I can hear the smile in Felix’s voice. “She didn’t have to. It was obvious with the way she said it.”
“I don’t know…I don’t want to rush things…”
“All right, well, let me put it this way. How would you feel if Tash was dating someone else?”
“I…” Actually, the idea makes me feel a little weird. And in a very surprising realisation, when I think of Rachel with someone else, I don’t feel nearly as conflicted.
Felix interprets my silence as a victory. “See?”
“Okay. I’m not promising anything, but I’ll think about it.”
“Excellent. Tash would be good for you. You need someone grounded like her.”
“You know what? Maybe I do.”
“I knew you’d come around eventually. Go call her now!”
“Uh, no. It’s almost 10pm. I’ll wait until a decent hour.”
“Rockstars don’t wait until ‘decent hours.’”
I shake my head. “Goodbye, Felix. I’ll see you soon.”
I hang up and look into space. The guy has a point. Tash is definitely someone I need in my life.
I just have to make sure I don’t do anything stupid and mess it up.
NINETEEN
Tash
It’s been just under two weeks since I last saw Lincoln when I get another delivery. This time, it’s not flowers, but an envelope.
Upon opening it, I find several things:
1. Tickets to Lincoln’s Sydney show tomorrow night
2. An airline ticket for tomorrow to Sydney
3. A handwritten message
Tash, please come to Sydney. I’ve already talked to Millicent, and she’s lined up to look after Daisy. Felix says you can stay in his spare room. He wants to see you!
(So do I.)
Lincoln.
I laugh out loud. If I had any singing talent myself, I’d be feeling just like Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born right now. This kind of thing doesn’t happen to me. And I can’t believe Millicent didn’t tip me off. I call her immediately.
“I thought I was the one you were supposed to be loyal to!” I tease.
“Ah. You got the tickets.”
“Yes! And you didn’t warn me!”
“Lincoln wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I’m not sure I should go.”
“Then don’t.”
“What do you think I should do?”
“Whatever the hell you want. You’re a grown woman.”
“But what if he wants to…you know…”
She cackles. “You mean, what if he wants to screw your brains out? Isn’t that what you’ve wanted for forever?”
“I…I don’t know. Maybe. But what if I’m just a groupie to him?”
“He doesn’t need to fly a groupie down to Sydney. I’m sure he could find plenty of women after the show down there if he just wanted a one-nighter.”
“So, you think he’s serious?”
“I’m not a mind reader. You’ll need to ask him that for yourself.”
“I don’t want to get hurt, Missy.”
“I know, hon. But sometimes you have to just go with the flow. See what happens.”
“Okay. And you’re sure you’ll be fine to look after Daisy?”
“Of course. I’ve got a hot date next week, so I’ll need you to reciprocate.”
“Yes, definitely. Who’s the date?”
“His name is Constantinos. He’s just moved to Australia from Greece.”
“Oh, I hope it goes well.”
“Me, too.”
We talk a bit longer about our week, and then I hang up. I text Lincoln.
Thank you for the tickets. I’d love to see your show. But don’t get any ideas!
I send it before I have a chance to change my mind.
He writes back straight away. What ideas might they be? He posts a winking emoji beside it.
Me: You know exactly what I mean. Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow. Can you give me Felix’s address?
Lincoln: He’ll pick you up from the airport. All you have to do is get on the plane.
Me: You’ve got it all worked out, haven’t you?
Lincoln: It’s my way of apologising properly for my behaviour after the show in Brisbane.
Me: You have nothing to apologise for. But thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.
Tomorrow suddenly seems both too soon and too far away.
But regardless, I’m cautiously excited to see where this leads.
***
For the entire flight to Sydney the next day, I’m all jittery. Anyone looking at me would think I’m scared of flying, but it’s quite the opposite. I love travelling. I’m not sure what the plan is once I land, so I’m already dressed appropriately in case we go straight out, in a form-fitting knee-length black skirt and a sparkly top. I even begged my hairdresser to touch up my colour at late notice, and she used a special dye that will produce an extra-cool effect tonight.
Once I land, I spot Felix right away. He’s pretty tall and by far the best-dressed guy waiting outside the arrival gate. Plus, he’s holding a little sign with my name on it as if he’s a chauffeur.
He sees me immediately, too. “Tash, you look gorgeous as always.” He gives me a hug and insists on taking my bag out to his car, where it’s waiting in some fancy valet parking zone.
I get in that luxurious Audi, and Felix begins the drive over to Manly where he lives.
“Do you want to be a complete tourist and drive across the Harbour Bridge? Or are you happy to take the tunnel?”
“I’m fine with the tunnel. I assume it’s a little quicker?”
“About ten minutes,” he confirms.
“Then, yes, let’s do that.”
“Have you visited Sydney often in the past?” he asks.
“Not really. Maybe a handful of times in total, including when I met you. And I haven’t been to Manly since I was a teenager.”
“It hasn’t changed a lot. Well, I don’t think it has.”
“You’re lucky to live near one of the country’s most famous beaches.”
“I know.”
“Have you spoken to Lincoln today?”
“Yes. He was hoping he’d be able to get away before the show, but the band is doing some media thing beforehand, and then they have a soundcheck.”
“Ah.”
“So, I was thinking we’d have a few drinks at my place, and either eat in or grab something on the way to the show, and then Uber over to the venue. They’re playing at The Enmore Theatre.”
“That’s a pretty well-known place, huh?”
“It is. I think they’re expecting over a thousand people tonight.”
“That is awesome. It was very kind of Lincoln to invite me.”
“Well, he never stops talking about you, so I told him if he wanted you in his life, he needed to start making an effort.”
Warmth flows throughout my body. “That’s sweet and all, but I’m sure he’s still got a lot to process after what happened with Rachel.”
“Yes, but if he dwells on the past, it will take him a lot longer to move on. Besides, I never liked Rachel. I couldn’t tell Link that because she had him wrapped around her little finger, but I always knew there was something shady about her. Now I know I was right.”