Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,98
need a top-up, I’ll give him a shout. And before you ask, no, I still haven’t told Mum or Dad about therapy, so please keep your gob shut, all right? Don’t make me regret telling you.
No doubt, you’re having a smashing time on your Bahamas bender. Text me when you’ve got your phone back, you tosser.
Cheers, Tarq
Nineteen
LEIA
New York City, three weeks later, Thursday, August 15, 2019
Pavements sizzled, sweltering tourists searched for shade, and ice cream sellers in Central Park rejoiced as the hazy lazy days of August descended on New York City. Summer wasn’t about to loosen its sweaty grip on the Big Apple any time soon, and the heatwave was making everyone, including Leia, a little hot under the collar.
Why haven’t we moved? She lowered the window of her Uber, and an airless wall of blistering heat engulfed the air-conditioned sedan. Gross! Leia’s nose scrunched. I HATE this weather. Stealing a peek at the snarled uptown traffic, she kept her phone pressed to her ear as Sarah, energized by her breezy Cornish getaway with Jordan, merrily rambled on about their adventures.
“Ley, we saw everything! The beach they used for Nampara Cove, the mines at Botallack. It was a bit of a bumpy ride—my boobs still haven’t recovered—but it was so worth it.”
Leia’s car crept forward, barely making it across the intersection before halting again. Dammit! She closed her window and twirled her fingers through her fiery red hair worn high and wavy in a flirty ponytail. I have no choice. I’ll have to hotfoot it if I want to style Shantelle in time for her Lost for Breath premiere.
“Saz, hold on a sec?” Lowering her phone, she leaned toward the driver. “I’ll hop out here—thanks.” Tote bulging with her stylist kit on her shoulder, phone and garment bags in hand, she begrudgingly traded the cool comfort of the sedan for the suffocating humidity and blazing sun beating down on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and East 48th Street.
God, it’s stifling. Three summers in, and I’m still not used to this. No wonder all the old money leaves town at this time of year.
She nudged the car door closed with her elbow and started walking, the delicate lace pleats of her outfit’s ivory skirt billowing with each hurried step. The handmade midi dress with its figure-hugging bodice, high neck, and sleeveless silhouette was elegant yet summery, ready for her first public outing as a designer and stylist to one of Hollywood’s hottest rising stars.
Okay, no biggie. She took a deep breath, ignoring the intense heat prickling her skin. It’s just the biggest night of my career so far! Let’s CRUSH this!
Picking up speed, careful not to crease Shantelle’s gown or the backup dress she’d brought along just in case, Leia slipped back into Sarah’s holiday bliss. “So, you saw all the locations for Poldark! I wish I could’ve gone! I bet the sea air was refreshing, unlike this stinky sweat-fest we’re having here.”
“It was breathtaking, Ley. Gave me serious wanderlust.”
Four city workers, t-shirts plastered to their chests from heat and exertion, looked up from a broken manhole, the cause of Third Avenue’s early-afternoon gridlock, and gave Leia’s long, bare legs appreciative stares as she passed, but their leers went unnoticed.
“See any Ross Poldark lookalikes shirtless and scything wheat?” Leia smiled, her ivory flats whisking her past overheated office workers lumbering back to work after lunch.
“Not a single one,” said Sarah, playing along. “But you, dear sister, could’ve passed for a convincing Demelza, now your hair is red again.”
“Maybe. Just don’t ask me to make Stargazy Pie!” Leia laughed as she swerved around a pack of wilting tourists, the baking hot pavement and lack of a breeze slowing everyone’s progress. “That dish is so nasty—sardine heads poking out, staring at you from the crust!”
“We tried some. It actually tastes good! All yummy custard, onions, and potatoes.”
Leia stuck out her tongue. “Two words, Saz: Fish. Heads.”
“You don’t eat their heads, silly!” Sarah laughed. “Ah, I wish we were still on vacation! I miss Cornwall already! I definitely don’t miss work.”
“Well, why didn’t you take tomorrow off?” Leia caught the eye of two iced lemonade-toting businessmen exiting a coffee shop and zeroed in on their purchases. I’d kill for a cool drink right now. My tongue feels like it’s glued to the roof of my mouth. “Going in on a Friday after a holiday is either really dedicated or really stupid.”
Sarah chuckled. “I would’ve taken tomorrow off, but I have a meeting