Page 10 of For My Finale
When Blossom turned around, Lilah was gawking at her. “That’s the bull. The actual bull that just chased me through a field and tried to kill me.”
Blossom scratched Billy’s nose again as he chewed on his carrot, like he was a particularly large dog. “He wasn’t chasing you, I’m sure. He’s a good boy. He just likes company is all.”
“He likes company?” repeated Lilah, incredulous. “He tried to murder me!”
“He probably just wanted snacks,” Blossom said, as Billy withdrew his nose and lumbered back across the garden.
Lilah let out a noise of pure exhaustion and dropped her head into her hands.
“Bit dramatic, aren’t you?” Blossom said, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
“You say that like it’s news,” said Lilah, head still in her hands.
Blossom watched her, trying to take it all in. Lilah Paxton was in her kitchen. Lilah Paxton was sitting on one of her chairs. Lilah Paxton was… dripping wet and, to be honest, not particularly friendly and, to be even more honest, slightly ungrateful for the shelter and the tea.
She’d spent years watching Lilah’s face on the screen, admiring her confidence, her talent, and, Blossom sighed, and her attractiveness. Grumpy and wet Lilah wasn’t at all what Blossom might have expected.
What was it that people said about meeting your heroes?
Still, she supposed the woman had had a hard few days. What with blowing up her career and all. Blossom scratched her nose. “So, um, what is it exactly that you were doing wandering around in the rain?”
“Being chased by your bull,” Lilah said.
“He’s not mine exactly,” said Blossom. “He’s… Never mind, but what were you doing before that?” She looked down at Lilah’s outfit. “If you don’t mind me saying so, you’re not exactly dressed for a day in the country.”
“I do mind you saying so, actually,” Lilah said. “This is all Armani, I’ll have you know.”
Blossom cocked her head. “Um, I think my point might still stand,” she said thoughtfully. “This Armani chap makes a nice cloak, but it’s not exactly rain-proof.”
“I didn’t know it was about to rain.”
“This is England,” Blossom said. “It rains all the time.”
“There’s something to look forward to then,” said Lilah sharply. She puffed out a breath of air. “If you must know, I was looking for my rental cottage. I got… turned around.”
“No, you didn’t,” Blossom said brightly.
“I rather think you’ll find that I did. It was that damned bull’s fault,” Lilah said. She had her hands wrapped around her teacup, warming them.
“Nope, this is exactly where you’re supposed to be,” Blossom beamed. “The rental is next door.”
Lilah froze. “What?”
“Yeah. This cottage has always been two separate homes, even though it’s one building. I live on this side, and the other side is a rental.”
Lilah stared at her in dawning horror. “You mean… I’ve got to move in next door to a woman who has a pet bull?”
“Again, Billy’s not mine,” said Blossom “He belongs to a farmer down the road. He just likes to visit.”
“This is hell,” Lilah said, dragging her hands down her face.
“No, it’s really not,” said Blossom, because Lilah looked like she could use some cheering up. “Next door got a full reno, it’s really nice over there, I promise. You’ve even got internet and stuff.”
Lilah pulled her phone out of her pocket, looked at it, then stared at Blossom. “No wifi? Barely any reception?”
Blossom shrugged. “It comes and goes around town, depending on where you are. But like I said, next door you’ll belaughing. Come on, I’ll show you your new place if you like?”
She hopped up and pulled a key out of a drawer.
