Page 17 of Wilder at Heart
‘Seriously.’ My mind offers up a crystal-clear visual on Theo charming the literal pants off the socialites of the Upper East Side with his British breeding and cut-glass accent, and I shudder a little. ‘But by then I’ll be back with Jonathan, and babysitting your delightful cousin will no longer be my problem.’
‘So tomorrow…’
‘…is the first test. Persuade your aunt and uncle, and Miles, that Theo’s turning over a new leaf. That I can tame him.’
Elle snorts. ‘If they think you can do that, they’ll probably offer you a retainer. I absolutely cannot wait to see this with my own eyes. Lunch is looking up.’
I’m a little nervous about it, actually. Not of messing up—I’m confident I can deliver the goods in front of Theo’s family—but of being, well, intimate with Theo. Being touchy-feely. It’ll feel so weird. Almost like I’m cheating on Jonathan. I know how ridiculous that sounds, but still. I’m apprehensive.
My moment with Elle is interrupted by Josh appearing in the doorway in a tank and jogging bottoms, those world-famous biceps slick with sweat. He leans against the doorframe and grins at us.
‘Sorry to interrupt, ladies. Baby, do you have the energy for a shower? There’s a spot on my back I don’t think I can reach.’
His smile tells me there’s not a jot wrong with his range of motion.
Elle practically vaults off the bed. ‘I consider myself quite revived, Your Grace.’
Ew.
I’ll leave them to it, then. I grab Olive and mutter into her fur as we beat a hasty retreat. ‘Come on, darling. Let’s leave the sex fiends alone.’
CHAPTER 6
Theo
Iwish I could say it’s a non-event, meeting Josh Lander, but Jesus.
The guy is a fucking legend. When he’s not being a dick to my cousin, that is. And he seems to have done the work to win her back. So kudos to him.
I swing by Elle’s place on my way to my folks’, to pick up my ‘date’. We agreed it would be less weird to arrive together than to greet each other in front of my nosy family.
Elle answers the door. ‘Nora’ll be down in a sec,’ she says as I kiss her, which doesn’t help, because it’s suddenly like I’m picking up my date for prom and Elle’s her mum.
I shrug and follow her into the living room. ‘Sure.’
‘And this is Josh.’
Holy fuck. My brothers and I run in some pretty elite circles—I’ve had beers with Prince Harry in the back rooms of various pubs in South Ken in my past—but it’s always confronting to see someone super famous in the flesh. And boy, does Josh Lander in the flesh pack a punch. Especially in an open-necked shirt and a fucking nice blazer.
We lean in to shake each other’s hand.
‘How you doing, mate?’ I ask.
He pumps my hand, hard, and flashes me that famous grin. My poor little cousin didn’t stand a chance around this guy. Although he’s as lucky to get her as she is to have found him. When we were at uni, I had to beat my mates off her with a stick. Luckily, she found a boyfriend pretty quickly, so I didn’t have to worry too much when I graduated and left her to it for another two years.
‘It’s awesome to meet you, bro.’ He winks. ‘I’m pumped Nora’s found herself a nice guy.’
So he and Elle know. Okay then.
‘Keep it to yourselves, all right?’
They exchange glances.
‘Seriously. You two are supposed to be actors. I’m assuming you can handle a bit of family subterfuge.’
Josh hits me on the arm. ‘Our lips are sealed.’
‘Just take it easy with her.’ Elle narrows her eyes, assessing me. ‘She’s had a shit time of it with Jonathan, okay? Don’t fuck her up.’
