Page 18 of Wilder at Heart
That hurts. I hold up my hands. ‘I have zero intention of fucking her up. She’s a nice girl.’
‘Damn right she is. Too nice for you. So don’t go accidentally shagging her or anything like that. Boundaries, Theo.’
Jesus Christ.
‘I have no intention of shagging her, accidentally or deliberately. All right? She’s not my type.’ She’s not. I like girls who don’t need me to convince them to have fun. Not like Little Miss Sensible. But then, that’s precisely why she’s the perfect fake girlfriend.
Josh snorts. ‘I heard about the on-screen threesome, man.’ He shakes his head. ‘Nice work.’
I roll my shoulders and stick my hands in my pockets, suddenly uncomfortable. That bloody thing is going to follow me to my grave; I can tell. ‘Not my finest hour,’ I tell Josh.
‘The ones they get on camera never are.’ He nods sagely. ‘No worries, bro. They’ll get over it. If anyone can help you rehabilitate your reputation, it’s Nor. Stick with her and you’ll be fine.’
That’s really an excellent point. I’ve been hoping Nora will warm my parents and my brother to me, but I hadn’t thought about my broader reputation. Maybe a few public outings with her aren’t a bad call. Especially if I can get us both in the society pages.
I’m aware of a scampering sound before Elle’s little dog hurls herself at me, her body twisting and her bum wiggling in utter delight. I’ve only met her once or twice, but I bet she’s like this with everyone. I bend and scoop her up.
‘Hey there, little buddy.’
I let her lick my face, but when she goes for a full-on snog, I hold her away from me. ‘No, thank you.’
‘Hi, Romeo.’
I turn. Nora’s framed in the doorway. Sweet Jesus. She looks bloody gorgeous. She has a sleek cream dress on with some kind of leafy print, and her hair falls softly around her bare shoulders. She’s done something different with it—she’s really pushed the boat out for this lunch, and that hits me in the chest in a weird way. It makes me want to do a good job for her, if she’s taking today this seriously on my behalf. After all, Jonathan’s not here. Today’s ruse is for me, not her. And right now, she looks like any mother’s dream date for her wayward son.
I’ll have to keep track. Make sure I hold up my end of the bargain.
I try not to focus on how the dress skims her body perfectly. She shifts against the door frame in a way that tells me she’s nervous. Or awkward, at least.
‘Hi, Belle.’ I cross the room, and she tilts her face up so I can kiss her on both cheeks. When I’m done, I smile down at her.‘You look very lovely, Fake Girlfriend. My parents will eat you up. You sure you’re ready to do this?’
She nods determinedly. ‘Let’s get it over with.’
‘Romeo’s your name for him?’ Josh asks from across the room.
‘His surname’s Montague,’ Elle explains.
‘Ah. Got it. So it’s nothing to do with your reputation?’
‘It’s a fitting nickname. Believe me.’ Nora’s tone is as flinty as her face.
We agree that Josh and Elle will take Josh’s car so they don’t get papped, and Nora and I will walk the short distance to my folks’ place with Olive. It’ll give us time to get our story straight.
‘So we got together at the engagement party?’ she asks as we stroll.
It’s a gorgeous, leafy May day. There’s no better time to be in London. The magnolia and cherry blossom have gone, but the wisteria is out in full force. Heaven. Just walking through the pretty streets of Notting Hill makes me feel able to drop my shoulders. My family’s disapproval of me is suspended momentarily, though it’ll be clear as day once we rock up at my parents’.
‘Yeah. Let’s say I asked you out then, and we went for dinner this week. That work for you?’
‘Okay. Where did you take me?’
‘I dunno. Where would you like me to have taken you?’
She considers. ‘Daphne’s?’
Daphne’s is a fantastic Italian in South Ken that’s been around for donkey’s years.
‘Perfect. Classy chick. And I owe you dinner at Daphne’s, at some point.’ I bump her on the shoulder and she rewards me with a small grin.
