Wednesday morning arrived, and I was feeling better. I hadn’t tried to call Alice again, even though she had been on my mind.  The good part was things were less awkward between Lara and me. 

We were enjoying our last few precious moments in bed, me stretching and then leaning back into her arms and saying sleepily:

“I wish you didn’t have to work late tonight, Lar.”

She kissed behind my ear, and murmured:

“I know. I really wanted to go to Carmen’s party too.”

My head snapped round to look at her, my eyes widening.

“No. That’s tomorrow night.”

Lara’s brow crinkled.

“Isn’t it?”

She thought for a moment.

“I’m sure it’s tonight.”

I slapped my forehead as realisation dawned.

“Shit! You’re right. I totally thought it was tomorrow! I’ve committed to that awards thing now.”

Lara smiled at me in a you’re-a-goofball-but-I-love-you kind of way. “You better call Shane.”

I groaned. “Maybe it won’t go on that long, I can go straight to Wax afterwards.”

Lara kissed my hair. “That’s what I was planning if I can get away in time.”

I made the call, stressing what an idiot I was to forget. Shane was a little pissed as apparently both Alice and Tina couldn’t make it either.  I guiltily promised to get a great gift for Carmen and hung up feeling like a shitty friend.

It was early evening and I was getting ready for the awards. I’d chosen to wear a sheer silver backless dress and wrap, and was putting the finishing touches to my hair as Lara changed into her Chef’s whites.

“Maybe I can plead temporary insanity?” I whined, thinking ahead to an evening surrounded by strangers, with no Lara, when I could have been at Wax having a fabulous time celebrating with my friends. Don’t forget Alice wouldn’t have been there either… a nice uncomplicated evening wasted.

I noticed Lara staring at me in the mirror.

“You look incredible.”

I smiled. “So do you.”

She laughed. “Yeah right… and just wait until later when I smell of stale oil and garlic!”

“Oh, yeah…” I pulled her into a hug.” I love it when you talk cooking to me!”