Page 101 of Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye

The Arches event space! Leia’s heart skipped.

Sarah licked apple mousse off her thumb and swirled her tea, Fortnum’s special blend created in 2011 to celebrate Will and Kate’s proposal. “I sorta read it. Hope you don’t mind.”

She’s reading my texts again? Leia pursed her lips and yanked her chair closer to the table. Collecting her phone, she tapped the screen and…nothing. “Oh, you’re kidding me. Battery’s dead.” She looked past their second cake stand, home to pots of Somerset clotted cream, strawberry preserve, and lemon curd, and met Sarah’s grin. “So, nosey Parker, what’d they say?” Leia’s grimace morphed into a wary smile.

“It’s yours! Thursday, November 14th. They’ll email the contract this afternoon!”

YES! Leia’s heart skipped beneath her sweater. “Ah, thank god! I didn’t think I’d find a venue this late in the game. It’s just too bad my good fortune was on the back of some poor bride’s wedding cancellation.”

“Hey, all’s fair in love and party planning. So, you nervous?”

Leia pushed out a big breath. “No. Excited and impatient! Six weeks will fly by with so much to do. Get this—Shantelle even wants to take part.”

“Really? She’d fly over for it?”

“She’s already here. Don’t you ever look at my Frill-Seekers Insta?”

“Hello”—Sarah set down her blue and white china teacup—“have we met?”

“Luddite!” Leia scrunched her nose and broke into a grin. “Shan’s in London doing Lost for Breath press.”

“I thought she was lying on a beach somewhere.”

“She’s supposed to be. The studio ordered her and Bastien to fly over a few days ago. The movie isn’t making what they expected here, and they think a last-minute press tour might help. They’re certainly not sparing any expense.”

“Oh, okay—so that’s why their faces are parading around the city on the sides of buses!” Sarah contemplated the goodies waiting on her plate. “You can’t ride public transport without seeing them.”

“Yup. Feels like they’re everywhere.”

“I’m surprised you could take the day off.”

“I’m on call in case of an emergency, but beyond that, Shan’s ready to go. I gave her my spare key when I left Brooklyn, so she brought a bunch of dresses with her. We spent her first day planning outfits and accessories and arranging hair and makeup appointments. The tour is busy, but it’s not glam. There’s no premiere or parties, no schmoozing. It’s low stress but high impact—hopefully.”

“And no travel for you.”

“That’s the best part! And I’m getting tons of Instagram content for Frill-Seekers. The PR guy is taking photos all over London. You should check them out. Bastien shows up, too, wearing my moto-style jacket.”

Sarah’s face brightened in recognition behind her cup of tea. “The wool skirt one? Ah, I LOVE that one!”

“So does Bastien!” Leia laughed. “Shan was wearing hers around New York and he stole it, wouldn’t give it back. She begged me, ‘Make him one!’ Now, he won’t take his off.”

“That’s great press for you! Bastien shows up in all the gossip columns.”

“Yeah, he’s popular, all right. He was really sweet in Brooklyn during his fitting and gave me a big kiss and posed for photos. He posted one yesterday for Throwback Thursday. It got a shitload of likes.”

Sarah swapped her tea for the last bite-sized morsel of coronation chicken. “And what about Shantelle? She sticking around for your show next month?”

“I hope so. If Shan walks the runway, people will definitely take notice. But I’ll have to ask her again, see if she’s being serious or you know…just Shantelle.”

“Pray that Mercury isn’t in retrograde when you ask her.” Sarah giggled, savoring her sandwich. “I still can’t believe I get to be a model!”

“I’m relieved you said yes! One model down, nine to go.”

“But Simon’s helping you search, right?”

“Yeah, and he’ll help me backstage on the day.” Leia tore off a chunk of clotted-cream-slathered scone. “God love Simon. He also gave me info for three PR companies and suggested The Arches space at the brewery. I’d still be looking if it wasn’t for him. I have to let him know I got it once my phone is alive again.”

“Here, use my portable charger…” Sarah leaned over the side of her chair, her hand diving into her bag. “He’s been such a great friend to you.”