Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,34

the silky fabric. “Have you ever cosplayed? With a name like Leia…”

“No, Star Wars was my parents’ thing. My name is the collateral damage of their nerdiness.”

“Tarquin’s a huge Star Wars fan.” Simon dug his fork through his salad, banishing the olives to the bottom of his bowl.

Huge? “Yeah, I heard his ringtone.” Now’s the time to find out more about him. “Have you been friends long?”

“Well, I’ve known of Tarquin longer than I’ve actually been friends with him. I met him last summer through my friend Alex.” Forehead creased, he speared a pepper but didn’t eat it. He settled back in his chair, his lips twisting like he was figuring something out. “Late June, I think? He seemed nice at the time.”

Leia cocked an eyebrow. “At the time?”

“Oh, I barely said hi to the guy. It was at an event and they were on their way out. They actually broke up the next day. Tarquin went off to New York, and our paths didn’t cross again until last month. We have mutual friends, though—Harry and Lucy—so we’ve hung out a few times. We always end up talking business, much to the annoyance of Freddie and Lucy.”

A pin fell from Leia’s hand and she stooped to retrieve it. “Does Tarquin see Alex much?” She squeezed her eyes shut. Well, that sounded better in my head. Simon’s gonna think I’m jealous or interested or… shit. Stop lying to yourself—you ARE interested! She stood up and fussed with a ruffle, trying to appear nonchalant.

“They talk, yeah.” Simon shot her a wry smile. “Why?” He nibbled on the pepper.

He’s onto you. Leia shrugged, taking her time to answer. “It’s…just nice when exes stay friends.”

Simon shook his head. “I’ve never been able to manage it.”

“Me neither.” But for good reason. Leia stabbed a pin in her fabric. Before Tyler, high school Leia was in a relationship with a guy in her biology class. They broke up when he made an insensitive joke to his buddies about Sarah and her wheelchair. “I keep my distance.”

“Yeah. Tarquin can’t, though. Alex is like a sister to Harry. That’s how she met Tarq in the first place, through Harry. Their split caused ripples—Harry and Tarquin didn’t speak for a few months, but now they’re thick as thieves again. And Alex is back being friends with Tarq, too.” He set down his fork. “I give Tarquin credit. He offered the olive branch first. It couldn’t have been easy, especially with him being single and Alex happy with”—he made air quotes—“Britain’s sexiest TV star.”

“Oh my god.” Leia stopped pinning. “Who’s that?”

“Mark Keegan.”

Who? She pressed her lips together and shook her head.

“The Irish actor? Lairds and Liars?” Simon did a double take. “It’s that popular series set in 18th-century Scotland. You know, the former soldier avenging his wife’s death?”

Leia shrugged. “Never seen it.”

“You must’ve seen ads for Mark’s movie, A Promise Unspoken, though. His face is plastered on practically every double-decker bus in London.”

“Sorry.” Leia winced. “I honestly don’t know who he is.”

Simon snorted with mirth. “Well, Mark’s a huge deal here—one of the hottest actors around. Alex struggled with that at first, but they’re solid now. They’ve been together three years, I think.”

But how does Tarquin fit in?

Simon caught Leia’s furrowed brow and jumped in. “Alex and Mark split for a few months last year. Don’t ask—it’s complicated! That’s when she dated Tarquin, but the status quo has resumed—Alex is back with her soul mate Mark, and Tarquin’s playing the field again. Harry jokes it’s ‘what he does best’.” Simon picked up his tea and flashed her a knowing smirk. “But, hey, don’t let that put you off!”

Leia half-laughed, playing innocent. “Oh, I’m not looking to…you know.”

“Leia”—Simon paused above the lip of his cup—“I’m just saying, there’s nothing wrong if you were.”

Walking to Hackney Central station, Leia squeezed her phone, cursing the non-stop flutters in her stomach. This feels like I’m thirteen, calling a boy for the first time. Shouldn’t this be easier? It’s not a date-date. It’s just sex—if I haven’t put him off me, blowing hot and cold… She stopped at the traffic light, a parade of red double-decker buses loaded with rush-hour travelers creeping along congested Mare Street. Stop thinking. Just call him! Tapping his contact details, she pressed the phone to her ear.

“Hey, Leia! How are you?” Cheery and warm, he answered on the second ring. No beer glasses clinking, no loud laughter—Tarquin was still at work.

Leia pictured him, a commanding presence in his perfectly tailored