Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,60

it Millie to get on my wick.”

“Nice to see it’s working.” Simon’s sarcastic grin dissolved. “But…this week’s been hard for Leia. I feel terrible, watching her struggle, knowing I played a part. I should’ve trashed Liam ages ago. He’s stubborn and belligerent just like his stupid namesake.”

Belligerent Liam. Of course. Tarquin squinted at his phone. “By chance, would that be Liam from Oasis? You’re a fan? Since when?”

“Freddie’s the fan. He named it!” Simon smiled. “And yes, he named the other machine Noel. Noel’s more reliable than Liam, less prone to throwing a hissy fit. Anyway, I made Leia swap with me.”

“That was kind of you,” said Tarquin, glancing anxiously at his Rolex.

“Yeah, too kind. The day after, I was pulling my hair out. But you’ll never guess what Leia did?!” Simon looked away.

“Er…swapped back and sewed by hand?”

“See for yourself…” Simon flipped his phone’s camera around, his feed landing on a bolt of cerise pink chiffon sprawled beside a sewing machine.

Tarquin stared blankly at the screen. “Uh…Si, I don’t know what I’m looking at.”

“Leia bought me a new machine.” Simon’s pointing finger invaded the screen. “This is it!”

Tarquin’s eyes widened. “She bought you that?”

“I know! It showed up this morning and my jaw hit the floor!”

That’s so generous of her. “You naming this one, too?” Tarquin joked.

Simon’s off-camera snicker was barely audible over the thundering bang of a recycling truck hitting a pothole beyond the alley. “I insisted on paying her back, but she refused, said it’s a thank you gift for my hospitality.”

A thank you gift? Already? Tarquin leaned in, seeking clarity. But she’s only been at Si’s for a week or so. Why is she thanking him now? “Is she headed back to New York before the 18th?”

“No.” Simon reversed his camera, capturing his head shake. “Don’t think so.”

“But she’s heard back about that full-time museum job by now, yeah”

“Nope. Not a word, not even about a second interview. Every day she comes in, waiting, hoping. I feel bad for her. I wish they’d just tell her she didn’t get it so she can move on.”

“So, you think she’ll stay?”

Simon shrugged. “I guess it depends. I know she’s happy being with her sister and she likes London…why don’t you drop in and ask her? She could use a break. If that blush was anything to go by, I think she’d be pleased to see you.”

I’d love to see her. Tarquin winced. “But I can’t just drop in. You know how hookups work, mate. Leia set some pretty strict rules.”

“Since when do you follow rules?”

Since Leia made them. I want to respect her wishes. “She was pretty clear about what she wanted, Si. Socializing together with friends—you—is a no-go. I don’t want to do anything that’ll fuck things up.”

Simon’s purposeful smile beamed through the screen. “I think the only way you’ll fuck it up is if you keep your distance.”

He’s got a point.

“So, get your ass over here,” said Simon. “If you leave now, you’ll catch her before she’s done for the day.”

A jolt of movement caught the corner of Tarquin’s eye. A man, phone aloft, was backing up on the sidewalk, snapping photos of the pub. Is that blueprint bloke? Stretching his wrist, Tarquin checked the time. Bugger! He’s early!

“You won’t have many chances left, Tarq. She’s flying home in four days.”

“I know, but…” The photographer hurried away, vanishing from Tarquin’s view. Shit! I can’t lose this deal. I need this pub! He grabbed his hard hat and rushed down the alley, squeezing past the smelly dumpster, and reemerged on the sun-drenched sidewalk, the bustle of hungry Londoners on their lunchbreak swallowing him up.

“Hey?” Simon squinted. “You okay?”

Tarquin pushed through the crowd. “Si, I’ve got a work emergency. Talk later.” Stashing his phone in his suit jacket, his hard stare flitted up, catching the Tex-Mex franchisee and the joyless broker, clipboard stuffed under his arm, shaking hands in the pub’s doorway.

Thirteen

LEIA

The next day

Leia stifled another yawn and tilted her head, studying the cerise pink chiffon draped over the curves of her dress form. Showcasing a gathered bodice with a plunging V-shaped neckline, the floor-length gown was elegant and glamorous, temporarily sleeveless, and held together with an army of pins. Is it too much boob? Shantelle wants a killer ass, but I think she can pull off both. Twisting her lips, Leia fussed with the silk again and stepped back, glancing over her shoulder. “Simon, what do you think? Was the heart-shaped neckline better?” She stared at her