Chapter 54 Something to Look Forward To
SCARLETT
Lawrence is already gone when I wake up this morning, but I still reach across the empty side of the bed where he'd slept.
He'd left early for the London office, kissing my forehead before whispering, "I'll be back late."
His voice had that same heavy tone that hasn't left since the visit to his mum.
I lie there for a few more minutes, staring at the ceiling, my chest feeling a little sore.
I hate seeing him like this.
Giving him that gift had felt right in the moment, but now I'm restless.
I feel the need to do something more. Something that isn't just words or comfort in the dark.
His birthday is in three days.
And for once, I want to give him something normal. Something happy. Even if everything else in his world feels like it's hanging by a thread.
Sitting up, I grab my phone and text Laura before I can overthink it.
Me: Hey, quick question. Any chance you're free for a coffee this morning? I want to run something by you about Lawrence's birthday. Trying to keep it small and surprise him.
Her reply comes almost instantly.
Laura: Absolutely. Meet you at St Rosie's café in thirty?
Me: Perfect.
I shower quickly, throw on jeans and a cream sweater, then head downstairs.
The London air is crisp and damp when I step outside, and I'm grateful I wore a sweater.
I hail a cab and get in.
"St. Rosie's, please."
The cab man nods.
Laura is already there when I arrive, waving from a corner table with two steaming cups of coffee and a plate of pastries waiting.
We hug before I even sit down. "How are you holding up?" I ask softly as soon as we settle in. "And how's your mum? I've been thinking about her since our last visit."
Laura exhales. "She's okay. But, you know, some days are better than others.
I reach out and squeeze her hand. "I'm so sorry, Laura. If you ever need to talk or even just vent, I'm here."
She gives me a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. That actually means a lot." She takes a sip of her coffee, then tilts her head. "Now… what's this about Lawrence's birthday? You said you wanted to run something by me?" Laura pushes the second coffee to me, smiling again. "And why do you look so determined?"
I laugh. "Because I am."
I'm glad she's letting us shift the conversation to something lighter.
Wrapping my hands around the warm mug, I continue, "I just want to do something for him. It doesn't have to be a big party or anything that'll stress him out, or involve the press. But… something."
Laura nods.
"I know everything is heavy right now, but maybe this could give him… give all of us… one normal, good day."
Her expression softens, "Yes. I get you. And he'd love that."
"Great. The thing is, I don't know who else to invite. He never talks about friends. Does he even have any here in London?"
Laura laughs. "Lawrence has a very small circle. Painfully small. Most people either want something from him or are terrified of him. The only people he actually lets in are… well, me. And Tom."
"Tom?"
"Tom Nelson. His childhood best friend." Laura explains.
"They grew up together before Lawrence went off to build his empire. Tom's in Greece right now on some architecture project, but I can call him." She takes a sip of her coffee. "He'll drop everything and fly in. He always does for Lawrence."
I feel a mix of nerves and excitement at the same time. "So… just the four of us? You, me, Tom, and Lawrence?"
Laura gives me a small nod.
That's an awfully small circle of friends.
I quickly do the math in my head. Take Laura out, she's his sister. Take me out, I'm his girlfriend. That leaves just one friend.
One.
It feels kind of pathetic. A man as powerful and brilliant as Lawrence Moore, and he only has one real friend in the entire world?
"Four is perfect," Laura says, already pulling out her phone. "I'll text Tom now. He'll curse me for the short notice and then show up with a bottle of something ridiculous and a story that'll make Lawrence laugh until he forgets how heavy the last few weeks have been."
"That sounds perfect."
We spend the next twenty minutes hammering out the details—what time everyone should arrive, how to keep Lawrence distracted until the surprise, what kind of drinks to have on hand. Laura promises to handle the whiskey and a few of Lawrence's favourite snacks from that little deli he likes.
By the time we finish our coffees, I feel better than I have in days.
I hug Laura goodbye outside the café. "Thank you, Laura."
"No, thank you," she says, squeezing me back. "For caring about him this much."
I take another cab to the bakery after that, a beautiful little place whose directions I was able to find on the internet.
Lawrence mentioned once in passing.
The tantalising smell of fresh bread and sugar hits me the second I walk in.
Glass cases filled with pastries, glossy tarts, and cakes that look almost too pretty to eat, line the walls,
The woman behind the counter smiles when I give her my name.
"The woman behind the counter smiles warmly when I approach. "Good afternoon. How can I help you?"
I pull out my phone and show her the short list I made with Laura. "I need to place an order for delivery in three days. It's for a very small birthday gathering, just four of us."
"Alright, ma'am."
" I'd like the chocolate espresso cake with the dark chocolate ganache, two dozen assorted pastries, the mini sandwiches, and a champagne setup. Plus a few bottles of sparkling water and those fancy Italian sodas."
She nods, already tapping notes into her tablet. "We can absolutely do that. Delivery to your address on the morning of the 17th?"
"Perfect," I say.
She works out the details and shows me a few cake-topper options, but I decline.
"No cake topper or anything like that. Just write 'Happy Birthday, my love' across the top in something elegant. That's all."
She smiles in understanding. "That's lovely. We'll do it in a soft gold icing so it stands out beautifully against the dark ganache."
After paying and confirming the exact delivery window, I watch her print the order slip.
Before I leave, I snap a quick photo of the rich, dark, but perfect cake design displayed on her tablet.
Then I send it to Laura.
Me: Just placed the full order. Chocolate espresso cake, all the pastries, sandwiches, and champagne. Delivery in three days. We're really doing this. Omg. Nervous emoji
Laura: He's going to hate how much he loves this. Tom's flight is booked. We're all set. Love emoji
I smile, stepping back out onto the street,
I feel good because I'm not just reacting to Lawrence's heavy days, I'm doing something about it.
I'm creating something good for him.
Something that says I see you.
I can give him one normal, happy day where the only thing he has to do is blow out candles and let himself be loved.
I just hope it all turns out well.