My eyes swept the room, but it didn’t take long to spot Eliza. Like the rest of the room, I was drawn to her like a magnet, because Eliza was stillthat girl. You know the one. The type that made heads turn in a room. The one you couldn’t go into a queer bar with because every woman wanted to talk to her. Even the ones in relationships.
Shoulder-length blonde hair that was always salon-perfect, crystal blue eyes, and a confident strut and posture that put Margot to the test. She’d obviously had the same idea about timing, because she was only just sliding onto a bar stool thatoverlooked the glittering city through floor-to-ceiling windows. Apparently, my heart had not progressed past adolescence because it chose this exact moment to perform some sort of gymnastics routine in my chest.
Even though Eliza was gorgeous, it had never been likethatwith us. To me, she was the girl I looked up to. The one I built forts with, laughed with, talked about girls with. When we were kids, we’d decided Barbie didn’t need Ken, and that both of our dolls could live together. Eliza was my queer role model when there weren’t many others around.
Had I ever thought about kissing her? Of course. She was stunning, and I had been a teenager just realising who I was and who I liked. But I neverreallyconsidered Eliza like that because she was a full-grown woman and I was not. She was out of my league.
Plus, I hadn’t wanted to fuck up our friendship. Which just went to show what 14-year-old me knew. As soon as Eliza scored her first serious girlfriend and went to university, she’d barely acknowledged my existence. It still hurt.
Her eyes swept the room and landed on me. She gave me a cool once over, but her face didn’t move. No smile, no wave. Normal Eliza. I’d no idea what happened to the girl I grew up with. She couldn’t be like this with everyone. I’d seen her laugh in other people’s company. Just never in mine. For me, she reserved scowls, sneers, eye rolls, so I gave them right back. It had gone on too long to question now. But maybe one of us needed to.
I walked over and pulled out the stool beside her. My bum hadn’t even hit the tan leather before she spoke.
“I want you to know, this was not my idea. I’m as enthused about this arrangement as I think you are.”
It was such a ludicrous first statement, I almost laughed. “Good evening to you, too.” I looked her in the eye. “Great to see you again. How have you been?”
Contrition flickered behind her sapphire-blue eyes, but she didn’t respond.
“And no, I’m not exactly pumped about it, but we’re here. And if I want to save Voss, I have to make it work. If you could save the attitude for another day, I’d appreciate it.”
Something passed across Eliza’s face: surprise, maybe even approval. She’d expected the old Poppy, the one who would have shrunk back.This version was unexpected.
“Who rattled your cage?”
She was used to being top dog and getting what she wanted. The only hiccup in her life was her parents splitting up, but at least they were both still in her life. Both alive. A divorce was not a death.
“You,” I replied.
The server appeared with two cocktail menus, and I buried my head in it, happy for the distraction. I wasn’t sure where my initial bravado had come from, but it was fading fast. My heart-rate, which had kicked up at the first confrontation, had settled.
What cocktail was best for when you felt open, vulnerable?
I scanned the list. My go-to was usually gin-based. All the cocktails had ingredients I hadn’t heard of. I settled on something called a Pink Paradox. It described my drink, but also my current situation. Eliza ordered a gin and tonic. Maybe we had more in common as adults than I imagined.
“I was trying to work out, on the way over, when was the last time we saw each other.” She paused. “I mean, IRL. Not on socials. That doesn’t count.”
“You don’t post much.”
She shrugged. “I don’t have much to say.” She extended a graceful finger. “Whereas you, for a while, were almost aninfluencer the amount you posted.” She glanced up. “Lately, you’ve gone quieter.”
“Less drunk.”
Our drinks arrived. Mine was bright pink with a slice of grapefruit on the side. I sipped. At least it didn’t taste pink.
“Tell me, then,” I continued. “If you really didn’t want to do this, why did you agree?”
“You’re a smart woman. I’m sure you can work that one out.”
“Something to do with your dad?”
“Bingo,” she said. “My latest project has just gone through, and I happened to be there when Margot got off the phone with you and told him. He jumped to this decision before I’d even blinked. Plus, he’s sleeping with your aunt, so he wants to do right by her.
“Also, I need to toe the line, because he’s making noises about retiring in the next couple of years. He knows I can take over, but I need to show willing to do whatever he wants.” She sighed. “Even though I’m not sure I want to take over, but that’s a tale for another day.” She gazed off into the distance before her eyes settled back on me.
She didn’t want the big job? I’d always pegged Eliza as someone who wanted success at all costs. She had a ruthless streak, and didn’t stop until she got what she wanted — in work and in love.
However, staring at her sad face, perhaps that wasn’t as true as everyone thought. Or maybe she was already worming her way under my skin. I had to toughen up. I wasn’t going to surrender to Eliza’s charms the moment she offered them. I was older now. Wiser. I no longer needed Eliza’s acceptance and validation.
