Page 16 of Wilder at Heart
Now might be a good time to change the subject. To cheer her up at my expense. I clear my throat.
‘So I have to fill you in on the engagement party.’
‘Yesss.’ She hugs her mug and twists to face me. ‘Give me all the dirt.’
‘Well, I saw Jonathan. And he introduced me toLucy.’
‘Ohmygod! You poor thing—how was it? And what’s she like?’
I get her up to speed on the awkward introduction and on the girl’s ridiculous boob situation. Elle, who’s a cup size biggerthan me but still miles off having a Lucy-level rack, laughs hysterically.
‘Your cousin said Jonathan’s only with her for the tit wanks.’ I shudder a little. It’s such a crass expression.
Her eyes widen. ‘Miles said that?’
‘No.’ I pause. ‘Theo.’
Elle’s expressive face lights up with a mischievous grin. ‘You were chatting to Theo? How wasthat?’
‘He kind of consoled me at the bar. He was quite sweet, actually. And it was weird. When Jonathan and Lucy were approaching us, Theo started, like, caressing my shoulder. In a super sexy way. And Jonathan looked like he was going to punch him. Theo said he thought that if I could make Jonathan jealous enough, I could get him back.’
Elle’s eyes are saucers. She sticks up her hand. ‘Wait. You let Theo grope you? And you thought it wassexy?’
‘Well, I didn’tlethim. He took the initiative. There wasn’t much I could do about it. And I didn’t sayIfound it sexy. I meant it would havecome acrossas sexy to an observer. Like Jonathan.’
‘Right.’ Elle presses her lips together to avoid grinning. ‘Of course you did.’
‘Anyway. It seems I’ve made a pact with the devil. Your cousin, that is. He can be quite persuasive.’
‘He certainly can. What kind of pact?’
I hesitate. ‘The kind of pact where we… hang out together and he helps me make Jonathan jealous while I help him persuade his family that if he’s serious and responsible enough to have a girlfriend like me, he’s serious and responsible enough to go manage their Manhattan portfolio.’
Elle’s face is a picture. ‘Shut up. You are shitting me. Like afake datingpact?’
I roll my eyes. ‘You read too many romances.’
‘No more than you. And fake dating is my favourite trope of all time. Like, seriously.’
‘Er, I think the evidence suggests “dirty dukes” as being your favourite trope. Or second chance romance.’
‘Yes! Second chance romance! Especially with Josh. You’re so right. And no woman is immune to the charms of a dirty duke. Especially when he’s Josh… but fake dating is so tropey! I love it!’
Bless Elle’s romantic heart. I watched Josh Lander dash her romantic tendencies five years ago, and I was worried it was for good. But she’s found the courage to open her heart to him again, and she’s radiant. And I’m so pleased for her. For them.
‘So, obviously you guys are going to be forced into all sorts of public clinches and then you’ll both realise, long after everyone else does, that it was real all along.’ She hugs herself.
‘For fuck’s sake, Elle. Get it together. Have you met your cousin? He’s a bloody nightmare. He had a threesome on TV, for Christ’s sake! And my type is Jonathan. Soft. Steady. Safe. They’re chalk and cheese, okay?’
She deflates so much that I almost feel bad. ‘Yeah. You’re right. I got carried away there for a minute. You deserve much better than my cousin.’
‘Thank you. Eyes on the prize, please.’
‘Eyes on the prize,’ she repeats meekly. ‘But what’s Theo’s gig—why does he need your help?’
I smirk. ‘Seems like the lovely Trixie and Dixie weren’t exactly conducive to persuading his family he’s developed the required levels of maturity and judgement for them to trust him with some real responsibility. And he’s desperate for a shot in Manhattan. Entermoi, to persuade them he’s growing up.’
‘Can you imagine Theo in New York, though? His success rate with women would go through the roof. Off a high base.’
