“I know—it’s too good to be true.” She smiles fondly. “He’s older. He’s sweet. He never bullshits me.” Her voice hitches. “Turns out we want the same things.”
I perk up. “Like what?”
“Nope, we’re back on you. Please explain—why haveyou been denying the one man who actually cares about you?”
My heartbeat spikes. “You mean Brandon.”
“Ha. Yes. Your sexy BBC detective lookalike.”
My eyes boggle. “See?When you say things like that, how was I supposed to know you weren’t dating him?”
“Err, because I told you the roses were meant for you? And a gazillion-bazillion other reasons?”
“But…you said…the roses…” I try to recall her exact words.
“Well, he had to give them tosomebody, didn’t he? So, he gave them to me. And thenIgave them to Sean. Andhegave them to his mum. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.” She eyes me. “Poor Brandon’s been walking around like someone’s kicked his dog.”
I rub my face tiredly. “Oh God…this is such a mess.”
“A little,” Ellenor concedes. “So, I was right, wasn’t I? You secretly loved Brandon all along?”
Love. I’ve been pinballing around it so much I’m afraid to land on it.
“I can’t stop thinking about him,” I whisper, the words fragile. Then, “If you knew he liked me, why didn’t you say something?”
“Err, because I figured you knew? He’s obviously crazy about you.”
I open my mouth, but she barrels on.
“Honestly, Lil, sometimes I think you treat him like he’s your own personal Dumbledore—the younger one, played by Jude Law. Wise old mentor, always ready with advice. But he’s not magic, you know. He’s just a man who feels things.”
“For your information, he knows how I feel. Maybe not in so many words, but I tried—” I cut myself off—too late. Heat flares across my cheeks.
“Tried what?” Ellenor demands, eyebrows flying up.
I stare out the window. “To kiss him.”
“You’re kidding!And?”
I shrug. “He wanted to keep things professional.”
“Oh, Brando…” She rubs her temples. “Well, at least I know why you’re with Willoughby now. A bit of rebound sex to make him jealous.”
“What? I’m not—it wasn’t like that,” I splutter.
“No?”
“No! And I’m not with Jack anymore, if I ever was. It wasn’t going to work. Especially not after tonight.”
“Still can’t believe he was such a dick,” she sympathises. “Well, at least it frees you up for Brando.”
I frown, twisting the red fabric of my skirt. “I don’t know. Maybe he was right to keep things professional.”
She blinks, thrown. “Why? I thought you liked him. I get that he’s a bit dull—”
“He’s not dull.”
“No?”
