‘What?’ Her eyes were wide. ‘When?’
‘The weekend I went to pick up my new car. As I was leaving.’
‘So what did you say?’
I cleared my throat. ‘I said no.’
‘Come again?’
‘I said no.’
‘Yeah, that’s what I thought you said, but that can’t possibly be right because this is the man that’s perfect for you. Looks hot, has manners and a great personality and apparently fancies the arse off of you, as Iknowyou do with him!’
I dropped my head back momentarily. ‘I know. But it’s complicated.’
Jess pulled her head back. ‘No, it isn’t. You’re single, he’s single, you both like each other. It’s far from complicated. In fact, it’s entirely the opposite of complicated!’
‘Jess, please.’
‘You know this year of saying no thing doesn’t mean you have to say no to everything, especially not to hot men you’ve been lusting over for ages!’
‘It hasn’t been ages!’
‘It bloody has! Why on earth did you say no? You like him, Lottie. I know you do.’ Her voice was softer now, trying to understand. ‘I think he’d make you happy. He obviously cares about you.’
‘I know. And I care about him. But I have to be sensible, Jess. He’s my biggest client. If I started something with him and it went bad, there’s no way he’s going to keep his business with me and that could be really bad for my income. I just can’t afford to mix the two. Yes, I think he’s lovely and, yes, I do have a bit of a crush on him.’ I ignored Jess’ unladylike snort. ‘But I can get over that. In time. It’s for the best,’ I repeated, a phrase that seemed to have become a personal mantra since that day.
‘So how did he take it?’
‘OK, I think.’ I paused. ‘Yeah. Fine actually. He agreed it was for the best too. We’re great as friends and neither of us want to ruin that, so it’s all good.’
It’s definitely all good. Great, in fact. Absolutely perfect!
‘So how are things now?’
‘Good. Back to how they were before.’
‘Really?’
‘Yep. He’s been pretty busy with work and I think he was out on a date the other night, so it’s definitely not like I’ve broken his heart or anything.’ I gave a one shouldered shrug.
‘Right.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Nothing. I just said “right”.’
‘It’s the way you said it.’
Jess shrugged but offered no further explanation. ‘I can try and take back the invitation if that helps.’
I laughed, tension seeping out of me. ‘You can’t do that!’
‘It’s my party. My prerogative.’
I shook my head. ‘It’s fine.’
‘He might not come anyway,’ she added.
