Ginger eyed her. “Did she cheat on you?”
An image of Anna on their cream sofa in their old house trying to explain away sleeping with someone else flitted through her mind. Kirsty hadn’t thought about it in a while. She nodded, feeling empty. “She met someone at one of those parties, in the end.”
Ginger gave her a sad smile. “I wish Dave had cheated on me, rather than just deciding he’d had enough and wanted out. It would have made it easier to take.”
“It didn’t feel like that at the time.” Kirsty clenched her fist, then released. “In the end, I’m pleased she did it. Looking back, we weren’t right for each other.”
“Whereas you and Saffron could be.” Ginger pressed a finger to Kirsty’s arm. “I think Saffron could be a homebody, too. If she let herself. She’s still figuring out who she is. She’s a little late to the party.”
“I don’t know.” Kirsty frowned. “Even if age weren’t an issue, I think my lifestyle and that of a movie star aren’t all that compatible.”
However, when Kirsty tried to picture them together, it was surprisingly easy. Saffron in her ripped jeans that clung to her perfect bum. A casual arm around Kirsty’s shoulder. Hot lips on hers. Kirsty’s tongue sliding up Saffron’s tanned neck, caressing her silky skin.
Kirsty shifted in her chair, then crossed her legs. She put a hand to her cheek. A tenner said she was blushing. “Anyway, enough about your sister. I’m here to discuss your party invites.”
Ginger gave her a knowing look. “Have I made you all flustered? You look just like your mum when you are. Which is no bad thing, by the way. Your parents are gorgeous.”
“They have their moments.” Kirsty rubbed her hands together. “The invites.” She grabbed her phone and showed Ginger an image. “You could have something like this? It’s a fridge magnet the size of a card, and we can get it designed however we want. I’ve got an illustrator in mind. So now we just need to come up with something funny for the front.”
Ginger studied the product, before turning to Kirsty. “A magnetic card invite. I love it.” She leaned over and gave her a crushing hug before pulling away. “You’re a genius. The one thing we don’t want to do is let Saffron take charge of this. She gets carried away when it comes to me. She still feels guilty for not being at my wedding.”
Ginger’s phone lit up. “Speak of the devil. My sister is on her way.”
Kirsty ignored the way her senses woke up at the mere mention of Saffron. Yes, she’d looked gorgeous at her parents’ BBQ. Yes, they’d shared a moment on the beach. But Kirsty was still who she was. Could Ginger be right in what she’d said?
Kirsty stretched her arms in the air, turning her head to look for Saffron. No sign as yet. Out on the glassy sea, an impressive windsurfer was doing their thing. “It’s a yes to these invites? You don’t want to go for online, as I found some fab ones there, too?” She had to get back to the matter at hand.
“Positive.” Ginger’s tone was final. “When Dave and I got married, we did it in a rush. Youthful impulsiveness. I was still reeling from my parents’ death. Saffron was filming all the time, so I never saw her. We just upped and did it. No invites. A handful of guests.” She leaned her head back to the sun. “This party is my belated wedding.” As soon as it was out of her mouth, Ginger sat up. “I only just realised that when I said it out loud.” She stood up, pacing her paved back patio.
“Morning all.”
Kirsty turned to where Saffron was undoing Ginger’s back gate, walking towards them with a pad and pencil case tucked under her arm. She was still impossibly tall, her vest top casually hanging off her broad, tanned shoulders. This morning was turning out to be a tsunami of the Oliver sisters.
Before Kirsty could reply, Ginger ran over to Saffron and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I just realised something!” She was shouting like she wanted the whole beach to hear. “This party is my wedding!”
Saffron put her things on the patio table and took Ginger in her arms. “I know, which is why I want it to be perfect,” she said, her mouth beside Ginger’s ear, her eyes on Kirsty. Saffron’s gaze was heated.
All the blood in Kirsty’s body travelled south.
Ginger promptly burst into tears.
Kirsty blinked and jumped up as Saffron steered her sister to a chair. Saffron pulled up a seat beside her, with Kirsty to Ginger’s right.
Saffron and Kirsty both went to put an arm around Ginger at the same time, only succeeding in clutching each other.
Kirsty turned her head left just as Saffron turned right.
Boom!Kirsty’s heartbeat revved in her ears like a thunderclap.
Electricity crackled between them, Ginger the conductor.
Saffron held her gaze for far longer than necessary, and Kirsty only broke when it seemed a little unfair to be doingwhatever they were doingwhile Ginger was having a moment. However, tell that to her libido, which was currently zigzagging around her stomach, before settling somewherewaylower down.
Kirsty crossed her legs again and held in a breath.
This was not her normal Thursday morning, flirting with a movie star.Were they flirting?She had no idea.
Ginger blew her nose with some force, which brought everyone back to the present.
