Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,129
Tom.
Confusion flickering on her face, she squeezed past several glittery drag queens engrossed in a conversation with a magazine editor famous for her orange bob and scathing fashion reviews. “Tarquin! And Tom?”
“Miss America! A pleasure as always!” Tom ground his cigarette into the floor with his shoe and did a double take over Alex’s shoulder. A frowning Naomi clutched her coat and waved him impatiently toward the exit. “Ah, gotta go! The sitter costs an absolute bomb!” Tossing back his fifth red wine, he smacked Tarquin on the back then fobbed off the empty glass to a befuddled blogger passing by. “Laters!”
Alex snickered as Tarquin held back a laugh. “Well, that was awkward. Cheers, Lex.”
“You shaved…finally!” Her eyes teased. “Hot date?”
“Hope so.” Tarquin smiled back, taking in Alex’s black and white wrap dress. “You look pretty. So, how was it, strutting your stuff for the fashionable masses?”
“I loved it!” She squeezed her phone. “I was nervous at first, but once I got out there with Lucy, I was hooked!”
“It looked like you were having a grand old time. Where’s Mark? I half-expected to see him shaking his arse up there with you.”
“He’s working late, rehearsals for a BBC radio play.”
“Ah.” Tarquin smiled. “Good for Keegan.”
Alex glanced at the flowers in his hands. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Yeah, about that…”
“Tarquin, I’m sorry, but I was sworn to secrecy. We all were.” She winced. “How’d you find out about the show?”
“Shantelle, of all people.”
Alex’s eyes widened. “Oh! You know each other?”
“No, but she found my work number online, called me up. Shantelle thought I should know Leia was in London. Nice of her, eh? An actress I’ve never met cares more about my love life than my dearest friends.”
“Oh, Tarq. It’s not like that!” Alex bristled, whisking her hand through her blonde bangs. “I wanted to tell you. So did Leia’s sister.”
“Wanted but didn’t.” He shook his head, forcing a half-smile. “You know, I had a meeting with Sarah a few weeks ago. Was Leia already here?”
Alex grimaced and nodded slowly.
Shit! It’s official. Leia despises me. He dragged his hand over his mouth and looked away. “Talk about misreading the room, eh? Leia wants fuck all to do with me.” Not that I blame her. Bowing his head, he glared at the flowers. “Guess I don’t need these anymore.” Defeated, he lowered the bouquet. “Where’s the nearest bin?”
“Tarquin…” Alex pursed her lips.
“There’s another bloke, right? The actor in the front row? Harry said she’s seeing someone.”
“No. At least, not that I know of.” Alex blinked up at him, sympathy in her eyes as she reached out, squeezing his upper arm. “Look, it’s not like Leia forced us to sign non-disclosure agreements! All she asked was that we keep quiet about her being here. She was worried if you found out, you’d call, and she wasn’t ready for that.”
Tarquin’s brows lifted. “Wasn’t ready? But Leia walked away from me.”
“Maybe she realized she made a mistake.”
What? His breath caught in his chest. “Did she say something?” Tarquin edged closer. “Alex, I need to know.”
She played with the tiny Vespa charm hanging on a dainty chain around her neck and let out an exasperated huff. “Okay—but you can’t tell her I told you!” Alex sized up her immediate vicinity, ensuring Leia wasn’t anywhere to be seen. “She asked me a few days back if you were seeing anyone. I said you weren’t.”
Seriously? She asked that?! His eyes gleamed. “And?”
“And—that was it!” Alex added nonchalantly, like she feared her disclosure created false hope. “Naomi showed up for her fitting and Leia changed the subject.”
He exhaled heavily, a frown dragging his lips.
“But for what it’s worth, I think she’s lovely. You two would be great together.”
“Mind telling Leia that?” He smiled wistfully. “If we could be half as happy as you and Mark…I want that more than anything. I want her more than anything.”
“Then talk to her.” Her gaze flew through the thick crowd, searching, only to circle back with a grimace. “It might be a challenge tonight with all these rabid fashionistas vying for her attention, but hey—you’re a risk-taker, right?”
This feels like the biggest risk of my life. “I don’t want to scare her off, though. I did that once and well, here we are.”
“But if you never tell her…” She shrugged, glancing down at her lit-up phone. “You will lose her.”
Tarquin rubbed his stubble-free chin. “Maybe I should just listen and let her talk? Take my cues from her?”