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“Oh, we’re the same. Just like that. Too,” Laurel added just as Clarissa raced in, scanned the room, and headed straight to Jamie.
“Hey, train delay, but I’m here.” She looked to her right. “And so is Laurel.” She looked to Jamie’s left, saw her holding hands with Leighton and paused. “Oh. Hello.” Her gaze flew to Jamie, who calmly explained.
“Yes,Leightonis here, too.”
“Hi,” Leighton said. “Good to see you.”
Clarissa simply stared and nodded, surely trying to piece this silly little story together and failing. She’d never met Leighton and waslikely struggling with why Jamie was holding hands with a stranger when she knew everything about her life. Luckily, Clarissa was good at taking a cue and did. “I’m thrilled to see you as well.” She turned to Laurel and her smile faded. “Laurel,” she said flatly.
“Fab to see you, Clarissa. Was it windy out there?” she said, surveying Clarissa’s hair.
“Probably from a spell you cast. We all have our gifts.”
“Well. I’ll leave you all to your evening. It’s so exciting to see Jamie with a date.” She scrunched her shoulders with false joy and glided away.
Once they were safely alone, Jamie exhaled and laughed. “What in the name of the Bonus Jonas just happened?”
A proud smile played on Leighton’s lips, but she held her composure. She was good at that. “I think we just made your ex-girlfriend a tad jealous, which was more fun than I ever would have guessed. She’s something.” She released Jamie’s hand, causing Jamie to grieve.
She turned to Clarissa. “Leighton is friends with Elise’s fiancé. Total coincidence, running into her here. She’s come into the bar a few times.”
“Is she Bambi’s Mother?” she practically squeaked, finally putting it together.
“Apparently, yes,” Leighton answered for her. “I’m the one who told Laurel we were dating. That was my doing. Sorry for the confusion. Leighton Morrow. Nice to meet you.”
“Clarissa. The best friend.” Clarissa took her hand. “And in that case, you’re my hero. Laurel’s the worst and perpetually awful to Jamie, who, by the way, is the sweetest ever.”
“Oh, stop,” Jamie said, making the keep-it-coming gesture. She was on a high.
“That part’s apparent.” Leighton beamed. She gestured a few feet away. “I’m going to give Jeremy a kiss and sneak out if that’s okay with the two of you. I have a work call across the country. It’s much earlier in San Diego.” She turned to Jamie. “It was good to see you, and you look incredibly beautiful.” A soft smile. “I mean it.” She held eye contact for a few delicious seconds, and Jamie felt her knees liquify.
“Yeah. You, too. Hey, Leighton?” She turned back. “Thank you.”
Leighton nodded. “Anytime. I mean that. Enjoy your evening. I wish I could stay.”
Once alone, Jamie and Clarissa turned to each other with identical shocked expressions.
“She is so into you,” Clarissa said, eyes wide. “The last few moments were like something out of a movie.” She looked behind her, the same direction Leighton had traveled. “That woman was sexy and gorgeous and poised and quietly flirting with you every second she was here.”
“No. Really?”
“Yes.”
“We don’t know that she’s gay.”
“She’s definitely bisexual at least. I can guarantee it. The interest was on display.”
Clarissa was kinda right. She’d felt it, too. Jamie surrendered. “She was a little bit flirtatious, though, right?”
“Jamie. The chemistry was screaming. You two are fire. This is it. This is Venus upending your life. It’s tossing you out of your comfort zone, but in the most wonderful way.”
“I think I like Venus.” She closed her eyes, trying to memorize this moment and the cloud she’d found herself floating on luxuriously above the city. How had such an awful beginning to the cocktail party led to this really gratifying moment?
“Girl, I think you’ve earned another glass. We have to celebrate.” Clarissa looked around for a server.
Jamie laughed, still levitating. “Yes, please.”
* * *
