* * *

I pulled up outside Lucy’s and beeped the horn. Lucy opened her door a kissed a half naked Travie goodbye. Lucy had a fabulous apartment in the on trend borough of Fulham. She had worked ridiculously hard have the luxury of owning it. Lucy ran her own Graphic design company, they were filled to the brim with corporate clientele begging to use her company’s services. She was the best in London and everyone knew it. She was featured in numerous magazines being the born and breed London business woman of the year. The best quality Lucy exuded was her humbleness. She was not start struck, pretentious or anything other than the girl I had known since school. The successes of her company lead her to having a studio full of designers ready to meet demand allowing her to spread her wings and fly for her twelve month Globe trotting expedition.

“Things are going well then”, I said as she climbed into the passenger seat.

“Mmmmhmmm, too well, I am wondering where the catch is”.

“I am sure there isn’t one”.

Travie was in an indie rock band, he was the lead vocal and had such a sensual raspy voice. We were going to one of his more intimate gigs tonight at The Scene. I was really excited to see them play. First thing was first though, Wedding dress.

* * *

The door was held open for us as we walked through the modern glass fronted building. I looked around the showroom full of beautifully hand crafted gowns.

“My name is Claire, how may I help you today?” The pretty assistant smiled over. She was warm and considerate and exuded confidence.

“I get married in three weeks and need a dress, is that going to be possible?”

“Although we cannot have a custom made dress for you ready in time we do have a few readymade ones which you can choose from. I am guessing you are a size eight?”

“Yes”, I was quite impressed with her observation.

“Can I ask your name?”

“Oh, of course, I’m Evie.”

“Thank you. Evie if you follow me into the changing rooms I will bring out the selection we have in a size eight for you”.

“Thank you”. Wow this was amazing.

Claire led me through the boutique and Lucy trailed behind me, we were both in awe of the chandeliers, pastel damask wallpaper and soft plush furnishings. Claire indicated to a velvet pink chair for Lucy to sit on.

“I won’t be a moment.”

Claire disappeared through the deep plum crushed velvet curtains which disguised a doorway at the back of the couture boutique. Less than two minutes later she had arrived with a selection of three beautifully detailed dresses. As she hung them on the silver rail above me my eyes clung to one dress in particular, it was perfect, it was me.

“Can I try this one on first?” I couldn’t quite shade the eagerness from my voice.

Claire smiled at my enthusiasm, reached over and unhooked it from the cream satin hanger. As I stepped into the centre of the dress Claire helped lift it up over my hips and across my bust. I turned to look in the mirror as she buttoned the tiny silk buttons on the back of the dress. I let out a relieved sigh. This was it, this was ‘the one’. I traced my hands over the soft beaded lace and across the finely finished sweetheart neckline. It was beautifully vintage in design and was everything I had ever imagined my wedding dress to be. I imagined myself walking down the aisle, my dress flowing behind me. Gazing outwards at all of the guests. Seeing their smiling faces. As I walk to the end of the aisle I would stop just inches away from my groom, Connor.

I shook the absurd thought from my head.

“I’ll take this one please”,

“Are you sure you don’t want to try the others?” She giggled.

“Positive, I love it”. I had a huge grin on my face as I walked through the curtain into the showing area. Lucy looked up and I could see water fill her glistening eyes. Lucy never cries.

“You look stunning Evie, its perfect” she beamed over to me.

“It’s the one!”

I slipped out of the dress and reluctantly handed it to Claire.

“I will just pop this in its protective bag for you. If you get dressed and then head to the counter I will process it through the till for you”.

I felt so in awe of how beautiful that dress had made me feel. Bittersweet regret swamped me; I wish my mum was here to see me, to hold my hand. Silently I tilted my head back, looking up. The ceiling disintegrated from my view as I closed my eyes. I love you mum.

I walked over to the counter, giddy with excitement. I handed her my Mastercard and £2,500 was rung through. It was mine. Officially. Arm in arm Lucy and I walked out of the shop and headed back to hers to get ready for the gig.

* * *

“Where is Travie?”

“Him and the band are already at The Scene setting up and doing their sound check, so we have the place to ourselves. Lex is on her way over.”

A knock at the door sounded Alexis’ arrival.

“Hey baby sis,” I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.

“I come baring gifts.” Lex held up two bottles of white wine and a bag of Doritos.

Lucy rushed over to her barely containing her excitement for her favourite past time, alcohol and junk food.

We laughed and giggled. Sipping on glasses of sparkling white wine and munching on the chilli heat wave of the Doritos. Dancing around Lucy’s front room in our undies to the blaring music which poured through her speakers, singing along. Badly. We must have sounded something between cats being strangled and nails dragging down along a chalk board. When it reached 7pm we realised we really did have to pull ourselves away from the mini-party we had started. We began to apply our make-up, all standing next to each other squeezing and huddling in front of the solitary mirror which was perched on top of the cream painted dressing table. My blue eyes outlined in smoky kohl, cheeks blushed with rose powder and finished with a light lavishing of nude lip-gloss.

“Mmmmhmmm so, who are you getting all sexy for?” Lucy smirked over to me.

“No one” I returned, almost too quickly, like a pre-fabricated response which gave me no room for error. “Just myself, you know, it’s nice to look, um… nice”.

Lucy and Lex glanced at each other, communicating purely through thought and eye signals, it was un-nerving. Fits of giggles erupted from them both.

“Sorry, just teasing, Connor’s not going to be there anyway”.

My heart skipped at the sound of his name. Flutters of emotions swarmed in my stomach. A moment of longing ebbed its way into my mind. Having the confirmation that Connor would not be there suddenly made my attempt at looking good feel worthless.

“Oh, so you wanted him there then?” Lucy had read my face.

“Leave her alone Luce” Lex playfully snapped over.

Finally we began to slip into our attire for the evening ahead. Lucy was wearing a plum coloured body-con dress. It was sexy as hell and she sure had the figure for it. If anyone could pull that look off it was her. Her curls fell to just below her shoulders. A glowing golden complexion accentuated her dark smoky eye make-up. Her legs we perfectly toned and seemed to go on forever until they met with her black Jimmy Choo strappy sandals.

Lex wore a blood red tulip dress, with a scooped neckline highlighting her perfectly formed chest. She had straightened her jet back hair and it contrasted so dramatically against her dress, falling just below her bust. She had finished her look with a pair of six inch platform ankle boots, she was rocking the look.

I was more reserved in my dress choice. Wearing a strapless knee length pencil dress, it was navy in colour and had a slight sheen to it which added a subtle edge of glamour. I finished my look with my nude patent Louboutin pumps and my gold clutch.

The cab horn sounded, making us aware of its presence.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

“Let’s go.” I let out with a little squeal.

* * *

The Scene had a different vibe to Mahiki, it was sensual and a little more intimate, not the usual bustling club. This was more mature and inviting. There were clusters of people sat around tables in front of the stage. Dim lighting warmed the bold stage and the bands instruments were set up ready for them to play.

We streamlined through the collective audience until we arrived at our table. Travie, Mitch and Callum were sitting looking like the complete rock star package. Simple t-shirts with baggy jeans, tousled hair and sneakers, they took the sultry urban look to the new extreme.

“Jake and Connor are at the bar.” Travie called over to Lucy.

Connor? My heart started to thud against my chest, apprehensive about the impending meeting we were going to have. Lucy smirked at me seeing how flustered I had become after hearing his name.

“I thought he wasn’t coming” I hissed to Lucy. If I had know I could have prepared myself but thinking he was going to be an absent void in our evening allowed my body to surcome to the realisation that Connor was a lustful fantasy that my body yearned for.

“I didn’t think he was,” her voice full of sincerity. “Travie said Connor was reluctant to come because of the situation with you.”

Sadness filtered through my bloodstream. My mind jolted back to the memory of his face, torn, at my heartless request for him to leave.

“Hey Evie, you ok?” His voice made every hair on the nape of my neck stand to attention. His warm breath was inviting and sensual. My body was in tuned to his voice. Sweet desired pooling between my thighs.

“I’m good thanks Connor”, I smiled sweetly at him.

Connor turned and redirected his focused back on his discussion with Jake. My desire was short lived. He was blunt, not acknowledging my presence. His back formed a harsh outline, not that I had a right to expect anything else from him. I had kicked him out of my bed after he looked after me. I am such a bitch.

“The Urbs are gonna be fab aren’t they” Lucy beamed over too me, pride warming the excitement in her voice.

“I know, I can’t wait, do you want a drink, I’m just going the bar?”

“Half a shandy please gorgeous” and blew me a kiss.

“Lex do you want one?”

“Yeah please hun, a Malibu and pineapple please”.

I slipped away walking over to the bar. My body could not resist the urge to look over at Connor. I couldn’t quite contain my excitement. He was looking directly at me. Intense eyes seeking through to the core of my soul, yet still deep in conversation with Jake. I smiled meekly, his face stayed hard, no flinch of emotion showing. Completely unreadable.

The bar was heaving with queues of people. It seemed as if everyone in the club had decided to purchase a drink at the same moment as one another. It was packed, heaving with bodies tightly packed together. I tried to muscle in between two pretty large guys. The smell of odor was overpowering me. I took a step back feeling slightly light headed from the pungent mixture of stale beer, cigarettes and perspiration. I walked slightly further down the long dark wooden bar and managed to find a space just large enough for me to slip into.

“Whatcha having Miss?”

“Half a shandy, Malibu and pineapple and a sparkling white, thanks”.

I started to hum along to the voice of Kelly Clarkson, finding myself gently moving my body to her words. I gasped when I felt a hand slip around my waist. I would just have to tell Connor I meant no. My body tensed instantly as the hand rose to grope my breast. I glanced at it being repulsed by the sight of thick wiry hairs spraying from the hand. It wasn’t Connor. I started to quiver at the thought of an unknown man touching me. I tried to pull away from his grotesque movement but his vice like grip was hard and cold, pinning me into place. The volatile smell of stale whisky made my body shudder.

“Mmmhmmm you smell mighty fine, you tight little piece of ass”.

I tried to pull away again but the bar was so busy and loud no one realized my desperation.

“Get of me”, I said through clenched teeth, biting away my overwhelming desire to cry.

“Well that wouldn’t be fun now would it, especially with a body like this”, his hands traced my waist and moved to the curve of my buttocks.

I started to shake involuntary. Wishing for my mind to focus, contemplating the best way to remove myself from his grasp.

With a sudden movement his hands released me. I inhaled deeply filling my lungs with the much needed oxygen that I was restricting them from in his hold. I pivoted around to see Connor standing between me and the jack-ass. Connors first clenched and tightened as he pulled his arm back. His bicep was tense, larger than I had ever seen before. His knuckles were as white as snow straining against his flesh. He released it and swung forward. With an echoing crack the spineless jerk was on the floor clutching his bloodied face. He whimpered, collectively gathering his feet together,