Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 141385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
“Here, hold this.” She shoves her bag at me, and I have no choice but to grab it before it clatters to the ground. She does the same thing with her current coat, shrugging it off and enthusiastically passing it to me, then puts on the new one.
She shimmies over to the nearby mirror and does up the buttons. I can’t help but smile as I watch her.
She reminds me a lot of Finn; a walking ball of sunshine that can brighten any room she walks into. She just emanates joy, although I saw enough of her father at the banquet to know it’s not that simple.
No.
Even the sun has dark spots.
And Valentina has some of her own.
I’d wager they’re simply hidden, just like mine.
Maybe that’s why I feel so comfortable around her. Sure, our shared experience at Sayana’s hands is definitely something, but this connection with her feels natural. Not something to be forced or even something that must be worked for.
Nurtured, sure.
But not worked for.
Like she was always meant to be in my life.
A bit like Finn.
“What do you think?” Valentina asks, spinning around and holding out her arms. “Shall I buy it?”
I nod. “If you don’t, I’ll buy it for you.”
“Oh, well, you don’t need to tell me twice.” She slides her arms out of it, then pauses, a sour look darkening her features. “She’s found us.”
I turn around, facing the entry of the store, and pause. Jasmine is walking in, one of her friends hot on her heels, and she scans the whole place until her gaze lands on me.
Our eyes meet for a moment, and she hesitates, deliberately stopping so her friend walks into her. She almost trips and grabs onto Jasmine’s arm to steady herself, then says something I can’t hear. Jasmine replies, and her friend looks up, her eyes narrowing when she sees me.
“Faye Townsend,” Valentina mutters. “My stepbrother’s on-off fuck buddy.”
Oh, joy.
“She’s pulled out the big guns, it seems.” I match her volume as I turn away from them.
I know what Jasmine wants.
And not giving her my attention is just one way to rile her up.
I hand Valentina back her coat and she puts it on before taking her bag from me.
“Valentina. What a surprise to see you here.”
Valentina barely glances at her. “Faye. Jasmine. What a coincidence. I didn’t think either of you shopped this particular brand.”
“Not usually, but there’s a dress Jasmine is interested in.” Faye’s cold brown eyes swing towards me. “I see you’re cosying up just like your father taught you.”
Oh.
I don’t like her at all.
A cold chuckle escapes Valentina as she secures the coat back on the hanger. “Well, you’d know all about cosying up to people better than you, wouldn’t you?”
“You—”
“And for what it’s worth, Harriet and I were friends when we were children. I’m thrilled that we’ve reconnected after twenty years.” Valentina turns to Jasmine. “Jasmine. You look well, all things considered.”
Oh.
That’s catty.
Jasmine forces a smile. “I have no idea what you mean. I’m happy for Harriet. After everything she’s been through, she deserves some happiness.”
“Mm. And I suppose you know exactly what she’s been through. In the last two years, at least. By the way, have you spoken to the DeLaurentis’ recently?”
She pales. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I must be mistaken. I heard that it was one of the Sinclairs who did that hit and run on his car. It was said to be a distant relative, but then Harriet was revealed, and...” Valentina shrugs. “I wondered if perhaps you’d checked in with them, given the injuries his girlfriend received.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Jasmine says flatly. “The pictures showed a blonde driver, and I am clearly not blonde.”
“True.” Valentina looks at me. “I just can’t see the Royal Family welcoming someone with such low morals.”
“Hm?” I look up from the rack of dresses I’ve been absent-mindedly rifling through. “Oh, I haven’t driven in about two years. I don’t even possess a physical licence right now. I’ve got no idea what happened.”
Jasmine clenches her jaw. “Harriet. I haven’t spoken to you since the banquet. You aren’t answering your phone.”
If you can count one missed call as not answering your phone... sure.
“People do miss calls,” I reply. “Especially when there’s only one. And no message.”
She clenches her fist at her side before quickly releasing it. “Yes, I’ve had some issues with my phone. Dad tried calling, too.”
“Oh, did he? I must have missed all of those, too.” I pause. “I didn’t see them at all.”
“Are you sure?”
“Would you like to see my phone? Check the call log?”
“No, no. It’s fine.” She glances at Faye. “Can we talk for a minute? Sister-to-sister?”
Valentina turns around and rolls her eyes. “My arse,” she mutters, just loudly enough for me to hear it.
“Of course.” I look at Jasmine and smile, then motion to a more open area of the store. “Shall we go over there?”