Sorry, you know me. No attention span and all that" I laugh.

I hate waiting for things. Once again the control freak in me rears it's ugly head. I have this need to get to that bar immediately to see if he's going to be there. I know realistically he won't be there yet. He's a bloke. They never turn up on time or rush to get places unless it's to go watch a football match. I really hope he turns up. My no man holiday rule has been well and truly thrown out of the window.

We wander over to the lift and press the button to call it down. The lift seems to take about ten years and when the silver doors finally slide open a couple walk out giggling and holding hands. A pang of jealousy washes over me. I'm always wishing that it was me. I live in such a dream world but life never seems go the way I want it to. I'm like Bridget Jones minus the smoking, I am so unlucky in love and can never find a guy willing to stick around for the long haul. I am excited about hopefully seeing Austin but deep down I know that if this is something, it's just another holiday romance where nothing will come out of it. I just for once want to find someone who likes me enough to spend longer than seven days with me.

I get pulled out of my thoughts by the ding of the lift. We have reached the ninth floor and we walk out to the bar. The night is still warm and the sky is a beautiful pink as the sun starts to set over the Island. I love the feel of a warm night on my skin. It always reminds me of when I was five years old and my family went to the Bahamas. I can still remember the warm evenings on the beach.

We make our way to the bar. It overlooks the sea and as it's a clear night you can see for miles.

"What are we having then?" Violet asks.

"How about Pornstar Martini's?" Charlie and I say at the same time. It's our favourite drink and we always choose it if its on the menu.

Violet orders three cocktails and the barman gestures for us to sit at a table and he will bring them over when they are ready.

We sashay over to the nearest high table and each grab a seat. Luckily we got to the bar early so we don't have to fight over a table. I can imagine later this place will be rammed with men and women done up to the nines.

Our drinks arrive and we each grab a glass. I motion for them to raise their glasses for a toast.

"Cheers guys! Thanks for putting up with my tangled love life" I joke.

They both laugh and our glasses meet with a clink. We all take a sip at the same time. The martini goes down like liquid gold. It tastes sweet and fruity just how I like it. I chase it down with the Prosecco shot.

We start to gossip about people we know at home when out of the corner of my eye I see people at the bar. I hope it's Austin but when I turn to look it's just a group of young girls. I feel deflated.

I can hear Charlie start moaning about her last audition. I bring myself back to the conversation. "I thought it went really well. When I read through the script, the casting directors looked really pleased and I got such positive feedback. Then I get the rejection"

She looks so dejected and it makes me angry in side. She had a regular job on an english soap but she got killed off last year. Since then she hasn't been able to get her part and she's such a good actor.

I try to placate her. "You will find the right job Charlie. Just perseverance. The entertainment business is cut throat. Don't give up. I truly believe the right role is around the corner" I give her arm a squeeze and give her my most positive smile.

A couple of cocktails later and Austin still hasn't arrived. I am starting to think he isn't going to turn up. I really got the feeling that he liked me but surely if that were true he would have turned up by now? I look at my watch and it tells me it is eleven o'clock. We have been so engrossed in Charlie's many audition stories that I didn't notice two hours passing.

He's not coming.

I resign myself to the fact. Maybe we should leave. It's totally sad of me to be sitting here waiting for a man I don't even know. I should be enjoying the quality time with my best friends not hoping a random guy will turn up.

"Shall we go?" I suggest. They look at me with pity in their eyes.

"I don't mind" Vi says.

"I am happy to stay a little longer" Charlie adds cheerfully.

I stand up and collect my bag to indicate that we should go. There's no point waiting around for someone who isn't going to turn up.

Just as I turn to leave the table I see the one gorgeous face I thought I wouldn't walk towards me.

Austin, he's here. I can't believe it. My heart flutters a little at the sight of him. He strides towards us with a big grin on his face and I feel like I'm in heaven.