Page 22 of Such A Filthy Girl

‘I can’t see them in the city,’ she said.

‘A travesty, indeed. It sounds like the city has taken everything from you.’

A line formed between her brows when she glared at me. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Can you tell me you’re happy there? That any part of your life feeds your soul?’ She picked at the edge of the seat, taking her time to answer.

‘The food sure kicks ass,’ she remarked, a fake little giggle following her words. Graham walked onto the patio, slapping my dad on the back and gripping a gold club with the other hand. Estella’s eyes rounded as he approached. And there it was. A nugget of regret stealing in and making her frown.

It was enough.

Enough to know she could be swayed.

SIXTEEN

ESTELLA

The house bustled with chinking glasses and bubbling chatter. Finely dressed bodies filled every room, the arrivals well underway for my mum and Jack’s big party the following day.

I nursed a cocktail, very much feeling out of sorts with Leo nearby. An arm looped around my waist, and I jumped at the sudden invasion. Graham gave me an odd look, before pulling me tight against him.

‘Alright, babe? Having fun?’

‘Sure, of course,’ I smiled.

‘Your parents sure are popular.’ He sipped his beer before sliding his hand into mine. ‘We should do this on our tenth anniversary.’

I tried not to choke on my drink.

‘Maybe,’ I gave a strained titter. ‘Let’s worry about a wedding before pondering more than a decade down the line.’

‘Are you asking me to marry you?’ Graham’s brow lifted.

‘No,’ I spluttered.

He released my fingers and grabbed his chest in mock pain. ‘Oh how you wound me.’

‘You know what I mean,’ I deflected with a roll of my eyes.

My mother walked into the room, clinking her glass with the edge of a knife.

‘Darlings, how about a game before dinner?’

A chorus of noise churned around me, some groans but mostly glee.

‘Sardines,’ came a voice, to a cheer.

‘Sardines!’ My mother grinned. ‘ And lovely Leo can be the first sardine. Everyone gather in here and we’ll give him ten minutes to hide. Downstairs only please, Leo.’

Leo stood, his eyes meeting mine through the gathering bodies. My pulse quickened as I salivated over the slip of tattooed chest I could see.

‘I’m going to sit this one out,’ I said, taking one of the seats near the edge of the room.

Graham reached for my hand and hauled me upright. ‘Oh no you don’t. I know for a fact that your mother and Jack have some epic prizes lines up for these games. The first to find Leo will be in to win, and with two of us playing, we’ll have double the chance.’

‘Graham,’ I wheedled.

‘For me. Please?’

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