Page 107 of Wilder at Heart
‘She wants security, I’m going to show her security. Might set The Montague Group back another few million, though.’
CHAPTER 40
Nora
‘You’re getting the quick version of events’—I whip off my top, avoiding my freshly made-up face, and throw it on the floor—‘because Saoirse’s decided she needs me to help her pick up some painting she’s got for Miles and that isnoton my agenda, and it’ll probably take at least half an hour. An hour, even.’
‘Okay.’
Elle raises her shapely eyebrows at me from where she sits cross-legged on the massive bed upstairs in my and Theo’s beautiful cottage at Sorrel Farm. My fake boyfriend, supposed bedfellow for tonight and all-round love of my life, has not materialised yet, and with every hour he stays away, I wilt a little more. According to my WhatsApp group chat with Saoirse and her bridesmaids, he has indeed delivered the groom to Sorrel Farm, so I have no idea where he is now.
‘You all right, though?’
‘If you’re asking the wedding planner part of me, then yes, I’ll be fine, even though Jackson James confirmed that he’d arrive tomorrow by car and is in fact arriving shortly. By helicopter, naturally.’ My trousers hit the floor. ‘But if you’re asking the non-wedding planner part of me, then no. I’m not okay. BecauseI’ve fucked up so badly and I have no idea if I’m going to be able to fix it.’
‘Oh, sweetie.’ She blows out a sympathetic breath. ‘What the hell’s been going on?’
I summarise the whole sorry tale as succinctly as I can while hunting around in my suitcase for the sexy bra and thong I bought for this evening’s rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. A girl can dream. Or if she can’t dream, at least she can be prepared.
I tell Elle that the intimacy that bloomed between Theo and me in France only grew more intense when we got home.
That I found myself trusting him, and once the trust was in place, I was unleashed. We were unleashed.
That Theo’s behaviour shifted, and I stopped being able to read him like a book the way I had previously.
That I made the catastrophic assumption that if he had anything important to say to me, he would come right out and say it.
That I was so busy congratulating myself on being freed from my inhibitions around sex that I totally missed what was happening.
That it took Jonathan to open my eyes to the true reality. Theo had bowed out. He’d sacrificed his happiness in favour of what he thought would make me happy. WhatIthought would make me happy.
That Jonathan and I were both laughably relieved to discover neither of us had feelings for each other.
That Evelyn offered me a dream job.
And that I’d walk away from it right now and follow Theo to New York if it meant I had a future with him.
As I’m talking, I’m stripping. Off come my boring beige bra and pants and on go the sexy pair. Next up: a gorgeous Astrid Carmichael shift in palest pink wool crepe courtesy of Elle.
I halt my tale of woe, not ignorant of the fact that it resembles some kind of Shakespearean farce.
‘Zip me up?’ I ask her.
She hops off the bed as I twist behind her.
‘Bloody hell, Nor.’ Her voice is soft. ‘I leave you for a couple of weeks, and look what happens.’ She zips me up and rubs my shoulders kindly before coming round so she’s in front of me.
‘Tell me about it.’ I sigh.
She eyes me up, and I can tell she’s choosing her words. ‘Look. It’s a lot to take in. For you, I mean. But everything you’ve said sounds good, no? I can’t believe Theo broke down in front of Jonathan—he hates him so much. But if that’s not a sign he’s hopelessly in love with you, I don’t know what is.’
‘I don’t know.’ My eyes prick with tears of frustration. ‘I can’t get my head straight. I just need to see him. I know if I see him, talk to him, I’ll have my answer.’
‘I think it’s great that you both have feelings for each other.’ She pauses.
‘But?’
‘There’s nobut, really. I just want to make sure this is what you really want. I adore my cousin, but we both know how important having a secure life partner is for you. From what you’ve said, it sounds like he’s turned over a new leaf, thanks to you. But it’s a big step, walking away from your career for him. I mean, none of this is part of your plan.’
