This Could Have Been Our Song!: A coulda woulda shoulda ballad Read Online Free PDF

Lucia explained.
    “ So, ‘Just’; never heard of that last name before, especially so close to the Highlands,” Noor said.
    And she was serious, I thought, laughing.
    “I’m so sorry,” Lucia mouthed. “Noor, his name is not Just; it’s just Marcus,” she told her sister, finishing her drink, “for now.”
    Now was the perfect time to tell who I really was and we could all have a laugh about it. But all I could say was, “So, what are you ladies doing here tonight?” Pathetic; I knew exactly why there were there.
    “ Well, Marcus,” Noor said. “Would you believe that I’m the older sister?” She put her left hand to her neck, showcasing her big engagement ring. “I’m getting married in London this fall.”
    “ Oh really?” I silently asked Lucia.
    “ Really,” she mimed then she addressed Noor. “Honey, tonight is not about you.” She hugged her and laughed a very sweet, loving laugh. “Focus, please.”
    Noor burst out laughing. “Alright. My baby sister here is a year older tomorrow,” she told me, caressing Lucia’s cheek. “But really,” she added, looking at me, “if I wasn’t getting married –”
    “ Nooradine!” Lucia said.
    “ Okay, okay! I have to call my fiancé anyway, to tell him I still want to marry him,” she joked. “He’s a keeper you know, my Andrew.” She walked away but not before giving Lucia two thumbs up.
    “ Please get me another drink,” Lucia said. She then came closer to me. “She’s a gem, a crazy gem but a gem nonetheless.”
    This was another perfect moment to come clear. I got a little closer and the smell of vanilla and cocoa butter hit me and I just kept staring into her eyes – large, hypnotic, dark grey.
    “ Are you in Toronto for business?” she asked, her sight drifting from me and back to my table where John and Nella were still sitting.
    “ Why can’t I be a local? You know, an import .”
    “ Well, let’s see.” She took a step back to look at me, a wicked smile on her face. “Don’t get me wrong; this place is all about who is who, but you’re so well dressed and groomed. You haven’t been corrupted by Toronto yet.”
    I laughed. She was good. I was a different dresser than the rest of the crowd. I have been a different dresser all my life. My dark-grey suit jacket was a designer one, but I always got them fitted.
    “Hold on,” I said. “I’m groomed? Don’t men enjoy personal hygiene in Toronto?”
    “ They do,” she smiled, “but not the posh way,” she added with a perfect London accent. “That’s right; I can switch back into it, especially after a few drinks,” she smirked and winked at me.
    “ Luce… Can I call you Luce?” I asked her. She nodded yes. “Happy Birthday. It’s midnight.”
    She checked her phone. “Oh, already? Thank you, ‘Just Marcus’. This has been the best couple of weeks ever!” She looked around. “Now where is my –”
    “ Happy Birthday, sweetie!” Noor shouted, behind us with a few drinks in her hands. She gave Lucia a glass of champagne and handed me a shot. “To my favorite sibling – don’t tell Axelle. And to Second Coming!” she toasted before she and Lucia emptied their drinks.
    “ Delicious,” they murmured at the same time.
    I emptied my shot too. It was disgusting. What the bloody hell was that? I looked at Lucia.
    “ I know,” she mimed. “Thanks for the drinks, Noor,” she added louder. “This is going straight to my head.”
    “ Thank you for the shot Noor; you really shouldn’t have.” The bloody awful testing shot. It’s all over  my face I’m sure. I couldn’t believe she just mentioned Second Coming. It was time to walk away, before causing too much damage, but instead I said, “Do you want to come and sit at my table?”
    Noor and Lucia shared a conspiring look.
    “Thank you. We’d love to,” Lucia said.
    Not exactly what I had planned. On our way to the table I ordered a bottle of champagne.
    “Lucia, Noor, meet my good mate John