Page 50 of Embracing the Change

“With better hair and less of a stick up your ass,” Teddy continued.

“I knew I adored you,” I stated.

“Obviously,” Teddy returned.

“Though, we can agree, Babe was eventually hindered by bad sixties helmet hairstyles.”

“We can certainly agree that,” Teddy replied. “Although we love you, it’s important to note, part of this is about the fact Paloma hasn’t exactly stayed in the good graces of the G-Force.”

I was completely unsurprised.

“Color me stunned,” I drawled.

“Get off the phone, Teddy,” Mika ordered in the background. “She should be having cocktails with Jamie right now.”

“Fine,” he snapped at Mika, then to me, “I’ll let you go, beloved. We’re on it on this end.”

“For the G-Force, cocktails and closet privileges at my place.” I declared. “For you, pick your boutique.”

“Even if it’s Chopard?” Teddy tested.

“Dearest,” I cooed. “Who are you talking to?”

There was a pause, before, “I adore you too, Nora. And that classless piece of trash is not going to mess with you.”

My eyes started stinging.

“I have false eyelashes on, Teddy,” I warned.

“Of course, ta-ta,” Teddy said.

Then Mika was back on the phone. “Knock him dead, babe. Speak soon. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

We rang off.

I couldn’t say my panic was gone.

I could say I had hope for the first time in decades I’d get the happily ever after of my dreams.

So, absolutely.

The panic was not gone.

I went to the full-length mirror on the inside door of the closet, checked my dress (Mika was right, I had amazing legs), my lipstick and my lashes, and then I headed out.

There was a small bar in the aft lounge, so Jamie and I had decided to meet there that evening for a change of pace, and because the space was smaller, and thus less formal, but more relaxed.

I entered with a smile on my face that had a lot to do with the exceptionally cut blue suit and crisp, pristine white shirt Jamie was wearing.

My smile faltered when I noted he was prowling the floor like a caged tiger.

It died when he caught sight of me, stopped dead and pinned me to the spot with a lethal expression on his handsome face.

Oh dear, it appeared he seriously liked my cocktails and was not one with having to wait.

His gaze swept the length of me, settling on my legs, before he growled, “Are you fucking shitting me?”

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