Page 9 of Carbon

“Yes, but at least she dates. It’s not her fault it’s so difficult to hold down a high-pressured job as well as finding an eligible bachelor.”

I wanted to scream at the injustice of it all. Angie didn’t date; she just had a whole series of one-night stands. And that high-flying career? That was my bloody job. Angie spent most of her working life on social media, which although necessary for Sapphire’s reputation, wasn’t exactly taxing.

“Please, Mother, I’m not—”

“Here they are now.” She pricked her ears at the sound of the doorbell. “Smile, Augusta. You look as if you’re about to eat lunch at a homeless shelter.”

Quite frankly, I’d have preferred that. I’d also have preferred if my mother stopped being so judgemental—I’d volunteered at a shelter last Christmas and met some really lovely people. But that was my mother. She’d go to the grave criticising the vicar’s choice of footwear.

Dorothy showed Mrs. Fitzgerald in, then scurried off as Mother tapped her watch. I wished I could have followed her.

“Sandra, how lovely to see you,” Mother cooed.

Air kisses followed while I stared awkwardly at Gregory. “Uh, hi.”

This was why I preferred to write all my words rather than speak them. My tongue tied itself in knots, and I never knew what to say. Except with Midnight. Words had been unnecessary, but my tongue sure had loosened in his mouth. Since my encounter with him last night, I’d checked my phone over and over for another message, but he’d been the silent one.

“Good to see you,” Gregory said, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek. “It’s been a long time.”

His tan spoke of warmer climes than England, but when he got close, I gave a subtle sniff and stifled my giggle. Yes, that delicate bronze colour came from a spray booth rather than the sun. I’d smelled the same strange aroma on Angelica. At least I could eliminate the possibility of him being Mr. Midnight—his sexy musk had been all man.

“Yes, it has been a long time. Fifteen years?” More than half my life. Honestly, what was Mother thinking?

“So kind of you to invite us around today.” He placed a hand on my arm. “Although next time, you don’t need to send your mother with your invite. I won’t bite.”

Ouch. His overly white teeth hurt my eyes when he grinned, and I clenched my own together. Mother told him this was my idea?

“I’ll remember that.”

“Anyway, how have you been? Have you stayed in Sandlebury all this time?”

Of course. I wasn’t brave enough to escape its clutches. “Yes, I still live at home. Angie and I share the annex. How about you? Mother said you lived in California?”

“Since I finished medical school. Met a girl from LA in my final year, and we moved there when we graduated.”

He’d become a doctor? That surprised me—he’d never seemed the altruistic type as a child. “I didn’t realise you’d gone into medicine. Which field?”

“Cosmetic surgery.” He showed me those teeth again. “Always happy to offer a discount to old friends.”

Well, that was generous of... Hang on. “You think I need work done?”

A little of his colour faded, from burnt umber to a disturbing shade of orange. “So sorry, I didn’t mean it the way it came out.” He ran his eyes up and down my body, and I wished I’d never asked the question. “No, you’re absolutely fine as you are.”

Fine? Fine? Last night, Mr. Midnight had made me feel desirable, sexy even, but Gregory had undone all that with one sentence. Still, Mother was watching me, so I swallowed the remains of my pride.

“That’s good to hear.”

Mrs. Fitzgerald clasped my hands in hers. “So nice to see you again, Augusta.”

“And you.”

Please, palms, stop sweating.

“I hear you’re working as your sister’s secretary.”

“Something like that.”

“Wonderful, wonderful. Not all girls are career-driven, you know, and that’s the way it should be. Far better to work for a few years and then stay home with the children while your husband climbs the ladder.” She pinched Gregory on the cheek, and he rolled his eyes. “Luckily, my Gregory has a good job.”

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