Page 63 of Cookout Carnage
Love. He had used the word ‘love’. She put the necklace on, tucking it inside her blouse and power walked to the conference room. Shedidhave a chance. She hadn’t imagined their connection. Soon he’d be here, and her parents would be six hours away safely back in Kentucky.Thenshe’d get her second chance.
In the conference room the team was arriving, and Kasey turned on the screen. Sherilyn took a seat at the back, nervously touching the pendant through her blouse. Then he was there, back in London, and still as devastatingly handsome as ever.
‘Good afternoon, Tristan,’ Kasey began. ‘How’s the jet lag?’
‘Morning, Kasey; morning all,’ he replied with a smile. ‘All good here.’
Sherilyn couldn’t tell where his eyes were behind his glasses. Was he looking at her? Ignoring her?
‘I have to say,’ Kasey continued. ‘That chilli jam went down a storm at my house. My mom came over last night and loved it so much she ended up dipping chunks of brie straight into the jar.’
Tristan laughed. ‘Do you have any left?’
Kasey shook her head. ‘I have no idea. The jar “disappeared” when she left.’
Tristan’s grin was huge. ‘I’m so glad she liked it.’
‘You’ll have to go into production if you transfer to Chicago. Have you made a decision yet?’
Sherilyn sat forward, squeezing the pendant so hard she could feel every ridge of the pepperoni.
Tristan’s smile faltered. ‘Yes. I’m going to stay in London. I don’t think it’s going to work out.’
Sherilyn’s chair pushed back with a screech, and she ran for the door, pushing it open and heading for the bathroom. For the second time in a week, she sat on a toilet and wept. She’d blown it. He wasn’t coming back and now she’d never know if they could have been something. Her phone buzzed with a message.Tristan?
Mama: Hey honey, you sure I can’t come visit u at work? I was thinking, I want to bring Axle next time. Do u know a nice girl u could introduce him to? XO
Sherilyn sank her head. A six-hour drive was not far enough away from her parents. Fitzpatrick & Doyle had offices across the States. She needed to move further away if she was ever going to have a life.
23
Fitzpatrick & Doyle IM service
Tristan Fawcett-Underwood: Are you still sick? You didn’t return to the meeting this morning.
Tristan Fawcett-Underwood: I hope you’re okay.
Sherilyn Boden: I’m fine.
Tristan Fawcett-Underwood: Good.
Sherilyn Boden:I’m so sorry. I did want to see you. It’s just
Tristan Fawcett-Underwood:I was gutted not to see you
Sherilyn Boden:I’ve messed everything up
Tristan Fawcett-Underwood:I think I got carried away with the idea of coming to Chicago
Sherilyn Boden:I’m so sorry. I don’t know how I can fix this
Tristan Fawcett-Underwood:I didn’t think it through
Tristan Fawcett-Underwood: You still there?
Sherilyn Boden: Yes. Sorry.
Sherilyn Boden: Thank you for my presents.
