Page 143 of Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye

“To Freddie and Simon!” Tarquin and Leia echoed in concert with fifty delighted voices.

“That was gorgeous.” Leia sniffed, lowering her glass as Mark was consumed at the head table by a rowdy, laughter-filled man hug. “So sincere and charming.”

Truly. Kudos to Keegan. Tarquin sipped his champagne. The noisy Freddie-Simon-Mark tangle of arms claimed its next victim, swallowing up Alex and her black party dress (a Frill-Seekers original) in its fumbling embrace. It’s funny how life turns out. Eighteen months ago, it was me and Lex. Now, she’s back with her soul mate, and I’m here with mine. He reached over to Leia and claimed her hand resting in her lap with his handkerchief as the DJ launched into Madonna’s “Cherish”, a favorite of Freddie’s. I hope we’re just as happy as Alex and Mark. And Simon and Freddie. Smiling, he weaved his fingers gently through hers. Together in London.

Leia squeezed back. “Tarquin, what’s the name of Mark’s TV series?”

“Lairds and Liars,” Lucy blurted, stealing a forkful of Harry’s tart. He knew better than to challenge her brazen dessert theft. “There are four seasons with a fifth coming in the spring. I’m still reeling from last season’s cliffhanger, the absolute fuckers.”

Spencer winced in sympathy over the rim of her champagne. “We’ve got to have a viewing party when it’s back on.”

“YES!” Lucy swallowed and bounced in her chair. “We should cosplay! Simon’s already working on something for Freddie.” Dropping her fork on her plate, she hitched up the bodice of her white dress and leaned over Harry’s plate toward Spencer. “It’s the uniform that bloke from Inverness wears.”

“Ooh, I HATE that guy!” Spencer seethed. “What he did to Mark’s—”

“Spoilers, sweetie!” Lucy shot Spencer some cutting side-eye and glanced across the table at the Scott sisters.

Leia smiled at Sarah on the other side of Tarquin. “We better catch up, then! I think we’re the only people on the planet who haven’t seen this show.”

“Mark is pretty cute.” Sarah stared as he chatted with Ben and Riley a table away.

Joan jumped in. “He’s a lovely lad, and he treats our Alex like a queen.”

Leia locked eyes with Tarquin. “Don’t worry—he’s got nothing on you, Balfour! You’ll always be my movie star.”

“C’mere!” He pulled her in for a huge kiss as Freddie and Simon hovered, all loved-up smiles and boozy glee.

“Lovely jubbly, the gang is all here!” Freddie beamed, fiddling with his bow tie. “Oi, Tarq, sorry to cockblock…”

Cheers, Freds. Mid-kiss, Tarquin opened one accusatory eye.

“…but I must hug Leia before I get too trollied.”

Leia’s giggly snort broke their kiss. “Freddie”—she chuckled—“you already thanked me for fixing your hem. Twice.”

“But, you SAVED me, princess!” Freddie nudged his glasses up his nose as Simon shared a joke with Jordan. “How horrific would it have been to say ‘I do’ to my darling fashion designer hubby with one trouser leg flapping on the floor like some disheveled clown?”

“Nice one, Ley. Do you always travel with a needle and thread?” asked Lucy.

Leia laughed. “Just a small sewing kit.” Tarquin draped his arm along the back of her chair. “Blame the day job.”

Freddie’s eyes narrowed as he swept his floppy fringe off his forehead. “There was something else I wanted to thank you for…” He peered across the room.

Tarquin followed his search. Alex was laughing alongside Simon’s parents, all three nibbling on colorful Smarties and Rockets.

Freddie snapped his fingers. “That’s it! The sweetie table. Cheers for the Canadian treats, Ley.”

“Yeah, I may have pinched a few.” Lucy snickered, revealing a small bag of ketchup potato chips hidden in her bag.

“Brilliant!” Tarquin chuckled, meeting Leia’s eyes.

Harry scanned the bag. “Ketchup flavor? Ah, so that’s why you nicked three—”

“Shh! I didn’t take them all!” Lucy protested.

“I’m glad they’re popular,” said Leia.

“Yep! Si’s fam feel right at home because of you! I must admit, I can’t leave that cornucopia of Canuck fabulousness alone either. Come on, who isn’t partial to a sneaky Mr. Big!”