On and Off the Track

T H I R T Y.

15th June

I spent the day meeting with upcoming brands and running around Monaco doing a million and one errands. I had never been happier to slump down on the beach with Mila. We laid out a blanket and were having a picnic as the sun set over the sea. Glass of white wine in one hand and my right casually picking at the assortment of cheese and picky food we brought. I was sitting cross-legged as Mila was laying down, staring up at the sky, which was a perfect baby pink colour. The consistent swash of the waves as they crashed into the golden sand was the only thing we could hear for miles. Mila and I found this perfect little strip of sand a couple of years ago and have kept it our little secret since. I turned over to play some chill music on the speaker I brought. We laid in silence, both of us completely content with each other's presences. With a sigh of relaxation, as I laid down beside her, my hands resting on my stomach. I knew I would have to tell her about me and Charles sooner rather than later, I just was worried how she would react. She was never the biggest fan of his, and I knew she wouldn't be too pleased that we are something now. I still don't really know what we are. I picked at the corner of my nails as I prepared myself to speak. I jumped as Mila spoke before me.
"You okay, you look very deep in thought" she said concerned, I remained looking up at the sky.
"Yeah, just thinking" I replied quietly, my voice croaky from not speaking for a while
"About?" she sat up in intrigue, I followed, sitting up with her, I squirmed as I prepped what to say. Her face became more worried. "You know you can tell me anything, B. I won't be annoyed" I could tell she already knew what I was thinking about. Being friends for this long with had developed some sort of telepathy.
"Yeah of course I know that. Well... Me and Charles are seeing each other'' I blurted the words out. Just like ripping off a band aid. I tensed my face for a reaction, which was obviously unnecessary, as Mila simply smiled as went back to lying down. "No comment?" I questioned. She pulled her sunglasses down from her forehead over her eyes.
"I am happy for you honestly, you know my feelings about him. But you know him better than I do, so if you trust him, I trust you." I was expecting more, honestly, this was Mila. Mila was never afraid to say exactly what she was thinking and would never back down from it. This was Mila, who would happily tell anyone what she was thinking at any given moment. But she didn't, not today.
"Ok" I said quickly, barely audible. I scrunch my forehead and I went back down to lying beside her. I was confused, I'm not going to lie, but it was a better response than I could have imagined. "Any boys in the life of Mila" I asked, lightening the mood. From the corner of my eye, I could see the corner of her lips turn up in response. "Oh my god, there is. Spill now" she hid her face as she laughed. Removing them slightly as she turned to face me, her cheeks obviously rosey.
"There is someone, but it's so early I don't want to say yet. I will tell you as soon as it becomes more serious" my jaw dropped in offence. This was the first time mila didn't tell me this stuff. I mean she used to tell me about the boys she only looked at for more than 2 seconds in the supermarket and how she had already planned their wedding. She must really like him if she didn't want to jinx it and tell me.
"Okay, but just so you know, I will find out who he is. Mark my word" I joked.
"Oh , I do not doubt that," we laughed and spent the rest of the evening chatting about everything and nothing all at the same time. I picked myself off the sand at around 9pm and strolled back to my car to go home.

The next day...
I was meeting Elvire for coffee and a catch up. She was in the city for a couple of hours and I was grateful to her for offering up the 30 minutes she had free to me. I placed my bag down as I sat down in a coffee shop right of the main avenue. I tapped my foot on the table leg and I waited patiently for her to arrive. I propped my head up as I heard her call out my name from behind me. I stood up to greet her before sitting back down again. Elvire looked perfectly put together, a complete contrast to the obviously exhausted me. I was jealous of her bright eyes and her perky posture. The constant work had begun to take a toll. We ordered ourselves some coffee and chatted briefly while we waited.