Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,30
at her and pushed the left-hand rim, swerving right onto Roman Way, a quiet side street with low-rise red brick apartments.
“So, how do you feel? About your presentation?” asked Leia. “Nervous?”
“No, I’m more annoyed I have to wait until after lunch. I’d like to get it over with.”
“Well, whenever you do it, you’re gonna kill it. You know your stuff better than anyone—and they love you! They were all raving about you on New Year’s—if you don’t get the promotion, I’ll be shocked! Promise you’ll text me after?”
“Yep.” Sarah nodded, swerving around a tree leaning over the edge of the sidewalk. “What are you sewing today?”
“I’m finishing your denim skirt so you’ll stop stealing mine.”
Sarah beamed. “Yours are the only ones I can get on and off easily.”
“I’m also making a prom dress for my coworker’s daughter. She wants ‘ballerina gone bad’. It’ll be sleeveless with a traditional ballerina neckline, but I’m going to scatter crystals along the bodice for some sparkle and add flirty tiers to the skirt. They’ll twirl and move when she dances. It’ll be badass but cute.”
“Sounds adorable. That Simon guy is pretty great, eh? Letting you use his space.”
“Yeah! I might even get it done before I head back to New York. He’s such a nice guy.”
“And what about his friend?”
Argh. She’s so predictable. “What about him?” Leia looked away, her voice flat.
“Is he a candidate for your no-strings sex project?”
Well, at least she stopped being judgmental. Leia pursed her lips. “Um, maybe.”
“I knew it! You would’ve been home earlier if you weren’t hitting it off.” Intermittent drops of rain dotted the pavement and Sarah’s glasses. “So, did you two make hookup plans for later?”
“Jeez, this weather…” Leia pulled up her hood. “I grabbed your umbrella—do you want it?”
“No!” Sarah shook her head. “Tell me! Stop avoiding. Why didn’t you arrange something?!”
Wincing, Leia gave the right of way to an older gentleman walking two Yorkshire terriers wearing matching Arsenal football club sweaters.
Sarah craned her neck, watching the tiny pups scramble past. “Oh…okay. I get it. He’s fugly, right?”
“No! He’s very attractive, actually. Hair to die for, killer body, and dimples for days. He was flirty and funny. Smelled incredible. Self-aware, too. That’s rare these days.”
“Yeah, and it’s even rarer to find someone like that without a girlfriend or boyfriend.” Sarah frowned. “So, he’s seeing someone?”
“No, he’s single. But that makes me wonder”—Leia blew out her cheeks—“what’s wrong with him?”
Sarah chuckled above her scarf. “More like what’s wrong with you, girl.”
Leia threw her sister a dirty look and dove into her tote, digging out Sarah’s compact umbrella, its retro rose print a much-needed touch of spring on a drizzly winter’s day.
“Well, there is a lot of dishy gossip about you and Ty online. Maybe he Googled you? Some guys might be put off by that.”
“Tarquin couldn’t have seen it. He doesn’t know Tyler’s name or occupation.” Leia unfastened the snap on the umbrella. “And all that trash is searchable under Leia McClelland, not Leia Scott. I know, I’ve checked.”
“So, what is the problem? Not his Star Wars obsession? Oh my god, are you worried he likes to role-play?” Sarah peeked up at Leia. “He’ll definitely want to show you his lightsaber.”
“Shut up!” Leia laughed, settling into a sigh as she clicked the button on Sarah’s flowery umbrella and it bloomed above her head. “Ah, it just sucks. I am attracted to him…” Her eyes trailed over a small corner shop standing shoulder to shoulder with an Ethiopian restaurant.
“But he’s not that into you?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m pretty sure he likes me.”
“Well, you’re the one with the silly ‘no dating guys into Star Wars’ rule! And you said it yourself, Ley—it’s just sex. It’s not like he’s going to be your new husband.”
“I know, but there’s something else.” Leia bit her lip. “He’s…rich.”
“And that’s a problem?” Sarah shook her head. “Tyler was rich, too, you know.”
“Yeah, he is now—playing hockey—but he didn’t grow up that way. Not like Tarquin. He’s old money—there’s a massive difference.” She tilted the umbrella so it covered Sarah, too. “I Googled his family last night on the way home. The Balfours used to be in the oil business, but now his dad owns a sports apparel chain—Sports Now?”
“He owns that?” Sarah gaped as she checked for traffic and rolled down a dropped curb into MacKenzie Road. “I’m pretty sure that’s Britain’s biggest sporting goods retailer! Jordan buys all his basketball stuff there!”
Leia nodded, crossing the road beside her sister. “His family