The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 6

Aside from the swarms of guests, the first wonder I detect is the scent from the fresh flowers. In place of the traditional family dining table is a sleek, black glass affair centred in the room and atop it is the most stunning display of floral artistry that I have ever had the pleasure to lay my eyes upon.

A myriad of grand, lush yellow roses pose effortlessly within a huge arrangement, the foliage lending itself perfectly for early spring. Accented with lime green berries and draping ivy, the breath-taking feature is presented in a tall and slender mirrored urn. It's classic, elegant and it's out of this world.

Beyond Max's shoulder in the rear corners of the room, stand enormous rectangular vases containing two matching ensembles. Placing my glass on the bar, my greedy eyes commit to memory the spectacles of beauty before them.

"Wow!" I breathe a sigh of admiration, unable to drag my eyes from them. "All of this is for me?"

"Yes." His voice is low and almost seductive though I suspect I'm mistaken, given where we are. "Do you like them?"

"Like them? Are you kidding me?" Unable to contain my utter delight, my smile beams like sunshine. Turning my body into his and without a second thought, I clutch his face in my hands and kiss his lips. I feel so happy I could burst, but as I feel him smile against my mouth I grasp my error and pull back feeling completely perturbed.

His eyes search mine for some kind of explanation but in my shameful state I can offer none. What the hell am I thinking? Picking up my glass I take several sips and before swallowing its entire contents, I reach for another.

"Gracie?" His voice wavers and I hate myself for causing this confusion. He thinks I've forgiven him. I haven't. He thinks I want him. I don't. Do I? I was simply caught up in his kindness, that's all. It meant nothing more than the kiss I'd given Granny. But I love Granny...

"No." I whisper, answering his question and my own. I need to forget this stupid stumble and protect myself.

Where's Henri?

I need to drink.

**************

"I have to hand it to you Sophie," I say, hanging off of her shoulder. "You sure as hell know how to throw a party!"

I knock back what is likely my fourth or fifth drink, heading straight for the round table in the centre of the room. Taking a plate, I dish up some fish and chips that arrived by delivery a short while ago and grabbing a cocktail, I find a seat on the patio outside. I can't believe in my plight to prove I can still party at 40, I've not bothered to eat. At least the kids have been fed and settled thanks to Connie taking over from Max earlier.

The DJ, who's now pouring out some pretty cool 70's tunes in my honour begins his next set encouraging my guests to fill the floor and before I know what's hit me, Henri has grabbed my arm. Together we throw some moves and I dance until my feet ache. It feels like forever since I've enjoyed the company of all of the important people in my life. Aside from Holly's birth, the last time we were together like this was Granny Mac's birthday though the evening had been overshadowed when I'd learned of Max's move to LA.

As my mind strays into my memories I can't help but feel my mood dip. I should be happy and celebrating but I'm unable to concentrate. All I can think of is Max. And how since meeting him or certainly since falling in love with him, that he's managed to wound me so much. Why did I let him draw me into his web so often given the disappointments I've had to endure from him?

But on the other hand, I've caused him pain too.

I deliberately tried to hurt him using the American waiter at the GPC event and I left him in Manchester following a disagreement about arrangements when he'd paid for the airfare for me to come and visit him. Then I all but threw him out of the hospital scan room telling him to grow the hell up when it was clear he was in shock and likely needed a little understanding. And to top all of that, I fled to Santorini, leaving him without any knowledge of my whereabouts when I was in the early stages of a potentially threatened pregnancy, with his baby. And then there was the argument at the solicitors after which I left him. Again.