Page 43 of Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye

Tarquin sank deeper into the water. “I put Fatboy Slim on, she tore open my fly and went for it. Even today, I can’t hear ‘Right Here, Right Now’ without a blissed-out grin.”

“You pillock! You’ve totally ruined that song for me now. Cheers, Balf.”

“Hey, I didn’t ask her to do it!” Tarquin reached for his first coffee of the day, balancing on the wide edge of the tub. “I was just doing my job.”

“While Pandora did hers,” said Harry, through a yawn. “And DJ Klimaxxx was born!”

“Oh, mate, it was hot.” Tarquin groaned. “I couldn’t wait to repay the favor, but next thing I knew, she legged it out of there.”

“Didn’t she leave for a birthday party or something?”

Tarquin took a quick sip. “Yep. Met up with some bloke there, according to her friend. I never heard from Pandora again. No texts, nothing.”

“I remember how gutted you were. It sucks, finding out the girl you’re into is seeing someone else simultaneously.”

“Yeah, I thought we had something, you know? We had so much in common—indie bands, skateboarding, a penchant for rule-breaking…” Tarquin returned his coffee to the side of the bath.

“But not a desire to be in a steady relationship.”

Ah, okay. I know where this is going. Tarquin shook his head slowly. “Hazza—”

“Tarq, I say this as your best friend. I love you, mate, but your potential girlfriend radar has always been rubbish. You fall too hard, too fast for women who see you as nothing more than a good time. Alex was the only exception.”

He flicked bubbles off his chest. “Well, Lex was my most recent girlfriend, so I’d say my radar is obviously improving.”

“But is it? This thing with Leia—”

“Harry—”

“You’re completely deluded. Can’t you see what this really is? She’s getting what she wants.”

“And so am I.” His free hand cut through the bath water, causing the floating Darth ducky to bobble and nod over the foamy waves.

“Well, sex, yeah, but not all the great stuff that can come with it, stuff you said you wanted. Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

“I haven’t changed anything. You said it yourself: hookups were my thing, remember? So, I’m doing what I do best—but as a means to an end.” It better be a happy one. Tarquin swiped a cluster of bubbles off his bruised knee. “I will win her over. I’m not afraid of a challenge.”

“I know you’re not, but she’s leaving in two weeks!”

“Her plane leaves in two weeks—doesn’t mean she’ll be on it.” She might be unsure about a relationship now, but give her time. She’ll change her mind. Succeed or die trying, right? Tarquin jutted out his chin. “Look, Harry, you weren’t here last night. Leia’s different. We understand each other. We definitely have this connection.”

“Oh, Balfy. Here you go again.”

“No, not again. I’ve been serious about two women, Harry. Two. That’s it. Leia’s only number three.”

“Yeah, and the hopeless romantic in you kidnaps your brain and replaces it with candy floss. You lose all sense of reality, start booking couple’s holidays, buying gifts…”

Tarquin frowned. “I haven’t fallen in love with her, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Well, good.” Harry snorted. “You barely know her.”

“Actually, I know more than you think.”

“Sex isn’t knowing someone, Tarq.”

“No, but it’s a good start, okay? Jesus, Harry.” Tarquin swept a wet hand through this hair, slicking it off his forehead. “Despite what you think, you can learn a lot about someone in bed—like if they’re giving. Or patient…if they listen. Not everyone starts off as friends like you and Lucy. Some of us take a different path. It doesn’t mean a meaningful relationship is out of the question just because we slept together first. I swear, it’s like someone wanted us to meet. Lucy gets it. Why don’t you?”

Harry exhaled a forced breath. “Because I don’t want you to go off the grid again if it doesn’t work out.”