Page 45 of All the Right Words
Gina looked down at her drink. ‘Good for her,’ she said. It could have been read as snarky but Harper felt she meant it. Brenda was an arsehole, yet Gina wanted her to succeed. It was a surprisingly kind moment coming from a very cynical human. But Harper was finding that this kept happening. Gina seemed so removed, yet she would show up if you needed her. Whether you were having problems with your novel or your guts were falling out of your arse. Gina’s bitchy face would show up and save you.
‘You know what’s strange? I knew you for years, and we barely exchanged words. And now, I don’t know what the hell I’d do without you,’ Harper told Gina.
Gina looked surprised and even embarrassed. ‘That’s a bit much.’ She began to fan herself. ‘It’s too hot in here.’
Harper burst out laughing. Gina stopped in the middle of her fumbling. ‘What’s so funny?’
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look flustered before.’
Gina looked away. Harper was undeterred. ‘It suits you, actually.’
Gina looked directly at Harper for a moment, the eye contact with those cool dark eyes very nearly unnerving. She looked like she was going to say something, and Harper wanted to know what it was.
But then her phone rang. Olivia’s name flashed on the screen. When Gina saw that name, her mouth closed, and she shrank slightly. ‘You better get that.’
‘I don’t have to. I can call her back,’ Harper offered.
‘No. Get it. I’ve got to get off now. Got a date tonight if you’re done with me?’ she said, already standing, practically out of the door already.
OfcourseGina had a date to get to. It was Saturday night, and she was the kind of woman who could take her pick. Harper felt sad their moment was ending so abruptly. She’d never know what Gina might have said. Opportunity lost. ‘Job well done. I’ll call you if Joey needs-’
‘Cool.’ And she was gone.
Harper sighed and picked up the still ringing phone. ‘Hi Olivia.’
‘Hi! Are you free tonight?’
‘Sure. What were you thinking?’ Harper replied distractedly. She was still wondering about Gina’s unspoken words.
Twenty-Seven
Gina walked into the bar with absolutely rock-bottom expectations. It was somewhat comforting, the idea of giving up and letting the universe have its way while she tumbled down to rock bottom to see life out on someone else’s terms.
She saw her sitting at the bar, quickly recognising her bum length purple hair from the profile. ‘Hi,’ she greeted Alison, who turned from the bar, a shot of something clear in her hand.
‘Oh, hi.’ She necked the shot. ‘Started without you. Hope you don’t mind.’
‘You do you,’ Gina said, disconcerted by how this thing was already feeling off.
‘We’d better get you caught up. What are you having?’ Alison asked.
‘I think just an OJ?’ Gina said.
Alison turned to the bartender. ‘Vodka and orange juice.’
‘No,justOJ,’ Gina instructed the bartender.
Alison was aghast. ‘You’re being serious? You’re notdrinking?’
‘Not a big drinker,’ Gina shrugged.
Alison was shaken to the core. ‘Like, youonlydrink lager?’
‘I’m just not very into booze,’ Gina said, already thinking that she needed to make an exit. Why the hell hadn’t she set up some kind of system with a friend?
Just then, her phone rang. It was a miracle. She checked her phone. Olivia, of course. ‘Oh, shit, my boss,’ Gina told Alison. ‘You mind?’ she asked, but she was already accepting the call. Alison shrugged and turned back to the bar.
‘Hi,’ Gina greeted Olivia happily.
