Why does everything with women have to be so complicated. I’m starting to wonder whether Ruby has been reading my mother’s books…. I bloody hope not as I have enough trouble dealing with mother let alone having to deal with a potential junior version of her.
I’ve just compared a girl I like to my mother...Christ I really am losing the plot.
Ruby then stops my spinning head in its tracks as she asks me the question I was dying to hear;
‘So are you free tomorrow for a date? That’s if you want to go for a date that is.’
Wow. I can’t believe it. I almost want to do a Tom Cruise and jump on the table but I think better of it as it might scare Ruby off and besides I’d probably get that nurse come over and sedate me or flip me upside down and use me as a mop or something…that nurse is not a woman I ever want to come across again.
I give Ruby a clear yes and that she should get ready to have her ‘mind-blown’ for the date I am going to organise for us. I immediately cringe at the use of the phrase ‘mind-blown’ but she seemed to laugh and says she ‘can’t wait to see what I have planned for her’.
We part ways with a hug, which was a bit awkward due to her sore arm but still I AM GOING ON A DATE WITH RUBY!!
As I head back to my flat, I can hear my bowels gurgling again as the pressure is on to create a ‘mind-blowing’ date tomorrow. I better think of something pretty damn cool to do near Sydney Harbour otherwise I probably won’t have another chance of making this work with Ruby. I think I might need to consult my friend Google on this one and hope he comes up with something decent.
* * *
After returning to the flat and spending another thirty minutes on the toilet seat, I began to do some thinking about our date tomorrow, not sure why but toilets are always the best place to think up ideas if you are a man. Aristotle probably came up with his best theories whilst taking a dump, although I doubt any history book will confirm it as it doesn’t sound quite as fancy as coming up with ideas in a botanical garden or temple.
Anyway, whilst thinking of things we can do, it suddenly dawned on me that our last date was at Sydney Harbour so we should head back there. I can’t stand Opera so that rules out the Opera House. Although there is the Bridge…yes the bridge will be excellent. I will book us on a sunset climb. It will be romantic and adventurous. All sorted.
Oh shit…I’ve run out of toilet roll.
CHAPTER 25
Well Ryan really did give me a date to remember and no I don’t mean we got down and dirty. Instead we went up and got flighty. Well I felt a bit flighty, Ryan seemed to be cooler than an ice cube.
Ryan clearly decided that being attacked on a beach hadn't raised my adrenaline quite high enough, as he decided our date should consist of us climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunset. Quite frankly I would’ve been happy just to have had a look at the bridge from the harbour at sunset and seen that as a pretty awesome date but Ryan had other ideas. Just looking up at the bridge makes me feel queasy.
I couldn’t say no as he had this puppy dog look which you just don't want to upset and he’d greeted me with the biggest bunch of pink damask roses I have ever seen. They were just beautiful, they are my favourite flowers too. He clearly had done his homework with Tess and I would feel terrible for ruining the plans for our first date after the accident so I agreed to climb the bridge. When I said yes he kissed me gently on the forehead and slipped his hand in mine.
I gave him a squeeze of his hand to show that I was happy to go along with his date idea. Although my brain was screaming the opposite and that I am going to die.
When we got to the climb centre, we put on these grey jumpsuits on which made me feel like a sack of potatoes…so much for trying to be a glamour puss on this date, although Ryan looked rather handsome in his.
They then gave us the usual safety talk and by that time I really was thinking I was going to die yet somehow I managed to make my way to the beginning of the bridge and the climb and latch myself on to the railings on the side, just a piece of material stopping me from plunging into the harbour below.
Despite my legs feeling like mush and being accompanied by the taste of sick continually rising in my throat, we made it to the top of the bridge and although at times I was feeling like a human washing machine from all the worrying I was doing, the view made the exhausting and nerve wracking journey worthwhile and surprisingly on the way back down to the ground I began to enjoy myself a little especially as it meant I had a full view of Ryan’s bum as he sashayed down the steps.
And as an added bonus I didn’t die which meant that I could enjoy a deep and satisfying kiss from Ryan and an ice cream for being a ‘brave girl’. Ryan can be such a sarcastic sod sometimes. I knew he knew I was nervous but in a way the sarcasm, the fun and the nerves were all just part of the adventure of this new relationship we are embarking on together. I can’t wait to organise the next adventurous date.
CHAPTER 26
The past few weeks have just been a whirlwind of amazing dates, with my girlfriend, Ruby. That’s right I called her my girlfriend. The bachelor life is now just a distant memory, although I thought I might have blown my chances with the Bridge date. It probably wasn’t the best idea to do something quite as adventurous as a climb with Ruby considering what she had recently gone through. Yet despite her initial nervousness, she went with the idea and seemed to enjoy it by the end. Whether her mind was blown is a different question, although I think I got pretty close.
The look on her face at the top of the bridge was priceless. She was in such awe of the sunset and the view of Sydney and to be fair so was I. It’s a beautiful city and now I get to enjoy it with a beautiful girl.
Today’s date has been organised by Ruby, which is to hang out on Bondi beach. I wasn’t sure whether that was a good idea due to what happened last time but Ruby was pretty determined that we should go as she wanted to make new and happy memories there.
Even though we are just going to the beach I am still getting stressed out about what to wear.
Red or blue. Red or blue. I really can’t decide. Red might make me look a bit like a David Hasselhoff wannabe so maybe I’ll go with the blue. In the past I wouldn’t give a flying fandango what pair of trunks I wore as long as they fitted but now with Ruby on the scene I want to do my upmost to make the right impression, especially as I feel today might be the day to invite her back to mine.
Oh shit, its 2:10pm, I was meant to meet Ruby at Bondi beach at 2pm. I quickly pull on my blue swimmers and t-shirt and head out of the door.
CHAPTER 27
‘Follow your heart’ were Tess’s parting words to me after I did my last shift at ‘Fascinating Florals’. And right now I feel I am doing exactly that and it feels amazing, well other than the part where I am currently getting sand in my eyes waiting for Ryan to turn up at Bondi Beach.
In the weeks that followed our Bridge date we have spent so much time together. I can now tick off the bucket list that I have seen an opera despite Ryan’s initial reluctance, I have fed giraffes at Taronga Zoo and know how to say a few words in Italian thanks to a few visits to Gino’s restaurant. And the best thing is I’ve been able to share these special moments with Ryan.
Although all this eating out is starting to make me into a bit of a chunky monkey, somewhere between seeing Ryan, dreaming about Ryan and illustrating I will have to fit in some exercise to work off all this rich and indulgent food I have been eating recently. Thankfully my swimsuit still fits at the moment.
I’ve also met up with Chad and Charlie who are just awesome. They both have that laid-back, hippy vibe which immediately puts you at ease. Even though Charlie is technically my boss we get on like a house on fire discussing creative ideas and sharing recipes for fruit smoothies.
Since Ryan gave Charlie my sketch of the hotel lobby I have had a flurry of magazine editors wanting to commission me for my work. I can’t quite believe it, after all this time struggling with my art and thinking it is not good en
ough for anyone to see, I seem to have made a break through as not only is my work being published I am getting paid for it too. It did mean however, that I had to give up my job at ‘Fascinating Florals.’
Although to be honest, ever since the incident with Michael I hadn’t been that keen to go back to work there. Michael was found guilty two weeks ago of my assault. Apparently, I wasn’t the only girl he attacked but thankfully he is now serving a lengthy prison sentence.
Tess was so kind to me when I came to see her at the stall. She immediately put her arms around me and gave me a big hug. I told her she was my ‘fairy godmother’ as without her I don’t think I would’ve lasted that long in the city what with her giving me a job at the stall and giving me the odd motherly advice such as ‘are you eating enough Ruby?’ and ‘make sure you look after yourself’. During my absence, Chloe has stepped in as she unfortunately lost the job at the cafe she was working in, although having a blazing row with the manager as to how to make ‘authentic paella’ probably didn't help her situation. I just hope she isn’t this fiery with Tess or my sister.
Everything seems to be going so well lately, it is almost too good to be true.
My scar is healing nicely which means I can finally go swimming in the ocean. I chose Bondi as the place to swim as I feel it is the right time to move on and make good memories with Ryan here.
I’ve always loved the ocean. The sounds of the waves crashing on the shore and the feel of the grainy wet sand sinking between my toes. It is one of the few places which makes me feel calm and myself.
As I enjoy the sea breeze on my skin I hear a voice which melts my heart;
‘Sorry I’m late I was just having a quick catch-up with Chad on the phone and lost track of the time’.
‘Well it looks like we will have to make up for lost time by going straight in the sea…On your marks get set go….’
Before Ryan even has a chance to change his mind I am already running towards the ocean, leaving my shorts and shirt behind on the sand and revealing my red swimsuit to the beach. As I look behind I see that he has decided to follow me and I begin to giggle as I plunge straight into the water.
I feel the coolness of the water lap at my legs and then I see Ryan just inches behind me. I look at him straight in the eyes and as he does so he leans closer for a kiss. In response I throw myself in the water and begin to swim away.
‘Catch me if you can’ I shout.
He grins and dives straight in the water to catch up. After just a few strokes he is already level with me. He then moves back half a stroke and then gently grabs hold of one of my legs.
‘Caught you!’ he shouts back at me. I twist my body round in the water to face him and stick out my tongue. He then pulls my leg closer to him so I am within touching distance again, he lets go of my leg and in return I give him a salty and satisfying kiss.
We spent what felt like several hours in the sea, swimming, attempting to dive to the bottom and splashing each other as if we were kids again. Not only were my arms and legs beginning to tire but my face as well due to all the smiling I have done today.
We eventually make it back to the shore where after drying myself off and applying factor gazillion on my body…with a little help from Ryan of course, I take a moment to admire Ryan’s toned and tanned body. He looks so at ease in himself as he lays down on his towel soaking up the afternoon sun rays.
He catches me looking at him.
‘What?’ he says suspiciously.
‘Oh nothing, I’m just admiring the view’.
He rolls his eyes and I swear I see his cheeks turn a slightly pink colour. He then changes the topic and decides to tell me about the different areas of Sydney. I’m not sure why as I haven’t asked him for a lowdown of each area. After living in Sydney for a year I like to think I know where most places are.
‘so yeah, there’s Manly up towards the north and in the south, there is Cronulla…’
After a slight pause, he then completely switches from talking about the suburbs of Sydney to inviting me back to his flat or ‘Mansion’ as he likes to call it. Still clearly thinks he’s a bit of a Hugh Hefner. I feel my heart beat faster, going back to his flat means only one thing and that thing doesn’t mean I am going to view his stamp collection. I feel slightly nervous that we are finally going to get together but also really excited, so I continue with the flirty attitude.
’Does your Mansion have a Red Room?’
The confused look on his face makes me laugh out loud.
‘You mean the lothario that is Ryan Turner has never read Fifty Shades?’
‘Haha surprisingly not, I like to live a life of romance rather than read about it, besides I am no longer a lothario, a certain young lady has changed my view on things…’
‘Anyone I know’ I ask seductively.
‘Maybe’… he replies with a wink… ‘I can’t give you a red room but I can give you a white room and a rather tasty dinner cooked by yours truly.’
‘The dinner sounds perfect although the white room sounds a bit ominous…please explain’. I ask.
‘Well you will just have to wait and see won’t you’.
He grabs my hand to assist me back up, and after packing our stuff back in our bags we head towards Ryan’s flat. I am desperately trying to keep calm but my heart is going at such a speed I’m wondering whether I am going to end up having a cardiac arrest, meaning that again I will miss my chance with Ryan. As you can see I am quite the optimist as to how things pan out in my life.
As we reach Bondi Junction and Ryan’s flat, I notice that Ryan’s pace has slowed a little and he seems to be taking forever to open the door to his flat.
CHAPTER 28
For the first time as I enter the key in the lock of my flat, I am self-conscious as to what a girl will think of my place. Before it was always a quick in and out and if they didn’t like the pile of dirty clothes at the end of the bed or the fact I hadn’t cleaned as regularly as I should have it didn’t matter as the girl wouldn’t be making a return visit. I had no intention for her to stick around and organise me a cleaning rota.
This time it’s different. I want this girl to stay. As I let us in, I begin surreptitiously picking up bits and pieces of paper and the random thongs and shoes that are strewn across the floor. I stand cringing at lasts night’s dinner plates still left unwashed sitting in the sink and I am really hoping that this doesn’t turn Ruby off and she doesn’t walk out the door.
‘I guess the pixies and fairies didn’t get a chance to clean up for you this week Ryan?’ she says sarcastically.
‘Ah yeah sorry... I should have cleaned up a bit more than I have. I’ve just been heaps busy with work and stuff and making sure my favourite girl is okay.’
I sweep her perfectly formed body up in my arms and hope my feeble excuse and attempt at a compliment makes up for the tsunami of untidiness that consumes us in the living room.
‘Anyways Ruby before I cook dinner would you like to have a look at my white room?’
‘Ooh Ryan you are a tease…let me guess its called the white room because the walls are white like the rest of the flat?’
Dammit she's sussed it out already. Time to win back the situation by plying on the Turner charm a little.
“You are correct Miss Samuels and for that you get a little reward?’
‘Excellent…and this reward is?’
‘A night in the white room with a personal masseuse, kisser and snuggle buddy by the name of Ryan...’
I smile coyly and kiss her gently on the lips and neck and hear a slight groan part from her lips as I do so. A fire of excitement ignites in her eyes and I think I am starting to get the same feeling in my trousers. It’s time to get into this room and devour the beautiful woman in front of me.
As I gently open the door, I stand in shock as to what I see before me.
‘Hi Ryan, pleased to see me?
There in front of me is Tanya in a mint green baby doll sprawled all ove
r my bed with her kohl rimmed eyes trying to do their best to get my attention.
I just stand there completely in shock as to what is going on, finally I regain my senses;
‘What the fuck are you doing here Tanya? … How the hell did you get in?’
‘Well I hadn’t heard from you in a while and I thought I would give you a surprise…aren’t you pleased to see me?’
‘No I am not, I don’t want anything to do with you Tanya now get out and leave before I call the police for breaking and entering.’
My mind is overloaded and confused from all the emotions and questions that are running through my head. And then I realise that Ruby has witnessed the same thing I have. I look for her hand so I know she is there and that I can explain everything to her and how this woman means nothing to me.
Each time I try to grab her hand I get a fistful of air. I take my gaze of anger away from Tanya as she begins to gather her things and I then turn to Ruby with a look of tenderness and desperation. As I turn to face her I see that her beautiful blue eyes are full of tears and anger. In a croaked voice she says;
‘Clearly I was mistaken as to who I thought you were….’ She turns away and wipes her face with her hands and turns back one last time; ’Goodbye Ryan’ and with that parting farewell she heads out of the door and begins to run.
CHAPTER 29
I run as fast as my legs can take me down the apartment block stairs and push my full weight against the fire exit door. The door eventually opens to let me free and as it begins to close again I hear Ryan’s voice and it sounds like he said, ‘I love you’. I must’ve misheard. He couldn’t have really said that…or did he? I decide there is no point in turning back and I continue to pound down the pavement as the hot Australian sun scorches my back and my face.
When Love Meets Lust Page 14
