Page 27 of Before You Say I Do
That brought a smile to Karen’s face. “You’re not wrong there.”
“So I don’t know why you’re stressing. I am the world’s worst at telling someone how I feel. At doing anything to move romance forward. Everything that’s ever happened in my life romantically has been the result of an accident, or someone else taking the lead. And that’s not going to happen this weekend, is it? Not on Abby’s hen weekend.”
“You have a point.” Karen nudged Jordan with her elbow.
“If anything, I’m still puzzled why she’s marrying Marcus. I mean, he seems absolutely lovely, but I wouldn’t put the two of them together, you know?”
“He’s loaded.”
Jordan nodded. “He is. But his money also brings issues. Plus, I wouldn’t put Abby into the gold-digger bracket. She’s got a good enough job herself.”
Karen shrugged. “Biological clock ticking?”
“More likely.” Jordan blew out a breath. “It just seems a shame for her to get married if she’s not totally into him.”
Karen gave her a look. “How many brides have truly been into the guy they were marrying? From what you’ve told me, not many. Maybe you think Abby is different to the others, but in this instance, she’s not. She’s looking for status, financial security, and a father for her child. Even in this day and age, women have to think about these things.”
Jordan shook her head. “True enough. Depressing, isn’t it?”
“No argument here.” Karen yawned, putting a hand to her mouth. “But anyway, let’s steer the subject away from off-limits Abby and back to you. When was the last time you had a shag? Was it that woman you met on Tinder?”
Jordan frowned. “Not that it makes any difference, but yes. However, I’m not planning on sleeping with anyone in Cannes. I’m working.”
“I know you are. But maybe when you get back, you could open yourself up a little more.” She held up her hands. “Before you go off on one with me, I know you don’t do relationships. You’ve been hurt before. One-night stands are easier in your line of work. I get it. But you’re getting older. Time ticks on. Take it from me, it’s kinda nice to have a relationship. I’m sure you had some good moments in ones in your past, didn’t you?”
Jordan slumped. “A couple. But they all worked out the same in the end, didn’t they? Heartbreak. Me losing my home and some of my possessions. They take up too much time and bring too much pain. I’ll stick to one-night stands. But not until this job is over.” The thought of having a one-night stand with Abby made all the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
She could never imagine that. Abby was not your one-night stand kind of girl.
Neither was Jordan when she was around her. She buried that thought.
Karen got up, then reappeared a few moments later, throwing a Marks & Spencer bag at her.
“What’s this?” Jordan opened the bag and pulled out a red bikini. As she unfurled it, her eyes widened. “Who’s this for?”
“You. I knew you wouldn’t buy it for yourself, but you were eyeing it up the other day in the shop, and so I got it for you. You want to look the part in your fancy Cannes villa, don’t you?”
Jordan gulped. She hadn’t stopped to think too much about the poolside activity, but now she was realising she was going to be seeing Abby in a bikini too, most likely. That thought sent her pulse into overdrive. “Good job I’m doing those sit-ups, because this bikini leaves little to the imagination.”
“It’s a bikini. It’s kinda the point.”
Jordan peered into the bag, and brought out some black lacy knickers, along with a matching bra. “Are these for me too?” She held them up like they were part of a police forensics operation.
Karen nodded. “They are. Free samples from work, so I got us both some.” She leaned into Jordan. “Put these on and you’ll feel invincible. Nobody else has to see them. But if anyone does, they’ll be jealous. Or about to rip them off. Just make sure it’s not the bride, and you’re golden. Didn’t you say the maid of honour was gay?”
“She is. And recently heartbroken. I know where your brain’s going, but stop right there.”
“You say recently heartbroken. I say single.” Karen put air quotes around ‘recently heartbroken’ and ‘single’.
“That’s why you should never be a matchmaker.” Jordan raised a single eyebrow in her direction.
“A gay best friend. They should do a movie about that. Is she fit?”
“Not my type.”
“You have a type?”
Jordan gave her a look. “My type is available. Delta is not that. She’s still snivelling over her last girlfriend. Plus, I’m not exactly her favourite person.”
