Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,83

enjoying it!” Should I tell her my secret? It would be a huge relief to finally spill to someone who understands. “So, you still go? To therapy?”

“Yep, when things get a bit much. You can’t cure anxiety or depression, but you can learn how to tame ’em.” Leia fussed with her bun, tucking in another loose strand as her smile grew. “So, what were we talking about again? Before I hijacked our conversation?”

Hijacked? No! It’s been a breath of fresh air, talking about these things. Tarquin scratched his chin. “Uh, quitting your museum job and…designing full-time.”

“Oh, right! Yeah, maybe. I mean, it is my goal. Although, right now, I’d miss the industry contacts the Met gives me and all the fashion history at my fingertips. My coworkers laugh—I’m constantly swooning over the vintage fabrics, the craftsmanship. Every day is like Christmas. But to me, they’re not just pretty to look at. They inspire me to be a better designer. I’m always learning, trying to figure out how to apply their old techniques to my garments.” Her lips softened into a nostalgic grin. “An education like that…”

“Is priceless.” The thought of leaving it behind breaks her heart.

“Yep.” Leia picked at the fingers of her gloves. “But the creative freedom of doing Frill-Seekers 24/7 is almost too exciting to ignore. In a way, working here on Shantelle’s gown has given me a peek into my future.”

“And do you like what you see?”

“I won’t lie. It’s scary as hell”—she met Tarquin’s lingering gaze and smiled—“but yeah, I do.”

“You’ll have to text me photos of Frill-Seekers’ debut on the red carpet.”

“Okay, sure.” Shifting aside, Leia allowed a group of exuberant Americans clutching Bridge Theatre programs to pass. “So, what do you have planned for this year? More property acquisitions? A trip or two?”

I don’t want to think about this, how empty my life will be without her. On Friday, she’ll move on, emotionally, geographically—sexually. I won’t hear about her distaste for hot bevvies or how therapy is going, what she likes on pizza or in bed. We’ll be strangers again, a brief footnote in each other’s story. Tarquin cleared his throat. “I’ll be overseeing the church and cinema projects, and Simon gave me a lead on an interesting Victorian pub in Hackney. It would be a great get. I’m a sucker for old boozers. Think I should go for it?”

“Definitely. Snap it up before someone else does.”

I wish I could snap her up before someone else does. Lost in her smile again, Tarquin’s heart ached. Two weeks of effortless friendship and mind-blowing sex. Two weeks of Leia never asking for more and me never demanding more. But it’s not enough. Not anymore. Tomorrow, I’ll leave my bed with the scent of her on my skin, the taste of her on my tongue, and the heartbreaking fear she’ll meet someone else, giving them everything—all the secrets, feelings, and dreams I’m not allowed to have. He looked ahead, hoping he didn’t give himself away. “I’m actually seeing it Friday.”

“So, I’ll be on a plane, and you’ll be adding another amazing property to your portfolio. Life goes on, eh?” A hint of melancholy weaved through her words as she looped her bag over her wrist and tugged on her gloves.

Yeah, without you. “I guess life can’t be all snooker table sex, ice skating, and unicorns at IKEA.”

Leia’s chin dipped. “When will you see Ava?”

“Soon. Rupert told her about the unicorn—I reckon the bastard did it on purpose.” He chuckled, his eyes combing Potters Fields Park and its riverside cluster of bare trees and sleepy lawns. “It’s one way to get me up there. Ava will flood my phone with cute messages until it’s in her arms. I’ll visit soon and go back again in the fall for the baby’s baptism.”

“Aw, a new addition. That’s lovely.”

“Thing is, it won’t be all fairy cakes and sandwiches without crusts. It’ll probably dissolve into a huge piss-up with Nick shagging some old girlfriend and Mum saying inappropriate things. That’s IF she goes. She’s not a fan of Orkney.”

“How come?”

“She’s not much of a nature lover, mother dearest. She gets bored with the limited options for nightlife, and if there isn’t a Harvey Nichols within reach, she starts to hyperventilate.” A nippy gust of wind blew along the waterfront, bobbing the strings of twinkly lights.

“Well, I hope she visits for Ava’s sake,” said Leia. “Will you go climbing?”

“Maybe. Depends. Sometimes they get four seasons in one day and the winds can be