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The colour in Elyse’s face intensified. ‘I couldn’t. It’s too soon.’
Come on. Be brave. ‘Elyse… Beverley told me she’s never known James to be in a relationship.’
Elyse abruptly turned away.
‘I don’t care when you and James broke up. But whatever you had is over and you need to try and move on.’
‘You want him for yourself,’ Elyse muttered.
I’m not going to admit that, even to myself. Estelle took a big breath. ‘My relationship with James is purely professional.’
‘He likes you.’
He does? Tell me more! Tell me everything!
Elyse faced her with a resigned expression. ‘He tries not to let it show. But he talks about you. A lot.’
‘That doesn’t mean anything. This is about you moving on.’
‘I still think I’ve got a chance. I just need to spend more time with him.’
Seriously? Just take no for an answer!
‘Haven’t you ever been so in love that you don’t want to give up hope of it all working out?’ Elyse asked.
‘Of course not,’ Estelle retorted, then her mind summoned an image of Isaac, the hottest yoga teacher in the world. He clearly wasn’t interested in her, but she’d still pursued him relentlessly.
‘Look,’ she continued, ‘Finn’s nice, and apparently good-looking. I’m not saying anything will happen with him, but at least come with me tonight. You’re stunning and new in town. That combination is kryptonite in somewhere as small as Foxbrooke.’
Elyse was silent. When they’d first met, she’d seemed even more confident and self-assured than Estelle’s youngest sister, Summer. But now the shell had cracked and an unsure and broken version of Elyse had emerged.
‘Do you have a photo of him?’
Estelle resisted the urge to fist pump. ‘Whenever I take a picture of Finn, he pulls a face, so you’re not seeing any of them. He’s taller than me, broad, and has a beard. That’s all you’re getting.’
Elyse’s pert nose wrinkled. ‘He’s got a beard?’
Fuck’s sake! ‘It’s very short,’ she replied quickly. ‘And, er, sexy.’
‘If it’s sexy, then why do you look like you might be sick?’
Estelle rolled her eyes. ‘Because he’s like a brother to me. I literally cannot think sexy thoughts about him or I’ll throw up then arrest myself for incest.’
Elyse gave a small smile. ‘Okay, I’ll come. Thank you.’
Estelle: Yes, coming tonight, but you have to shave off your beard
Finn: What?
Estelle: And wear a suit
Finn: I don’t have a suit
Estelle: Borrow one from Henry. And dye your hair black
Finn: It’s quiz night, not fucking Halloween
Finn: Who do you want me to be? Head of the Sicilian Mafia?
