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“Duty calls.” I kiss Theo’s jaw.
“Come back soon,” he tells me. “I don’t know anybody here.”
I shake my head at him. Half of the room is filled with his friends, the other half with mine. Over the past few months when I’ve been in London, I’ve gotten to know his friends better, and I like them more than I can say.
Laura greets me with a bright smile. She’s already holding out a glass of champagne.
“This is the woman of the hour,” she tells the silver-haired man standing next to her. “Georgia, this is Damien Rutherford.”
I blink. The Damien Rutherford? He wrote an expose that brought down Leyland Bank ten years ago. “Hi,” I say, shaking his proffered hand. “It’s good to meet you.”
“I enjoyed your article,” he tells me.
It feels like I’ve won the Pulitzer. “Thank you.” My cheeks flush.
“So what do you have planned next?” he asks.
“Oh, I have plans for Georgia,” Laura says to him. “Don’t even think about poaching my staff.” She’s joking. I think.
“I’m heading to London for the summer,” I tell him. “To spend time with my partner. I’m planning on outlining a book while I’m there.”
I’ve already been approached by three publishers since the article came out. And Theo needs to be in London – for business reasons – so I thought it was a good time to show him that I’m all in.
When I glance across the room, he’s still where I left him, deep in conversation with Caleb. Beck is leaning against the wall beside them with a beer in his hand, laughing at something Caleb says. Daisy is in my bedroom, watching Disney movies, because apparently “grown-up parties are boring.”
“Well, if you ever need a job, come see me,” Damien says, passing me his business card.
“I will. Thank you.” I smile.
When I look back again, Theo is circulating, filling glasses. Jennifer and Derrick are hugging Barbara and Mike who are on their ‘holiday of a lifetime’. Theo planned it out for them. After today they’re taking a train across the country because Barbara’s always dreamed of seeing America by way of train.
He glances up, catching me watching, and gives me a look so dirty I’m afraid I’ll combust. Heat rushes up my neck as I quickly look away. Luckily, Damien and Laura are too busy talking about old acquaintances to notice.
I slip away, taking another sip of champagne as Theo’s mom touches my arm.
Like her son, she’s more relaxed. She’s cut her hair, revamped her closet, and is taking London by storm as a newly eligible divorcee-to-be.
“I really like your apartment,” she tells me. “Very modern and New York.”
“Thank you.” My reply is genuine. I’ve come to like her during the last few months. It’s not easy starting over, no matter how old you are, but she’s thrown herself into it. She’s even signed up for a dating app though I haven’t told Theo that. I think his head might explode.
She glances across the room toward her son. Theo is laughing at something Caleb said, his shoulders loose in a way I’ve never seen before. For a moment her expression softens.
“He’s so happy,” she says. “I never thought he’d be this light-hearted.” Her gaze meets mine. “I’m so glad you two made things work.”
“Me, too.” Then a thought occurs to me. “By the way, have you met Damien Rutherford?”
She tips her head to the side. “Rutherford,” she murmurs. “One of the Surrey Rutherfords?”
I bite down a smile. “No, a Manhattan one. He’s very single and very eligible. Let me introduce you.” I pull her over, introduce them, then step back from the group as Damien smiles at Penelope. She’s so beautiful and stylish, and when she’s not pinned down by the expectations of etiquette she can be pretty funny too. She certainly has Damien smiling already.
I reach Theo right as he’s finished filling everybody’s glasses. He presses the bottle to the rim of my glass, bubbles spilling out.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I tease.
“Just trying to make you happy.” He brushes his lips against mine.
“God, you two are so horribly domesticated,” Caleb tells us. “And by the way, I’ll allow you to name your first child after me. Since I’m the one responsible for you two being together after all.”
