“Please, don’t.” Saffron reached for Kirsty.
Kirsty stopped, but her stiffening body didn’t put Saffron at ease. The exact opposite, really.
“It’s not like I want to see Echo. Between us, I can’t stand her any more than you.”
“Then don’t go,” Kirsty pleaded.
“I don’t have a choice.” Saffron smothered her face with her hands.
“There’s always a choice.”
“Not when it comes to Pearl andGirl Racer. There are millions of dollars at stake. Not just my pay, but for the studio. They’ll do everything to wreck my career if I don’t cave and sign on for the next one.” Saffron wanted to rest her head on Kirsty’s shoulder in the hope of making everything go away, so Saffron could live the life she wanted.
“Let them.” Kirsty gripped each of Saffron’s shoulders and spoke with confidence. “We were just talking about you starting over. Finding work that makes you happy.”
“It’s something to talk about, but doing it, that’s entirely another matter.” Saffron leaned into Kirsty. “Trust me. I’ll make it back in time for the party. I’m not going to let down my sister or you. Please, believe in me.”
Because Saffron needed one of them to.
Chapter 23
The light coming through her window woke Kirsty earlier than she wanted. When she opened her eyes, Saffron wasn’t beside her. She’d only experienced sleeping together once, but she hoped it would happen again. Yesterday’s plans had been cruelly cut short when Saffron was summoned by her agent.
Kirsty ground her teeth. Saffron had told her the meeting wasn’t optional, but it did nothing to quell Kirsty’s nerves. She’d slept with Saffron, and then Saffron had driven to London for a meeting with her agent and Echo Black. As beginnings went, it was as far from Hollywood as Kirsty could imagine.
She put her feet on the ground and padded over to her window, drawing back the curtains. The light marched in. It was another gorgeous day in a summer that hadn’t stopped shining for the past two months. Up until yesterday, Kirsty had thought the weather knew something she didn’t. That the spring in its step mirrored her own.
Now though, she wasn’t so sure. She walked to the kitchen and flicked on the kettle. Saffron had said all the right things, reassuring Kirsty it was just business. Kirsty wanted to believe Saffron, but her heart had been down similar paths before. It knew the previous outcome and the odds of it working out. Her heart was in self-preservation mode.
Kirsty understood about having work meetings you’d rather not have. She’d fired suppliers who messed her around. Held serious talks with Helena when she’d tried to steer the wine side of their business. Since then, their business relationship had been far better. In fact, since the Oliver sisters arrived in town, Helena had been a total rock.
Saffron was a big deal. She had to go to meetings. It was just her meetings were with Pearl, who certainly didn’t have her best interests at heart. Also with her ex, Echo Black.
How could Kirsty compete with Echo-Sodding-Black? No matter what she’d done, she and Saffron were unfinished business.
She made herself a tea, then grabbed two crumpets. She peered closely. There was a bit of green mould on one. She cut it off. Enough butter and jam, and you’d never know. She put them in the toaster and pressed down. She bet Echo never ate crumpets. Too many carbs. Although Saffron did.
Saffron wasn’t at all who Kirsty had imagined she’d be. She was a lost soul, just coming to terms with her life. Kirsty had wandered into it, and they had a connection. Saffron felt it, too. She’d told her, and she’d showed her. All night long.
A wave of lust rolled through Kirsty.
She grabbed the toasted crumpets and put far too much butter on them, watching it seep through the holes and onto the plate. So what if she put on a few pounds? She might need it to wallow if Saffron went to London and stayed there.
All it was going to take was one word from her agent, one veiled threat, and the promise of their new relationship could fly out the window.
Kirsty walked through to the lounge and took a bite of her crumpet.
She was right.
They tasted delicious.
* * *
Two hours later,Kirsty stared up at their shop sign. They still needed to get that repainted. She added it to her mental to-do list and pushed open the shop door. Helena was already there, dealing with a delivery. She waved to get her partner’s attention.
“You okay here if I go for a walk?”
Helena nodded. “So long as you bring me back a treat.”
