Chasing Imperfection (Chasing Series 2) (42 page)

     “If Toby boots me out in the freezing cold, both of you’re arses are coming with me, understood?”
She threatened our happy state.

     “Sure
!
” I
agreed
as long as I get to drag Blake with me. I’m not missing out on my reunion with him, come hell or high water.
I am spending time with him!

     “I wouldn’t expect anything less!” Chad grinned.

     “Good. Now, would you be a dear and pass me along your computer, Sienna? I need to purchase tickets to
France. Do we charter a Cessna or a helicopter to get to Courchevel?
” Luce pulled her wallet from her designer rustic tote.

     “
That
’s
not necessary.
Have you forgotten that we have Sienna with us?
Do you honestly think Blake would
let his one and only fly commercial? One of
the
six of his company
’s
jet
s
is going to be our chariot to Courchevel.”

     “Shut it, Chad!”

     “
It’s only a matter of time until you don that monster of a ring!” Luce added.

    
The
ring? Uh, not s
o much. Committing and baring myself
to Blake is still scary to me—but I had to strengthen my resolve if I want to be with him.

     “Maybe in half a decade if Blake still wants me, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Are we going present shopping or not?”

    
We landed around three in the afternoon in Courchevel. Toby arrived in the morning and Blake will
arrive
later in the evening with Luke.

     “
Bon après-midi monsieur Chad, mademoiselle Sienna et mademoiselle Lucille
!
Comment vas-tu?
” 
How are you? Marcel greeted us and directed his question to the blushing Lucy.

     “Je vais bien, Marcel. How is Claudette? Good I hope?”
Luce followed Marcel to the awaiting silver Range Rover. Luce and Claudette got on really well last Christmas. I’m not too sure if they know that Toby and Luce aren’t together?

    
P
owdery white snow was everywhere. The
Alps made
a picturesque backdrop as Marcel drove along.
Memories of Blake and me skiing and laughing flittered through my mind. Was that only last year?

     My nostalgic thoughts halted when Marcel stopped and took out his remote for the automated gate. Once opened, he rounded the car
along the driveway
and the gorgeous rustic three-story
c
halet came into view.
T
his place
has
a heated indoor pool with floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the beautiful snow-capped Alps,
well-equipped game room, a
movie theater and a massive modern gym
.
A luxurious chalet was a little understated if you consider the décor and paintings it consisted.
The chalet boasted
three large master bedrooms and three junior suites
and
all bathrooms have steam showers, Jacuzzi and sauna
. So suffice to say that there will be enough room for all seven of us.
Did I mention that Toby’s distant aunt, Meredith, actually married a sheikh from Qatar? They couldn’t have child
ren, so Meredith doted on Toby, much to Evelyn Watson’s dismay. They hated each other from what I gathered.

     Toby immediately
came out of the large oak door. He
beamed as he grabbed for the car door handle.
All three of us froze
….
Maybe because we forgot to mention it to
Toby that we’re bringing his ex-
love along?

     Toby pulled the car door open and Chad jumped out of the car. “
How
are you? You look all dapper and handsome!” I would say the same but I’m a little nervous, and giddy?

     Marcel opened the trunk and started to bring out
luggage inside the chalet. Luce and I opened the other door and came out on the other side. Once Toby saw who I was with, he froze. “What in the bloody hell is going on? Is this a joke? If it is, it’s rather tasteless!”

     Okay, I expected that. “Toby—let’s get inside and discuss this rationally before we all freeze to death.” I reasoned and encouraged them to go inside. Toby harrumphed and marched back inside
the chalet
. Chad and I shared a
“
look.
”

     “Told you this wasn’t a great idea!” Luce uttered between clenched teeth as we followed Toby inside.

     He was in the spacious all white living room. Toby stood against the floor to ceiling window, trying to appreciate the view before him.

     Chad cleared his throat. “Luce was going to spend the holidays alone in London and we couldn’t leave her there knowing that. Her parents went to the Caribbean and her sister’s in Australia.
T
he last resort was for her to come join us. It’s only for a few days, Tobe! And it’s
Christmas
!”

     “Is everyone here?” a woman’s voice came from the hall.
Who the fuck is that?

     Luce and Chad tensed. Luce looked more stricken.

     Amelia Mendoza glided in all her Spanish glory towards the living room….and toward
s
Toby. Her smooth hand rested on his chest.

      “What the fuck is she doing
here
Toby?!” I shrieked. This fucki
ng woman was bad news. She bore
bad news!

     “I’m taking that you’ve met Amelia?”

     “Are
you
serious? Of course, I’ve met Amelia! I’m
also
in
the know that Blake’s have met
‘
hers
’
quite intimately to be precise. Might I also add that she was the one who told me about the whole Clayworth engagement!”

     Toby looked appalled. “You’ve fucked my best friend and you forgot to mention this important fact?”

     She waved her red lacquered nails in the air. “That was long time ago, querido! It was not that big of a deal
,
” Amelia purred.

    
Toby was ready to explode.
“It is to me. Chad and Sienna will occupy the other master suites. You can take the junior suite Lucy. Excuse us, but Amelia and I have much to discuss in private.” Toby and Amelia strode away, possibly in Toby’s bedroom.

     “Shit, Luce. I didn’t know he was seeing her. Had I known I wouldn’t have suggested it
,
” I finally spoke. Sighing, I sat on the pristine white suede couch. This is so awful.

     Both of them followed suit and sat. We all looked dazed and shocked
by
Toby’s Spanish revelation.

     “Are you okay, Luce?” Chad gave her a hug and held on to her.

     “Yeah, just shocked is all. It was to be expected really.” She bit her pink bottom lip. Her corn flower blue eyes looked misty. “Did she really shag Blake and now her claws are on Toby and God knows what? Did she really confront you about the Clayworth engagement? That shameless whore!”  Luce started to shake her head.

     “She couldn’t get the boss so she settled for the best friend!” Both Luce and I looked at Chad with questioning eyes. “Oh, I’ve heard about her. She chased Blake relentlessly, that’s how I met her. She was at the villa once. I
guess she wasn’t successful anymore so she went after Toby. In normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have—but our baby was so broken
,
Amelia was probably
a
God send.”

     Did Blake know about this? Was
he okay that his best friend was
with someone he
used to sleep
with? That’s rather odd.

     I fished my phone out of my purse and texted Blake.
Where are you? What t
ime will you grace me with your handsome presence?

     “We should unpack and unwind before dinner” Chad stretched. “You know, if you get bored, you can sleep with us Luce
,
”
h
e jested.

     “Funny, ha ha. NOT!” Luce finally grinned as we got up and made our way to the stairs.

     Last year, we celebrated Toby’s birthday at the stroke of midnight. He will be showered presents and well wishes. But I know tonight will be a bit different, especially with Amelia in tow.

     My phone beeped.
I’
m in London with grandfather. I will be leaving
in half an hour or so. I’
ll be seeing you.

     That’s going to be awhile.

     To
kill time, I started to unpack which didn’t take much time. I decided to take a lengthy shower. After, I dried my long locks and donned all white matching sweats and a black Uggs boots. I applied limited make-up and grabbed my iPad and scoured the living room downstairs.

     Chad was enjoying a glass of pinot as he lounged on the couch and watched the dancing flames in the fireplace. “Life is too good lately, baby love. What if it isn’t permanent?”
H
e spoke softly.

     “Nothing is permanent in life babe, but it only gets better from here.” I grabbed his wine and took a sip. “Delicious
.
”

     “It is, isn’t it? Claudette showed m
e the impressive cellar. Can you believe that I don’t feel like a broken man anymore? And you—you look so happy! It’s the best Christmas ever!” He gave me a quick kiss.

     “I know, life’s been rather a crazy roller coaster, wouldn’t you say? Where’s Luce?”

     “Asleep—probably still reeling from earlier.”

     This same situation I dealt with rather disastrously, which happened a few times to be honest with Blake, and I died with seething jealousy. It isn’t easy to see someone you love be with someone else. It’s not something I would like any person to experience. It’s the worst kind of pain. It eats you alive and all you
can
do is breathe and pray for a miracle.

     I moved to the other side of the rounded suede couch and turned on my
K
indle. I have tons of books to catch up on.
I didn’t even finish reading a few pages before I dozed off.

     A few boisterou
s
male
laughs
jerked
me awake. How long did I nap for?
I thought groggily.

     “
…it was. Where is Toby?” Blake’s masculine, deep voice jolted my hazy, sleepy state wide awake.

     Blake. He’s here!

     I got up
hastily
and made my way to the grand foyer and jumped into Blake
’s
hard body.  His face lit up when he saw me, but it lit up
more
when I clung unto him and gave his face loud smacking kisses.

     He chuckled. “Goodness woman! Had I known I would get this kind of welcoming, I should go away on business more!”

     Chad and Luke laughed.

     I ran my hands
through
his dark wavy hair and kissed his lips. “Don’t you dare do that! I’ve missed you so much!”

     Still clinging to his body, his hands captured my ass nicely and gave it a good spanking as he nuzzled my neck. “God, I have missed you mad!”

     “Was he good, Luke? You
’d better tell me the truth
or you
’ll
have Chad to answer to!”

     “Of course I was, poppet! I was a bloody saint. There’s no one else but you!” Blake stated against my neck.

      “He was good. I promise you!” Luke swore. Good, that’s all I needed to hear.