Page 91 of The Night Before Christmas
‘Well, I can’t just give you his number or anything, I’m afraid.’ Felicity could feel her heart pounding out of her chest.
The person-who-was-obviously-Erika’s beautiful dark eyes narrowed and she lifted her perfectly shaped chin in apparent defiance.
‘I’m not some random stranger. My name is Erika. James and I are… old friends.’ She was gesticulating with gloved hands. Expensive-looking leather gloves, of course.
‘I don’t care if you’re his mum,’ replied Felicity. ‘I can’t give out his number.’ She could feel Andrea’s eyes on her.
Erika’s lips pursed sharply as if she had been asked to swallow something unpleasant. ‘I think you’re being rather unhelpful.’
Felicity clenched her fists. ‘I think you should go.’
And with that, Felicity stepped aside.Was that subtle enough?
Erika didn’t move, though. She threw a furious look at Andrea as if for assistance, but Andrea just spread her hands wide and shrugged.
‘I know who you are, you know,’ she said, looking back at Felicity. It felt like those incredible eyes were boring into Felicity’s very soul.
Felicity crossed her arms over her chest. Her Animal Saviours T-Shirt felt grubbier and more faded than ever.
‘Good for you,’ she replied.
‘Do you like the house? I designed that house; those interiors are all mine. That kitchen island is made of Italian marble.’
Felicity flinched. ‘Not my taste,’ she said, slowly.
Erika snorted. ‘That doesn’t surprise me.’
‘I think it’s probably because it’s so soulless.’
Erika drew her breath in sharply. Out of the corner of her eye Felicity could see Andrea’s head going backwards and forwards between them as if she was watching Wimbledon. She may as well have been munching popcorn.
‘I think you’ll find it’s minimalist.’
‘That’s one word for it. I prefer “empty”.’
‘Well, yes, you would think that. Clearly you have no appreciation for interior design. I suspected as much.’
‘Hey, we can’t all be stuck up our own arses now, can we?’ replied Felicity, her voice calm but her mind screaming a warning.
‘What the hell is going on here?’ came a familiar voice from the doorway.
James was leaning against the doorpost, looking impossibly handsome and also, somewhat cross.
Immaculate timing as always.
‘Ah, there you are, darling,’ said Erika, but James held up a hand.
‘Don’t “darling” me,’ he said. ‘And don’t think I didn’t hear what you just said to Felicity.’
Felicity did a little inward jig and put out a hand towards him, but he shrugged it off.
‘I heard what you said, too,’ he said, looking down at her with raised eyebrows.
‘I can explain.’
‘Save it for later,’ said James.
‘James, I need to talk to you,’ said Erika, ignoring this little exchange and lifting her immaculate chin even higher.
