Page 85 of Harper's Holiday Romance
“Says who?” Billie rounded the corner from the bathroom.
“Me.”
“Okay, well, no offence, but—” She pulled her top over her head; it got stuck midway, but her head pulled through at the end.
When anyone said no offence, it was 1000 per cent likely offence would be taken, especially when those words exited Billie’s mouth.
“Taking into account your recent lack of love life, quite frankly your judgment sucks.”
“Thank you so much,” I saidsarcastically.
“You’re welcome. Look, just go over there and tell her how you feel.”
“Why would I do that?” I asked. Surely that was NOT a good thing to do considering a giant 737 was waiting to take her home in less than three days’ time.
“Bottom line, because you’ll regret it if you don’t.” It was hard to take her seriously whilst she pranced around the hotel room half naked looking for wherever she threw her pyjamas.
“It seems like a lose-lose to me.”
“Nothing is ever a lose-lose, Harps.” Billie finally settled at the bottom of the bed. “You like her, right?”
“Well, yeah, obviously.” It was hard not to.
“So go tell her.” Billie made it sound so easy.
“You’re supposed to be the realistic one. You’re supposed to tell me it’s a stupid idea, and I couldn’t possibly have developed feelings for someone after so little time, and I’ll get home and be like, ‘Julia who?’ after a few days.” I folded my arms across my chest.
“Is that how you feel?” Billie asked.
“No.” I sulked.
“You can always count on me to give you some sarcastic words of wisdom, knock you down a few pegs, embarrass you until you’re red in the face, and exploit your naivety for my own personal benefit.” She reached out to grab my arms.
I was waiting for the but—
“But you can also count on me to be truthful and real when it matters.”
“I know.” I smiled.
“Listen, I can’t tell you what you feel, and I can’t tell you what Julia feels. All I can tell you is I see how electric you are together. Your energy has been on a different level since you met her. I want all the happinessin the world for you, Harps, because you deserve it, and I should probably be more sceptical and say it could never work, so it’s pointless, but today I have decided I want to believe in romance, love, and all that is magical in the world.” Billie didn’t even smirk. She didn’t laugh. There wasn’t an element of sarcasm in her tone.
“Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?”
“I think someone must’ve put a spell on me at the Japanese restaurant. Did you see a fortune cookie in the vicinity?”
“Okay it’s not Freaky Friday, and you’re not Lindsay Lohan.”
“I wish I was.” Billie rolled her eyes. “Seriously though, go get your girl,” she encouraged.
“I don’t know.”
I wanted to. God, I wanted to more than I’d ever wanted to do anything in my life. As a kid, I was sure I wanted to ride the Waltzer at the local fair, but this felt more significant.
“She can’t be my girl, Billie.” I sighed.
“How do you know? Stranger things have happened. Maybe we’re short of neurosurgeons in England. Maybe they’re short of realtors in America. And maybe, you were always meant to meet her, here, in this resort, on this holiday, at this time.” She pulled me up by my arms and started to button up my jeans.
“Are you insinuating this is fate? Also, I can do that.” I whacked her hand away and sucked my stomach back in. “The last time we spoke about fate and destiny, you said the concept is a comforting idea which allows us idiot humans to relinquish all responsibility for our actions because we believe what’s meant to will be, regardless of whatever choices we choose to make.”
