Page 18 of Wild Tonic
“The usual. He was trying to feel me up in the back of the car and Finola stopped him.” Clem absently picked up a couple of items off the bed. “Which is why I’m going to her thing tonight.”
“Never mind all that. What about Nate? Did you hook up?”
A lick of pleasure contracted around Clem’s groin as she brought back the memories of that night—not that she intended to tell Leona everything. The corners of her mouth quirked as she nodded. Leona squealed.
“Oh my God, seriously? I don’t believe it! Was it different to Liam?”
The mention of Clem’s ex wiped the smile right off her face. She and Liam Avery had been seeing each other for around six months, right up until she found out he’d been sleeping with Anastasia Green, the only girl that Clem actively hated. Anastasia had a habit of ‘accidentally’ hooking up with other people’s boyfriends and it wasn’t the first time she’d been with someone directly in Clem and Leona’s friendship group. The look of triumph on the other girl’s face when Clem had confronted her was still fresh in Clem’s mind.
“Why did you have to mention him?” Clem sighed. “And yes, it was very different. It was pretty fantastic, actually.”
“Details?” Leona leaned forward, hungry for the specifics.
She shook her head. “Not prepared to share.”
“Oh.” Leona’s shoulders dropped and she frowned. “He wasn’t all that good then?”
Clem threw a pillow at her. “Take my word for it, he was good. Better than good, in fact.” Her eyes fell on the freshly laundered leather jeans she’d worn that night. It wouldn’t be right to wear them to Finola’s launch, not least because there would likely be a bunch of vegans or vegetarians there who would claim cruelty. “Now are you going to find me something to wear or not?”
Knowing she was beaten, Leona got up and went to the wardrobe. “What about this one?” She pulled out a navy wrap dress that had red and yellow flowers on it.
“You said that dress with sunflowers made me look like I was going to meet the parents. What makes this one so different?” Clem shrugged off the robe and slid the dress over her head. She turned and looked in the mirror, the deep v of the neckline gave a tiny hint of her breasts and the dress finished mid-thigh, showing off her legs.
“Talking of meeting people, are you seeing Nate again?” Leona was nothing if not persistent.
“I want to.” As Clem poked through her make-up bag, trying to find the eyeshadow she needed, it struck her how much she did want to see Nate again. It had been a while since she’d felt like this about anyone. She’d been wary of getting involved after the whole Liam and Anastasia debacle. Given that Nate wasn’t an immediate part of any group she hung out with, there was a chance it could work out. If only they could actually find the time to get together. As if on cue, her phone pinged with a message.
Leona beat her to the device. “Ooo, it’s from Nate! And there are kisses at the end!”
“Give me the phone!” Clem leaped across the room, but Leona held it just out of her reach. “Leona, please!”
Leona’s face dropped with seriousness. “You really do like him, don’t you?” she asked. “I’ve not seen you like this for ages.” She relented and passed it back to Clem.
Clem scanned the message.
What are you doing tomorrow night? We’re playing The Indigo Lounge in North Ridge. Thought you might want to come along xxx
Sounds great! Can I bring a friend? Xxx
What if I want to see you alone afterwards? Xxx
Then I’ll bring two friends… xxx
Nate’s response was a smiling emoji and another raft of kisses.
“Well?”
Clem couldn’t ignore Leona’s expectant expression. “Have you ever been to North Ridge?”
Finola’s launch party was in full swing when Clem arrived. She had found a cute restaurant just off the King’s Road. The huge private dining room was decked out with flowers in colours that matched her brand, there were tables of mini canapés and waiters circulated with glasses of champagne and elderflower pressè. It gave off a whimsical, ethereal vibe which suited the products perfectly. There were make-up artists doing demonstrations and even someone giving massages.
“Clem! Thank you so much for coming.” Finola drew Clem towards her, clutching her close to her skinny body. As she drew back, Clem noticed she was wearing one of the latest Stelle D’Oro t-shirts. She wanted to hug her again.
“Looks like things are going well.” Clem gestured to the people jostling for position around the demonstration tables and those who had already got their goody bags.
“Thankfully the vloggers and beauty experts I wanted to come along did. There should be so much interest.”
“Great news. No sign of Bryon though, right?”
