Page 38 of Shout Out To My Ex

‘So, what should I do?’ she asks as I dodge a family of Americans who’ve just come out of the Nike store. ‘Pop?’

This is a well-established dynamic in our friendship. When it comes to advice, we have an unspoken agreement that we only give it when asked –andwhen the type of advice has been specified. Is she asking me to comment as her best friend, her pseudo-psych, or does she want a dose of tough love? I wait, knowing she’ll soon twig.

‘Oh, sorry. Wearing your bestie hat, please,’ she requests.

I stop outside Omega and look through the shopfront window at those ridiculous watches with all the dials and doohickies. They’re so huge, you’d need round-the-clock physiotherapy to wear one – either that, or you’d end up walking in a circle from the weight of it.

‘Okay. As your best friend, I’ve never seen you happier – or more yourself – than when you’re with Lauren. She’s a beautiful person, Shaz, and Tris and I already consider her part of the family – Ravi and Jass too,’ I say, referring to Tristan’s closest friends and now part of my extended family. ‘I understand if it feels too soon –believeme.’ She chuckles and we share the joke about me marrying Tristan only a month after we met. ‘But Shaz, if your heart knows it’s right, then tell your head to shut the fuck up and just say yes.’

‘You wandered into tough-love territory there at the end,’ she says.

‘It’s the next neighbourhood along and the boundaries get blurry,’ I retort. ‘Look, you don’t need to make any decisions right now. Come over when I get back from Paris and we’ll talk it through properly, okay?’

‘A reprieve!’ she exclaims. ‘How benevolent of you.’

‘I’m going now.’ I set off again.

‘Wait, what are you up to this arvo?’

‘I am taking myself up the Arc de Triomphe,’ I reply. ‘Haven’t done that since that trip we did in 2018, remember?’

‘Vaguely. I’m overdue for a trip to Paris.’

‘Maybe you and Lauren can come on your honeymoon,’ I tease.

‘Goodbye,’ she groans, ending the call.

I chuckle, about to put my phone away when a message comes in from Cassie:

Help! Elle refuses to go to Leo’s show.

I’m less than a block away from one of my favourite Parisian landmarks, but duty calls. I hail a cab so I can hightail it back to the hotel as fast as possible.

On the way, I send a reply to Cassie:

Reinforcements on the way!

I also send another text to Nasrin about the photoshoot and a bigger spread inNouveaufor Bliss Designs:

Any luck? May be urgent.

This time, she replies immediately:

Paloma is on it. Looks good. Keep you posted.

Phew. Ever since Shaz mentioned my pretence for being here, I’ve felt worse. Yes, I have lied to clients before – sorry,fibbed. I even lied to Tristan when he was my client, and that bit me in the bum big time. But this time… it feels more sinister, less noble than it usually does. Why didn’t I push back when Cassie came up with the idea? It’s one thing to create situations and conditions in which love can spark, but this impacts Elle’s career as well as her love life, and it’s blatantly obvious being a designer means the world to her.

And I truly understand that feeling. After my people – especially my husband, parents, and bestie – my job iseverything. I hope Paloma comes through for us.

As the cab turns onto the street the hotel is on, my phone chimes with a message. It’s Nasrin again.

‘That was fast,’ I say to myself.

Seen this?

She’s attached a photograph that may just be a game changer – especially now that Elle is refusing to go to Leo’s show.

Brilliant. Thank you!

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