Sapphire (10 page)

Sapphire rolled her eyes, ‘It was just to say that he was looking forward to working with me. It’s no big deal!’

Suddenly Sapphire’s birthday spirit was ebbing away.

‘So aren’t you going to open your presents?’ Jazz asked as Sapphire looked down at the little pile in front of her.

Sapphire unwrapped the presents and she was delighted with a bejewelled cuff from Cal – he always did have fantastic taste – Moulton Brown bath oils from Jazz and a cute necklace with a collection of charms on it from Sam’s own jewellery collection. Sapphire was actually impressed. She had always thought Sam’s jewellery creations were just a hobby but looking at the necklace, she could see her friend had real talent.

‘Not as grand as the Tiffany necklace, I’m afraid,’ Sam said as Sapphire picked up the necklace and looked at the tiny silver love heart, the starfish and a pearl.

‘But much nicer because it’s not from a fuckwit, but from my friend,’ Sapphire paused. ‘Maybe I could sell some of your necklaces in the boutique.’ Even on her birthday she still had her business head on.

‘Really?’ Sam said excitedly.

‘Yeah, let’s talk about it tomorrow.’

‘Okay, birthday girl.’ She picked up the bottle of champagne. ‘Another?’

‘Fill it up!’ Sapphire replied holding up her glass.

After that the conversation flowed more easily between the friends and there was no further mention of Alfie or Ryan. Several times Sapphire noticed Sam exchanging looks with Jay as if the two shared a secret and she wondered what the pair had hatched up, but mostly Sapphire was enjoying herself.

In fact, all in all Sapphire was thinking that this counted as one of her best birthdays ever when Sam came out with her bombshell. ‘Right, get your coats, we’ve got a salsa lesson in twenty minutes.’

‘But you know I’m crap at doing that kind of dancing!’ Sapphire wailed.

‘That’s why you’re having lessons, sweetie!’ Sam replied. ‘We’re having the lessons and then staying on for salsa night, it’ll be fun.’

‘And one two three four five six, move those hips, Sapphire, I just know you’ve got the Latin spirit in you!’ declared the salsa teacher, a stunning woman with the petite figure of a ballerina and waist-length black hair.

‘And Jay! Lovely Jay, let me see your hips!’

The group had been working on the dance moves for the last forty minutes, and in spite of her earlier reservations Sapphire was loving it. Jay was fantastic, as was Sam. In fact, Sam’s dancing was a revelation – she moved with fluidity and grace. It was Jazz and Sapphire who were slower to pick up the moves, but still, Sam was right it was fun.
Strictly
Come
Dancing
eat your heart out . . .

They didn’t end up leaving the club until half two. Back at the apartment Sapphire collapsed on the sofa, ‘That was just the best night ever!’ she declared, slipping off her shoes and wincing because her feet were killing her.

‘So you’ll come dancing with me again?’ Jay asked, sitting next to her. He began massaging her toes. He’s so lovely! Sapphire thought as he eased away the tension.

‘Definitely, babe! Even though you’re a way better mover than me and you know how competitive I am,’ she leant in for a kiss.

‘So, he murmured, ‘are you ready for your next present?’

‘Oh yeah, baby!’ Sapphire exclaimed, slipping her hands inside his shirt and caressing his smooth skin.

‘You can have that one later; I’ve got something else for you first. Close your eyes.’

‘Jay, you really didn’t have to get me anything else!’ Sapphire protested.

‘I did, now close your eyes and hold out your hand.’

Sapphire did as she was told, hoping that Jay hadn’t spent too much money. She still felt guilty about her request for the Louboutin boots. Jay placed a small object in the palm of her hand. Sapphire was relieved: at least he hadn’t maxed out his credit card getting the boots.

‘Okay, you can open them now.’

The relief vanished when she discovered a red velvet jewellery box. When she opened it she felt as if her heart had stopped beating from shock because there was a ring. And not just any old ring, it was unmistakeably a diamond engagement ring. She looked over to Jay who now had moved off the sofa and was on one knee. This was so wrong, off the scale wrong, in fact! Sapphire’s mind scrambled to make sense of what was happening.

‘Sapphire, I know we haven’t been together long but I love you and I know with all my heart that you are the one for me; you’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.’ Jay gazed at Sapphire, his beautiful brown eyes, warm and passionate. ‘So will you?’ There was such hope and longing in his voice.

Sapphire had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach and her mouth suddenly felt as dry as sandpaper. There was no way, just no way that she could possibly say yes. She hesitated for a just a second before saying, ‘Jay, I’m
really sorry but no. I can’t marry you. I don’t want to marry anyone. I thought you knew that.’

Jay looked as if he had been struck. ‘Won’t you at least think about what I’ve asked? I love you, Sapphire.’

If you had to dream up the perfect man Jay would tick every box – he had stunning good looks, a lovely personality, a strong character and was fantastic in bed. There were so many other women who would have jumped at his proposal. But right now all Sapphire felt was completely suffocated and she wanted to pretend the proposal had never happened.

‘Jay, I love what I have with you, but I’m just not ready for anything more right now.’

Jay stood up now, ‘And what exactly do you have with me, Sapphire? I’m just your fuck buddy, aren’t I? You see me when you want, on your terms, and you never quite let me in, do you?’ The warmth and passion in his eyes had now been replaced with wounded pride.

‘That’s not true, Jay, I do let you in. You’re the first man I’ve had a proper relationship with since my marriage broke up. And I’m sorry if I don’t want to marry you and I’ve hurt your feelings but that’s just the way it is.’ Sapphire felt a steely determination inside her; she was not going to be made to feel bad just because she wanted different things to Jay. It wasn’t her fault that he had proposed. God knows she had never asked for that!

‘Well, I’m tired of it being a casual thing!’ Jay exclaimed angrily. ‘And I’m sick of you never taking me seriously. I’m not just your boy toy, Sapphire.’

‘I know you’re not! But as for the rest, come on Jay, you don’t exactly live in the fast lane do you? Are you going to be a personal trainer for the rest of your life?’

Jay glared at her, ‘D’you know what? Fuck you, Sapphire.’

And with that he grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the flat, slamming the door behind him.

What the fuck! Sapphire was furious – firstly at the whole proposal and then at Jay for leaving like that. And it was her birthday! She was too wired to sleep, instead she curled up on one of the armchairs with a glass of brandy.

She stared out of the window and into the darkness; the lights strung along the seafront, the inky black sea in the distance. Why did Jay have to complicate things like this? She had been perfectly happy with the way things were. She hated feeling under pressure. She looked back into the living room and the bouquet of flowers Ryan had sent her caught her eye. All she had ever wanted from a man since Alfie was fun, flirtation and very good sex. Why wasn’t that enough for Jay?

Because of her late night she didn’t get into work until midday. But if she was hoping to forget about the events of the night before she was in for a shock as both Jazz and Sam looked at her expectantly when she walked in.

‘Well?’ Sam asked, ‘How did it go?’

She was beaming at Sapphire. Clearly Sam must have known all along that Jay planned to propose. Jay had obviously bought the ring at her store, probably with Sam’s advice. It was irrational but Sapphire suddenly felt furious with Sam. She, of all people, knew how Sapphire felt about marriage; why hadn’t she made Jay see sense?

Sapphire ignored the question, ‘I don’t know what you mean, why aren’t you at work?’ She couldn’t stop herself sounding cold and offhand.

‘I’ve brought my jewellery range round, remember? You said you might be able to stock it in the boutique?’ Sam replied, frowning at Sapphire’s tone. ‘What’s your problem? I thought last night was great.’

‘Yeah, Sapphire, why’ve you got the hump?’ Jazz put in.

Whoa! Her friends were skating on thin ice! Sapphire again ignored the question, walked over to one of the
lingerie displays and began checking that the bras were in the right size order. She efficiently clicked through the hangers, the model store owner, but all the while she could feel anger building up inside her.

‘What is your problem, Sapphire? You’ve got the most gorgeous boyfriend who adores you! Sometimes you really can be the most ungrateful bitch!’ Sam exclaimed, sounding as if she had seriously lost her cool. She never usually spoke to Sapphire like this, it was a shock.

Sapphire swung round. ‘What? Because I didn’t want to get engaged to Jay! You knew he was going to propose didn’t you? Why the fuck didn’t you try and persuade him not to? You know I absolutely never want to get married again!’ Sapphire had lost her cool as well.

‘Why?’ Sam advanced towards Sapphire, hands on hips. ‘Maybe I think that Jay is the best thing that ever happened to you,’ she was shouting now, ‘and that it’s wonderful that he’s in love with you, and that you could have a fantastic relationship with him. I can’t believe you can be so dismissive of him!’

‘Fuck off, Sam! I don’t care what you think!’ Sapphire let rip. Sam took a step backwards, stunned at Sapphire’s vicious tone. ‘Yes, Jay’s a nice guy, a lovely guy, but all I’m looking for is fun. I never want to be tied down to one person ever again.
Ever
!’

Jazz moved towards them, ‘Come on, guys, take a chill pill.’

Sapphire shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, I feel really wound up. I’m going for a walk. Leave your necklaces on the counter, I’ll sort them out later.’

And without giving Sam and Jazz a second glance she stormed out of the boutique, slamming the door behind her. She was oblivious to her surroundings as she practically ran through the Lanes and towards the seafront. She needed to get away from everyone, needed space right now.

It was a glorious October day, the sky a wonderful bright blue, the air fresh when she breathed it in; the sea was millpond flat, the cries of the gulls harsh but familiar to her and somehow comforting. It was still warm enough to sit outside and people were sipping lattes, chatting and laughing, while Sapphire stormed past them. Fuck fuck fuck! Why did this have to happen? She was so lost in her thoughts that she failed to notice Ryan running towards her along the promenade.

‘Hey, Sapphire!’ Ryan called out. She looked up to see a vision of male gorgeousness standing in front of her. Ryan was wearing a tight black vest and sweatpants. The vest showcased some pretty impressive pecs. Suddenly some of Sapphire’s spectacularly bad mood started to lift.

‘Hi,’ she smiled back warmly. ‘Thank you so much for the flowers, they were stunning.’

‘It was my pleasure,’ Ryan replied, then lifted his vest to wipe his face, showing off some even more impressive abs and gorgeous golden-brown skin. A shot of pure lust replaced the anger pulsing round her body. Sapphire had to stop herself from staring. The man was hot, hottie hot!

‘So what are you doing?’ he continued, while Sapphire hoped that her face wasn’t betraying just how attractive she found him.

‘Just needed a walk to clear my head. I’ve got a lot on at the moment.’

‘Too much to let me take you for lunch?’

Sapphire considered the invitation. A day out with Ryan might be just what she needed after last night and would surely help put everything in perspective.

You want to flirt with him, her conscience pricked her, while the bad-girl side tried to make out the day was just about business. Bad girl won.

‘I’d love to.’

‘Fantastic. I’ll meet you in Hotel du Vin, at say, half one. I should take a shower first.’

‘Fine, see you then,’ Sapphire replied, businesslike and professional. Little did he know she was having a deliciously dirty thought about him in the shower . . .

Sapphire phoned Vanessa and told her she wouldn’t be coming in for the rest of the day. She was still too annoyed with Jazz to speak to her. And as for Sam, well Sapphire was going to take her time apologising to her. In fact she felt it should be Sam doing the apologising. She couldn’t believe the way her friend was treating her. She also expected to hear from Jay but nothing from him either. She did not take kindly to being told to fuck off. He would have some serious grovelling to do.

She headed back to her apartment and took ages deciding what to wear. The ring box was still lying on the coffee table. Sapphire could almost feel it looking at her accusingly as she padded around getting ready. She picked it up and opened the box. A pretty, three-diamond, white-gold engagement ring sparkled back at her. Somehow the sight of it aggravated her even more. If she ever did get engaged again, and this was speaking hypothetically because she was
never
going to get engaged again, she wanted a bloody whopper of a ring! She stuffed the box at the back of her dressing table drawer and carried on getting ready.

Just then her mobile rang. It was Jay.

‘Hi,’ Sapphire said curtly.

Jay sighed. ‘Look, I’m sorry I said fuck you, but you really pushed me last night. I don’t even think I should be phoning you after everything that happened. But I knew you wouldn’t call me. And I don’t like playing games, Sapphire.’

‘Nor do I,’ Sapphire shot back.

‘Can’t we just go back to how we were?’ Jay replied. ‘Forget last night ever happened, it was a mistake, okay? I’ll never mention it again.’

This was more like it.

‘
Okay
, the way we were, then,’ her mood had softened towards him.

‘And by the way it’s my dad’s birthday meal tonight, you said you’d come, remember?’

Not such good news. ‘Sure, I’ll be there.’

‘And don’t mention what happened last night, I don’t want anyone to know.’