Page 68 of You Had Me at Merlot

Helen was nice and sweet and smart and attractive.

She also helped take her mind off Jamie Tolliver and all she couldn’t have.

Chapter Eighteen

“Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!” Leighton called, champagne glass in the air. She hugged Elise, who had invited her to the New Year’s party, and waited for Jamie to finish her jumping-in-the-air hug with Clarissa before claiming one for herself.

“It’s going to be a fantastic year,” she whispered in Jamie’s ear. “Just you wait.”

“It already is,” Jamie said back and kissed her cheek. “Two cafés, a new dog brother, and some really amazing friends. I’m blessed.”

Leighton pulled back, thoughtful. “Me, too. But only one bar and no dog brother, but I got a new doorman who offers me chocolate when I get home, so I’m equally blessed.”

“I keep waiting for my doorman to materialize. Pretty sure his name is Gerard and he has appeared in multiple cologne ads. He’s going to report to work any day now.”

Leighton laughed. “I will hope you get your New Year’s wish.”

Jamie fisted a handful of Leighton’s sweater. “I knew I could count on you. Now, I need to go find a giant brownie and consume it without help.”

It had been a fun evening at Elise and Jeremy’s apartment. About twenty of them had gathered around in the living room as the time had neared midnight, keeping things to a decent sound level since their one-year-old was passed out in her crib down the hall. Leighton was three glasses in and feeling grateful for the year behind her, and hopeful for the one ahead. She’d been on a handful of dates with Helen, who was currently in London for a long-planned family vacation. She had Jamie,who made every day better, her job, which she’d been able to turn into a truly rewarding position, and Courtney, who offered her a family tether.

Jeremy arrived next to her as Jamie departed. It was nice to see the guy again. It had been a while since they’d gotten together. She remembered fondly how it had been his engagement party with Elise where she’d first encountered Jamie outside of the bar. She owed him for that. He stared at her. Hard.

“What is that look?”

He leaned in. “So, you and Jamie. Are you a thing?” he asked in a quiet voice.

“No. Why?”

“Just a vibe Elise picked up on. She said there’s chemistry there and sent me on a mission to find out. It’s part of being married. You get sent on missions. Yesterday, it was to find rosemary scented soap. A bar. Not the liquid form. Today, it’s about the love lives of two of our party guests.”

“Marriage is missions. Who knew?”

He shook his head and passed her a rueful look. “You have no idea.”

“Good to know. I’ll file that away.” She touched her temple. “But I am seeing someone, and it’s not Jamie.”

“Whatever you tell me, I’m going to have to tell Elise.” His eyes went wide with warning. “Gossip is her currency.”

“Understood, and thank you for the heads-up. Elise is welcome to intel on my very mundane life.”

He narrowed his gaze. “You’re a Carrington. There’s nothing boring about you to us. We chat about diaper counts and drooling bibs.”

She laughed. “Got it. Well, her name is Helen, and this is our second time giving things a shot. A few dates in and so far, so good.” She gave her phone a little shake. “She actually woke up early in London so she could send me a Happy New Year text.”

“That’s fucking romantic. Not a drool cloth mentioned.” He smiled to let her know he was kidding. She was well aware of the fact that Jeremy loved his wife and daughter beyond all measure. His sense of humor, however, remained intact. She was glad for it.

“I want that, too, you know. The family. The middle of the night feedings. All of it.”

He nodded. “I wasn’t sure you did. You seem so happy.”

She nodded. “I tend to do that. Everyone always thinks everything’s wonderful in my world. That makes sense. It’s what I put out.”

“You should have been in PR like Elise.”

They clinked glasses. “Missed opportunity.”

“I see the snacks could use refilling, and my wife is shooting me a look with about seventy-five different meanings.”

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