“Later.”
She hung up.
I was smiling as I finished driving to work.
And when I got to my desk, I programmed Indy’s number intomy phone.
The next call came when I was at the mall, dashingthrough the skincare and makeup sections, eating Wetzel Pretzel bites forlunch, multitasking.
It was another number I didn’t know.
“Hello?”
“Hey,chickie.Ally.”
“Heya, Ally.”
“Were you at?”
“At the mall, doubling up on toiletries.”
“I heard.Righteous,” she said.“Listen, I know we’re on forthe party Saturday night, but you got some time during the day to meet me atFortnum’s?”
Fortnum’s.
I’d avoided it for nearly two decades for fear Darius stillwent there, and more, because I couldn’t face the happy memories that hadseemed so bittersweet, with emphasis on bitter.
Now they could just be sweet.
I felt something settle in me because I had Indy back, andAlly back, and I’d have Duke back, and Fortnum’s too.
“I can meet you, what time?”
“Eleven?”
“Works for me.And I didn’t get to ask Indy, but should webring anything to the party?”
“Just you and Darius and Liam.The guests of honor don’thave to contribute.But get your recipes in order.We do this shit a lot.”
Why wasn’t I surprised?
“We’ll bring a bottle anyway.”
“Suit yourself.See you Saturday.”
“See you then.”
I hung up and the saleslady told me my total.
I then fought fainting (one never stocked up on it all, allat once, but doing so was sobering, it still wasn’t going to deter me from myproducts, because I made bank, obviously so did my man, and I deserved them),and I handed over my credit card.
While she ran it, I programmed Ally’s number into my phone.
When I got out to my car, I shoved it all in my trunk with asmile.
Because I had to lug it all out there.
But Darius would order Liam to go out and get it when I gothome.
