Page 80 of One Golden Summer
“I don’t have a connection!” Saffron slammed her fist into her own thigh, ignoring the spasm of pain.
“The photos are of you in the shop. Are you sure?” Andrea asked, her strained voice not trying to upset Saffron further.
Yes, she had a connection, but how to explain she’d fallen for Kirsty, who only cared about one thing. The Saffron Oliver name and photos to sell booze.
How had Saffron been such a fucking idiot to think Kirsty wanted the movie star for anything else? Her parents had never put her first. Pearl had repeatedly used her. Echo had kept her under lock and key all for publicity. Why would Kirsty be any different? When would Saffron learn she couldn’t trust anyone?
* * *
Unbridled rage hummed through Saffron,when the motorbike’s tyres screeched to a stop outside of Wine Time. She leapt off the bike and ripped her helmet off by the time she reached the shop door.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Saffron, with her helmet tucked under her left arm, held up her phone with her right hand. “All this time, you’ve been lying to me!”
Kirsty, who’d been unpacking bottles from a box, took a step back, giving Saffron the once over. “What are you raving about?”
“This!” Saffron shook her phone.
“Who do you think you are? Barging in my shop, ranting like a lunatic.” Kirsty planted her feet, readying for battle.
“Who do you think you are? This entire time, you planned on using me. I give you credit for all your showboating, claiming we couldn’t be more than client and party planner, when all the while you wanted nothing more than to get close to me.” She snarled and then hurled the words, “All to get an endorsement starring moi.”
“M-moi?” Kirsty stuttered.
“Yes, me.” Saffron stupidly thumped her phone into the centre of her own chest, hitting bone.
“Why would my website have you on it?” Kirsty knitted her eyebrows.
“Exactly! Why would it, Kirsty?” Saffron stepped towards the woman, the rage continuing to boil. “Why?”
“Can I see whatever you’re talking about?” Kirsty bared her palm.
“It’s your website. How do you not know what’s on it?”
“Can you please just show me your fucking phone?” Kirsty shook her hand.
Saffron slapped it into place. “By all means. Keep this façade going. Maybe you should be the actor, not me.”
Kirsty shot her a venomous glare before giving the phone the time of day. “What the fuck?”
“You really are good.” Saffron applauded, managing not to drop her helmet.
“Just stop, okay.” Tears brimmed in her eyes. “I haven’t seen it since Helena did the rejig. I had no part in this.” Kirsty held the phone by a corner, as if not wanting the lies to contaminate her.
“Yeah, right. After everything between us. I thought I actually meant something to you. Like you believed in me and my ability to quit my career. To be a real person, not a commodity.” Saffron willed herself not to break in front of Kirsty. When she got home she could let the tears flow.
“Oh, get off your high horse. You’re only trying to shift the blame onto me because within 48 hours of us shagging, you rekindled your relationship with Echo-Fucking-Black for all the world to see. I’ve been dumped before, but never on such a grand scale. Bravo, Hollywood. Bravo!” Kirsty clapped her hands like she was congratulating the queen herself.
“I’ve done no such thing.” Saffron took a shallow breath, feeling faint.
“Whatthingare you talking about?” Kirsty made sarcastic quote marks in the air.
“Rekindling things with Echo. That lunch was all a setup.”
“You led me to believe it was a business meeting. One you were legally required to attend. From what I saw, it didn’t look business-y. Not with the posh setting and romantic flickering candlelight. I’m surprised Adele wasn’t serenading you two as you held hands, staring lovingly into the other’s eyes.” Kirsty pressed her palms together, batting her eyelashes.
“At least with Echo, I know what I’m getting. You’ve been lying to me since day one.” Kirsty held a finger up in the air, but Saffron continued to steamroll. “The worst part, I actually believed you. I believed what we had was real. I’ve been such a fool!”
“Why would Pearl set you up on a date? Why should I believe a word you say?” Kirsty’s expression turned to stone.
