Page 75 of Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye

Cannot wait! He bit his bottom lip and grinned, fighting to carry on the conversation despite the growing distraction in his pants. “So, why don’t you have an account? You could show off your travels, nights out, your dresses?” And keep me in the Leia loop. I hate the thought of wondering how you are.

“Trust me, my life is not that interesting. Who cares what I have for breakfast?”

“I do! I’m still hoping to find out…”

Leia smiled demurely and broke eye contact, her hands bunching up the duvet. “Maybe we should do something about that.”

Ooh, I like the sound of this. “So, who’s the rule breaker now, Ginger!”

She gazed up at him. “Well, if we can’t break them on our last night…” A subtle shrug lifted her shoulders.

First dinner, now breakfast. Will she put the ‘no relationship’ rule to bed, too? Tarquin’s smile grew. “I’ll gladly make you breakfast. What would you like?”

“Pancakes! But”—she let out a ragged breath—“what I really want is to wake up with you, hold you until it’s time to say our goodbyes. I mean, if that’s okay.”

Tarquin’s heart hammered against his ribs. “Leia, like you have to ask.”

She grinned, snatching one of his bed’s pillows. “You better have maple syrup for breakfast and…other things.”

This is perfect. “What Leia wants…” Tarquin glanced over his shoulder, expecting a mountain of bubbles cresting the curved sides of his tub, but murky pink water rose instead. Bollocks! It’s a dud? His forehead tensed. “Uh, just a—” He dashed into his en suite and whipped open one of the vanity’s many doors. A box of sensually-scented delights drew his impatient hands. I need bubbles—now. Tonight needs to be memorable.

“But you’re right about Instagram and Frill-Seekers,” said Leia, her words nearly drowned out by the roaring water. “I hired a social media company to manage my account, so I can focus on designing.”

“Smart.” Tarquin raised his voice above the din. “Social media is time-consuming, but it’s a necessary evil.” He twisted the taps, reducing the flow of water and the noise. “Will you photograph your dresses in a studio or around the city?”

“Around the city, next month. Hopefully, most of the snow will be gone by then.” A sigh escaped her emerging frown. “Just the thought of the slush, the minus twenty-degree windchills, my ex being everywhere.”

Now’s your chance. Say it. It’s been on the tip of your tongue all night. Adrenaline sizzled through Tarquin’s body. He leaned against the doorjamb, admiring Leia at home on his bed hugging the pillow. “So, why don’t you stay? For another week…or longer?”

“I’ve thought about it. I mean, what am I going back for right now? The snow? Hardly. A part-time job where I’ll watch some socialite’s daughter snatch the full-time position I was told was mine?!” She huffed. “If they’re not honoring their promise, maybe I should tell them where they can shove their job!”

That’s what I would do. “You know, if you did stay, you’d be here for the Dior exhibit.”

“Sarah mentioned that! It’s at the V&A, right? God, I’d love to see it, all the sketches, the dresses. When’s it on?”

“Early February.” Tarquin returned to the bathroom and rifled through his bath bombs, choosing a pink and purple sphere embedded with a small sculpted rose made of soap. He dropped the bubble-maker into his tub, giving it an encouraging nudge. “You could do all the London things you’ve missed out on—visit the markets, take in the view from the Shard, go for afternoon tea at Fortnum’s. You could even hit up the wax museum, ya weirdo!”

Leia nodded slowly like she was checking off her to-do list. “And still fly back in time for Shantelle’s gown fittings.” She craned her neck, watching Tarquin wipe bubbles off his hands with a plush towel. “And if you’re not sick of me, maybe we could…”

He strode toward her with a confident smile. “I’m the opposite of sick of you.”

“Great!” Leia tossed the pillow aside. “Well, it’s decided, then! I’m calling Violetta right now.” Her sunny expression soured. “Tell her I quit!” Jaw clenched, she leaned off the side of the bed and pulled her dainty drawstring bag off the floor. “I know my worth, and I refuse to be screwed over again!”

Blimey, she’s serious. Tarquin’s grin faltered as alarm bells rang in his head. And I get it, but hasty, emotional decisions don’t often end well. I should know. What if after the exhilarating rush of jacking it all in, she’s miserable? Or can’t pay her bills? What if it ruins her career?

Lips tight and brow creased with determination, Leia looked like she was practicing in her head what she’d say to her boss.

Tarquin scratched his temple. I have to be the voice of reason even if it puts her on that plane home in two days’ time. He sat beside her. “You know, I’m all for telling people who screw me over in business where to stick it, but you said it yourself, this part-time job is more than just a paycheck—it inspires you, gives you access to connections for Frill-Seekers…”

“Uh, yeah…” She slouched, pausing for a beat. “But this hurts, Tarquin. They promised. It was mine this time.”

“I know.” He swept a strand of hair from her eyes. “It sucks when someone’s word means nothing, but I don’t think you should be too hasty. You need to think about all the repercussions because once you quit…”

Leia untwisted her lips, letting out a heavy exhale. “There’s no going back.” She played with the drawstrings of her purse, winding them around her hand. “I guess I don’t have to do anything right this second. I’m not scheduled to work for another two and a half weeks. I could move my flight and think about it.”

“Well, there you go!” said Tarquin. “No quitting necessary, at least not tonight.”

A smile snuck up on her cheeks. “So…two more weeks. Think you can handle it—handle me?”