Unforgettable Embrace (26 page)

"We've heard a lot about you," Rachel said.

"All good, I hope,"Vic smiled.

"Definitely," Liz said, smiling up at him.

He was a very handsome man, and very tall. He had jet black hair and pale grey eyes, which were quite startling against his tanned skin. He was lean, but well-built at the same time. Jen had told the girls that he was well into working out and was currently training for a triathlon.

"Drinks are on me, ladies, what do you fancy?" he asked.

"We'll just have some iced water for now, darling," Jen said, "we still have most of this bottle of champagne to get through and we don't want to crash and burn too early."

"Don't be daft, gorgeous, you have to crash and burn on New Year's Eve," he said, "I'll surprise you," and he made his way slowly to the bar, pushing through the crowds.

"First impressions, girls?" Jen asked, "favourable, I hope?"

"Yes, he seems lovely," Rachel said.

"I like him," Liz agreed.

"Good, I knew you'd get on well with him. He's a bit nervous so don't ask him too many questions, Liz," Jen warned her friend.

"Me?!" Liz cried, "I would never do that!"

"You would!" Rachel said, "I remember the first time I met you I felt like I was undergoing the Spanish inquisition with the amount of questions you were firing at me."

"Oh, gosh, I never realised. I only asked cos I was really interested in you."

"I know, I don't blame you, sure I'm a very interesting person," Rachel laughed, hugging her friend.

"Cheeky," Liz said, hugging her back.

Vic suddenly reappeared with a big bucket of ice and another bottle of champagne.

"It's mayhem out there," he said, sitting down in relief.

"Let me pour you a nice refreshing glass of bub
bly, sweetheart," Jen said. “Ladies, more champagne?"

"I dunno, I'm feeling a bit light-headed," Liz hesitated.

"It'd be rude not to," Rachel said, holding out her glass.

"Go on, then."

Rachel and Liz hit the dance floor, leaving Jen and her fiancé canoodling in the corner.

"What time is Batt getting here?" Liz shouted over the noise of the music.

"He said between nine and ten. He'll text me when he's outside so we can let him in on the VIP pass."

"I can't wait to meet him," Liz yelled.

Rachel smiled. She was a little in trepidation at seeing Batt again. It had been a month since they'd last seen each other, and they'd only spoken on the phone twice. Rachel found it easier to text him, as she felt slightly embarrassed about their last encounter. She was sure Batt wanted to make things official with her, and she really didn't want the pressure of a committed relationship in her life. She promised herself she'd be honest and straightforward with him when she saw him again.

Suddenly, she felt hands on her waist and someone moving their body very close against hers. She swung round, almost knocking him off his feet.

"Hi Rachel," he smiled, composing himself quickly.

It was Batt, looking very, very handsome indeed. He'd had his hair cut shorter with a flick in the front and he'd gelled it expertly. The pristine blue shirt he wore accentuated the blue in his turquoise eyes, making them sparkle. He looked the picture of health and seemed very happy to see her. He couldn't stop smiling at her. Rachel felt her cheeks turn pink. He hugged her close and planted a big kiss on her lips. She couldn't help but kiss him back. She felt something stir within her when he kissed her, and she was brought right back to the first night they'd slept together. She had butterflies in her stomach, something she did not expect to have when she saw Batt again. They couldn't stop gazing into each other's eyes.

"I'm Liz," Liz shouted over the noise.

"Oh, Liz, sorry, this is Batt. Batt, this is my good friend, Liz," Rachel finally came to her senses. She brought Batt to meet Jen and Vic who were animatedly discussing their wedding plans.

Batt chatted easily with everyone and they all seemed to like him very much. He was an excellent conversationalist, Rachel remembered, and kept everyone entertained with stories of his travels and the different adventures he'd had on his motorbike. Rachel found herself looking at him differently. She realised she was very attracted to him and whatsmore she genuinely liked him. She hadn't thought she'd liked him this much, after all, she'd told herself that she wanted them to just be friends, but she caught herself wanting more than that now. She was starting to feeling confused by her sudden change of heart and mind.

"He's absolutely gorgeous!" Jen said, when Batt and Vic went off to the bar to get more drinks, leaving the girls alone.

"Totally scrumptious," Liz agreed, "if you don't want him, I'll have him."

"He's so friendly and chatty," Jen continued.

"Why don't you like him?" Liz asked in amazement.

"I never said I didn't like him," Rachel said, "I just thought it was all too much too soon."

"It's been almost a year since you broke up with Tony," Jen said.

"Maybe it's time to give love a chance again. He seems mad about you, the way he was looking at you and kept touching you so gently."

"Yeah, he talks about you almost reverentially," Liz said, "I wish I could find someone who adores me like that."

"I do like him, more so now that I've seen him again," Rachel admitted, "he's even more handsome than I remembered."

"I'm not telling you what to do or anything, girl," Jen said, "but if I was you I'd give him a chance."

"Maybe," Rachel deliberated, "maybe."

"Five. Four. Three. Two. One. H
appy New Year!!!!"

Balloons and streamers came floating down from the ceiling and everybody was soon covered in confetti. Batt grabbed Rachel and kissed her long and slow. She thought she was going to melt in his arms.

"Sleep with me, tonight," he whispered in her ear, as he held her close.

"Ok," she whispered her response. She disentangled herself unwillingly from his arms to hug her friends’ goodbye.

They couldn't keep their hands off each other in the taxi to Batt's hotel. He was staying at the Queenborough House Hotel in the city centre, so they didn't have far to travel. She couldn't believe how much she wanted him and how much she'd missed him. They spent the night passionately locked in each other's arms. When they made love she truly believed that he loved her with all his heart. She'd never experienced anything like it before. She never wanted to let him go. She wished they could stay in that bed together forever, lost in each other.

"I love you so much," Batt replied, kissing her tenderly.

"I love you," she said, looking deep into his eyes, knowing that she truly meant the words.

Chapter 36

"Looks like we'll have another wedding to plan before long," Liz said, smiling indulgently at Rachel, who'd been texting non-stop for the past twenty minutes.

"Get outta here," Rachel flung a cushion at her friend.

The girls were sprawled out on the sofa beds in Jen's house, watching old films and trying to recover from the merriment of the previous night. Batt had had to leave early to get back to the farm. His neighbour was keeping an eye on the animals in his absence, but he didn't want to be away too long. Vic was in Galway to do the photography for a wedding, so the girls were happily relaxing and gossiping together.

"Speaking of weddings, have you and Vic thought about where you might like to have the reception?" Rachel asked.

"We'll have to book it a.s.a.p." Jen groaned, holding her head. "I can't think straight at the moment, Rach, I'm trying to concentrate on not puking again," she said, "as much as I love champagne, I always have the mother of all hangovers the next morning."

"It was a good night," Liz laughed, "I haven't danced like that in a long time."

"We'll have to get together for a boogie more often," Rachel agreed.

"Just with a lot less alcohol," Jen sighed.

"I won't nag you too much today, Jen, cos you're suffering, so I'll just nag Liz instead. How are you getting on with your wedding plans?"

"I've finished my sketches for the hairstyles and makeup. I need to show them to you and Jen for approval. I've been scouring the internet for our bridesmaid dresses, and I found some really pretty dresses on the internet with blush pink detail, so they would match Jen's shoes and also the pink roses in Jen's bouquet. I'm almost done with my side."

"Wow, good work," Rachel said, "you've done more than me. I've had a look through some bridal magazines for inspiration and I need to make a few phone calls for the photographer and cars. Hopefully, I'll have them booked by next week. I have a few ideas on the honeymoon, just need to run them by Jen when she's feeling up to it."

"Thanks so much for all your help, girls," Jen said, "I'd be in a right panic without you two. Vic's mother said she'll bake the cake for us, so that's one more thing to cross off the list." "Excellent," Rachel said, making some adjustments on her notebook. It's all coming along nice and steady."

"Tell us about your honeymoon ideas, Rach," Jen said, "I think that'd help me feel better." "Well, I was thinking the Caribbean. Sherrington has resorts in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua and the Bahamas."

"Oh my God, the Bahamas!" Liz shrieked, "I've always wanted to go there. A woman at work got married in the Bahamas last year and she said it was like paradise. She showed us the photos and the place looks like a dream."

"The brochures are amazing," Rachel agreed, "lots of photos of palm-shaded beaches and dream-like surroundings. Sherrington's resort in the Bahamas offers a choice of five wedding themed rooms with romantic touches such as butterflies, seashells and bamboo."

"I do love seashells," Jen mused.

"Or," Rachel paused for dramatic effect, "how would Hawaii suit you?"

"HAWAII!!" Jen screamed, completely forgetting about her headache. "Yes please and thank you very much!" Liz and Rachel laughed at her reaction. "I didn't know Sherrington had a resort in Hawaii," Jen said, when she'd calmed down a little.

"They only acquired the property recently, and it's located in Waikiki, Honolulu. It's called the Sherrington Kahala Resort and Spa, and I have to say it looks breathtaking."

"I want to go there," Jen said. "I don't even need to see the brochures, but won't it cost an absolute fortune?"

"Well, I've got a lot of points accumulated so I can cover the accommodation side of it, but you and Vic would have to cover the flights."

"I'd say we can stretch to that," Jen pondered, "I'll have to have a word with Vic and check our finances but I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."

"How long is the flight?" Liz asked.

"It's about fourteen hours," Rachel said, "but I think you can stop over in Los Angeles for a few days to break up the journey."

"Sounds good to me," Jen said. "There's a fabulous hotel in Beverly Hills, called The Beverly Wilshire, which is famous because "Pretty Woman" was filmed there. It's supposed to be absolutely outstanding and very luxurious. It's marketed as mixing twenty first century quality with a retro Hollywood ambience. It's located in the centre of Beverly Hills, very close to the renowned Rodeo Drive shops. It's a landmark, historic hotel that buzzes with vitality and blends tradition and chic."

"I'm completely sold," Jen said, "you sound like a sales agent for the hotel."

"It's always been my dream to stay at that hotel," Rachel explained, "ever since I saw "Pretty Woman", which everyone know is my favourite film of all time. The suites are beyond stunning, with spectacular views over Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Hills and the Los Angeles skyline from your balcony."

"Is there a spa?" Liz asked.

Liz was going through a spa obsession at the moment. She'd been to six in the past six months. "They have a state-of-the art spa," Rachel continued, "it is total indulgence and the therapists use Christopher Drummond's animal and eco-friendly cosmetics."

"It all sounds too good to be true," Jen sighed.

"Oh, it's very true and very real," Rachel said, "I'd be happy to organise the whole trip for you and Vic."

"You're too good, Rach," Jen said, getting up suddenly to give her friend a big bear hug.

"Me too," Liz said, holding out her arms.

"I'll make us all some hot chocolate and you can tell us more about Hawaii," Jen said.

"Well, the 'plane from Los Angeles to Honolulu takes about
six hours," Rachel continued. “You know how when we are coming into land over Ireland how below us Ireland looks so green?"

"Yeah, that's my sign that I'm almost home," Jen smiled.

"Apparently, the descent into Hawaii is like a blue tropical paradise."

"My colleague at work said it reminded her of the Bounty chocolate bar ads from the nineties," Liz said.