Page 24 of The Story of Us
“Awesome! I’m pretty awesome.” Garrett high-fived himself, earning a rueful head shake from Nate.
“Is this conversation going anywhere in particular?”
“Jemima Jenkins is hooked. Her lawyers are finalising the contract. Whatever got you out of your slump—keep doing it because this deal is going to change your life.”
There was no stopping the memory of Eloise in his arms, her mouth pressed against his, and the soft sound she’d made when they’d pulled apart. The small moment they’d shared had unlocked him. “I don’t think that’s an option.”
The screen did nothing to soften Garrett’s piercing gaze. “Then make it one. Or figure something else out. This is it, bud. We’re talking about generational money for your family if the show’s a hit, and it will help us sell whatever you write next. Don’t fuck it up.”
Funny how that advice could be applied to finishing his series and to his feelings towards Eloise.
* * *
Basedon the way everyone froze when Eloise walked into the Wattle Junction Hotel on Monday night, word had definitely got out.
She’d kissed Nate.
She plopped into the seat next to Alice at the bar. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Then coming to the pub was a bad idea. I ordered you some wedges with extra sour cream. I even sprung for the bacon bits. Takeaway, too, in case you want to get out of here.”
Eloise gave Alice a one-armed hug. “You’re my favourite person.”
“That’s sweet, but we both know they’re a bribe. Dress it up however you want.” Alice nudged a tall, icy glass towards Eloise. “Figured you’d be on the dry.”
“Forever.” Eloise shuddered. Her skin heated from the weight of everyone’s attention. The usual crowd were all here for trivia. To her left, Joanie and some of the Old Girls were giggling over pitchers of margaritas. Sera and her friends were tucked in the back corner, pink drinks decorated with umbrellas and pineapple wedges in front of them. Sera waved; Bianca rolled her eyes.
Excellent.
And in the front, near the big speakers and stage, was the James family. The seat next to Owen was empty, and Eloise would bet Alice had been sitting there. All the brothers were watching something on a phone, plates of half-eaten chicken parmigiana in front of them, a jug of beer in the middle of the table.
Eloise shifted her gaze and inspected the rich mahogany bar. After a minute of silence, she picked up her drink. Might as well get this over with. “Go on then.”
Alice grinned, her eyes lighting up. “Are you going to be my sister-in-law?”
“I must’ve missed your and Owen’s engagement announcement. Congrats.”
Alice tapped her lips and feigned innocence. “Firstly, don’t say that too loudly. God knows who will overhear you and think we’re actually engaged. But I’m going to need all the details.Allof them.”
Eloise frowned and played with the paper straw in her drink.
Alice scooted closer and lowered her voice. “What’s with the face? Isn’t this amazing? You’ve wanted this for so long.”
The man in question stood on the other side of the room and patted his pockets. They both watched as Nate leant down and kissed Lulu on the cheek before shaking hands with his brothers and father. Eloise’s eyes never left his muscular form.
“There’s barely a story to tell.”
Which wasn’t true but she’d be taking what had happened that night to her grave.
A waiter placed Eloise’s wedges on the bar, and she opened the container and picked one up, chewing it for longer than necessary. The crunchy, golden potato wasn’t nearly as satisfying as normal.
She could tell the moment Nate saw her. He straightened, standing tall, one hand slipping into the pocket of his faded, worn-in-all-the-right-places jeans. His beard was longer today, and she shivered, imagining how it would feel against her skin.
She’d give up carbohydrates to remember their kiss. Nate swore he’d stopped it when he realised she was tipsy, which was very gentlemanly of him. But had it been soft and sweet, a brief peck between friends that didn’t mean anything? Or long and slow, a casual exploration of each other’s mouths? Like a fire that started with a small spark and became an inferno. Based on the text message she’d received from Charlie—a simpleWhat the fuck?—it’d been more like the latter. She might know if she hadn’t hightailed it out of his place three seconds after he’d revealed that they’d locked lips, stammering that she needed some fresh air and refusing his offer to drive her home. At least Lulu had left a jacket and a pair of sneakers at Nate’s house that she could borrow. There’d been something in his eyes that looked like disappointment, but that was probably just the hangover goggles. The walk back to her grandmother’s had been sobering, confusing and uncomfortable, the pain from her burn transforming into a throbbing ache by the time she’d flopped down on her own bed, her head messier than ever.
Coming to trivia had been a mistake. The buzz of conversation dropped to a whisper as Nate edged around the tables.
“Yeah, I’m going to pack these up for you. Seems like you might be leaving very soon,” Alice murmured and in her peripheral vision, Eloise saw the lid click shut on her wedges.
