“Hey.” Naomi appeared next to them unexpectedly. “Good to see you, Casey.”
The hug she gave Casey was tentative.
“Thanks. You too.”
“How’s Portland? How’s life?”
Casey guessed that every single thing she told Naomi would get back to Hannah—and Zoey. And she hated the idea of them looking at her life and finding it lacking. It was something Hannah had always needed to do, to measure her life against other people’s and feel like she was doing better.
“It’s good, thanks.”
They stood in silence.
“I’m going inside to get a coffee,” Naomi said. “Nice to see you again, Casey.” She gave Casey a small nod and disappeared into the café.
“Well, that wasn’t awkward at all.” Mercy let out a nervous laugh. “She’s sorry, you know.”
“She should be.” Casey had told Olivia all this was water under the pier. She had to make sure it was true. “But it was all a long time ago, so tell her she doesn’t need to be awkward around me. Things worked out for the best. Zoey is a much better match for Hannah than I ever was.”
And I’m moving on with Olivia Lang. Casey wondered how loudly Mercy would scream if she told her the truth.
“Well, that sounds healthy. And it’ll make it less tense for everyone at the party later if you guys can get along.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Casey hadn’t yet told David she was going to miss the party. She’d told herself a hundred times it was right to want to spend Olivia’s last night in London with her, and she was pretty sure he’d understand, but she couldn’t deny the relief she felt at being able to dodge Hannah too.
Casey’s phone dinged as Mercy headed inside to find Naomi. She fished it out of her pocket. It was Louise.
We just turned onto your street.
Finally. Casey let out a breath and smiled.
* * *
Olivia gave in and snagged one of the beers kept on ice in a cooler at the back of the float. It was a hot day and there was nowhere to shelter from the sun. The parade was moving at the pace of those walking—and singing, chanting, and dancing—meaning they hadn’t moved more than three miles in the last thirty minutes.
“I can’t believe we’re doing London Pride, Liv. Look at the crowds. These beautiful people are our people, and they are ready to party with us.” Louise pulled her into a hug before spinning her around in some form of dance move that Olivia was pretty sure breached all the health and safety guidance they’d been given before they got on board.
Louise was in a party mood. There wasn’t an inch of her that wasn’t covered in rainbows. And she made Olivia—with her rainbow garland and cute little rainbow earrings—look like she hadn’t made an effort.
“Leave her alone, Lou,” Liam said with a smile. “She’s had a rough night.”
Louise had even cajoled Liam into wearing a rainbow vest over his otherwise naked torso. And she hadn’t stopped touching him since they’d climbed on board. His arms, his back, his neck, his chest—anywhere there was bare skin. Old Liam would have found it overwhelming, but new Liam seemed to be reveling in her attention. It seemed that Michael making love to Jessie on screen had lowered both their real-life inhibitions.
“Does that smile she can’t keep off her face suggest a rough night to you?” Louise laughed. “She looks exactly like someone who’s spent the night in bed with our gorgeous driver.”
“Don’t, Lou.” They knew she’d spent the night with Casey in Brighton, but Olivia hadn’t been ready to tell them she’d fallen for her. And she didn’t want them making it sound casual. It wasn’t. Not to her.
“Don’t tell me you’re regretting it? Come on, Liv, you’re entitled to a bit of fun. And from what I saw this morning, it looked like you were having a lot of it.”
Olivia and Casey had said a lingering good-bye in the doorway to Casey’s room. Casey refusing to allow her inside, seeming to understand that Olivia had intentions that would have made them both late. But as they kissed one last time, Louise came out of her room and caught them red-handed. Casey blushed adorably and disappeared inside. And Olivia was left to face Louise’s inquisition. An inquisition that lasted as long as it took Olivia to change her clothes, dab on some makeup, and gratefully escape downstairs to Tania’s waiting car.
“I’m not regretting it. I just don’t like you making it sound like I’m fucking ‘the driver.’ I’m not Susie.” She hesitated. “And Casey is much more than that to me.” She caught the look that passed between Liam and Louise.
Louise held up her hands. “Okay, I’ll stop. But that look on your face that says you keep remembering all the delicious things you did to each other last night needs to go too. It’s not fair to those of us who aren’t getting any.”
The look Louise gave Liam wasn’t subtle. Nothing about her was subtle. It was one of the things Olivia loved most about her. She needed honesty and straightforwardness from the people in her life. They were qualities that had attracted her to Casey. Along with all the other more obvious ones.
“That one, that look.” Louise pointed at her but addressed the comment to Liam. “It says she’s feeling all gooey inside, but she’s not giving us any of the details. No fair.”
“We’re supposed to be working the crowd, not standing around and gossiping,” Billie shouted across to them.
For once, Olivia was glad of the interruption, glad to escape Louise and her prying. Billie had a handful of T-shirts. Every few yards, she was throwing one down to people watching the parade, while smiling and waving and occasionally posing for a photograph. They’d all been doing the same, but now Olivia wanted a sit-down and a beer. She didn’t want to be a party pooper. She was just tired.
She smiled as she took a swig of the beer. She wasn’t “just” tired, she was exhausted. Mentally and physically. And it was wonderful. The sore muscles in her back, calves, and thighs a testament to the night—and morning—that she and Casey had enjoyed before reluctantly leaving their love nest and getting the train back to London.
“Susie, can I have a selfie?” a young woman shouted up at her, walking alongside the float, easily keeping pace with it.
“The name’s Olivia.”
She could have gotten annoyed with her, but what was the point.
“Yeah, of course, sorry.” The woman waved her identity crisis away just like that.
Olivia knelt down close to the edge of the float—a well-decorated flatbed truck with open sides, which she’d been nervous about falling off ever since they got on board. The woman held her phone out at arm’s length and took a few shots, impressing Olivia with her ability to walk, pose, and keep them both in the frame.
As soon as she had what she wanted, the woman shouted for Phoebe, moving to the rear of the vehicle in the hope of attracting Billie’s attention. Olivia watched as Billie jumped down from the float, posed for a selfie in the arms of the grateful fan, and climbed back on board with the help of one of the assistants. It was kind of impressive. She pulled her gaze away and sat on the edge of the truck, her legs dangling over the side.
She held out her phone and took a selfie. The decorations were visible and bright behind her, the show’s logo bright purple against a silvery background. She deleted it and took another. And then another. Eventually, she decided that the one on her screen made her look cute and she sent it to Casey with a message that said: Happy Pride, I miss you.
Olivia was trying not to overthink things, trying not to hold back. It was Pride and she was missing Casey. And she was pretty sure, after everything they’d said and done last night, that she had a right to say it.
Her phone dinged.
Happy Pride. Anyone throw any underwear at you yet?
And then again.
I miss you too x
Olivia smiled. It was exactly what she neede
d to hear. Arriving back at the hotel had been strange. It felt a little like the bubble they had created for themselves, away from the reality of their situation, had burst. And worse, tonight was her last night in London. Olivia couldn’t help but let the doubts creep back in. They had a lot to do to make sure this wasn’t just some intense and crazy holiday romance.
“Olivia.” The voice was Billie’s. “Are you sure you want to be drinking that in full view of everyone? It’s a temptation for whoever’s got it in for you to take a photo of you holding that beer and looking—if you don’t mind me saying it—pretty rough around the edges.”
When Olivia looked up at her, she had a condescending smile on her face. One small shove would be all it would take to topple Billie off the truck. She didn’t want to kill her—not yet anyway. A small fracture that would take her out of action would be enough. Olivia wasn’t proud of the impulse, but Billie’s nerve in talking about whoever had it in for Olivia was breathtaking. Billie was still denying it—even when the three of them had confronted her with Liam’s “evidence,” but they all knew she was the one who had been planting the stories. And she knew they knew.
“Louise said I should stay out of your way. And I’ve tried, but honestly, Olivia, you do seem kind of out of control and I’m worried about you.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course, I’m always serious where you’re concerned.”
When they confronted Billie, her denials had been worthy of an Emmy. Billie got angry, upset, and then doubled down on blaming Casey. Even going so far as to suggest that Casey could have given the stories to the website while pretending to be Billie. When Olivia pointed out how little sense that made—the website offered no payment, Casey had no reason to harm her—Billie simply glared at her and walked out.
“You’re insane.” Olivia couldn’t think of a better word. She took a deliberately long pull on her beer and turned away.
Billie got next to her on the edge of the truck. “We have to clear the air, Olivia. You can’t keep ignoring me. We have a whole season of shooting to get through.” Billie tilted her head as she spoke. Olivia recognized it as her sincerity pose.
“I don’t have anything to say to you, Billie. And there’s no one else here so you don’t have to keep pretending. We both know what you did. I’m just struggling with the why part. I’ve never caused you any harm, never been anything but professional, so your desire to try to ruin my reputation is mystifying. And trying to blame Casey—someone else who has done nothing to hurt you—is just pathetic.”
Billie’s expression hardened. “I did it because of that look on your face right there. The one that says that you think you’re so much better than me. But guess what? You’re not. You being the star of the show doesn’t mean a thing. It just means you got lucky playing Susie. But I’m younger and I know how to play this game. Phoebe is already popular and you—with your stupid hang-ups and your determination to make a fool of yourself—are in my way.”
For the first time since she’d known Billie, she sounded like she was speaking from the heart.
“In the beginning, I genuinely liked you. I thought you were shy and needed a little encouragement from me. Then I thought maybe you were playing hard to get and wanted me to be the one to seduce you. Turns out I was pretty wrong about that.” Billie sneered as she spoke. “You’re more like Susie than I realized. Fucking around with Casey is such a Susie move. I mean, she’s hot, but where’s it going to get you? Apart from another bad news story, a story that I will happily pass on to one of the many journalists that I’ve cultivated. Because that’s how this business works, whether you like it or not. You should thank me. Maybe you being a drunk and fucking ‘the help,’ will make you seem more interesting. Though I seriously doubt it. You’re a fool to think that what matters is how good you are at acting.”
Billie shook her head. Her dismissal of Olivia was as clear as the threat she was making, but all the time her face carried a sweet smile and her tone suggested she wouldn’t hurt a fly. She was a much better actress than Olivia had ever given her credit for.
“For the record, I never thought I was better than you—or better than anyone—that’s your insecurity speaking. And honestly, Billie, if you’re that desperate for it, you can have it. The adoration, the star billing, the cover shoots. I never wanted that anyway. You didn’t need to fight me for it. I would have willingly given it to you.”
Olivia should have been angry, but she wasn’t. The games, the frustration, just made her weary and sad.
“I only ever wanted to act. But you’re ruining even that for me now. And I’m so damn tired of your bullshit, Billie. You need to leave me alone and leave Casey alone too. And if you don’t, I promise you that I will make sure that every studio, every journalist, every website I come across, hears the story of how you were so pathetically insecure and attention-seeking that you paid people to take photos of me and then made up a load of lies to try to ruin my reputation.”
“Who’s going to believe you?” Billie shot her a condescending look. “My lawyers would take you to the cleaners if you so much as suggested any of that was true.”
Olivia pulled her phone out from her pocket and waved it at Billie.
“That would be true unless I had a recording of you confessing it all to back up what I was saying. Honestly, Billie, it’s the oldest trick in the book. Recording it when your nemesis confesses. Maybe you’re not as switched on as you think you are. It’s my lawyers you need to be worrying about, not your own.”
Olivia gave Billie a cold, hard stare and got up before she could respond. She had no wish to spend a minute more with Billie than she had to. And of course, if Billie called her bluff and asked to hear the recording, she was in trouble. Because there wasn’t one. She hadn’t been prepared—or switched on enough. Not this time around.
Olivia moved to the back of the float where Louise and Liam were posing arm in arm for a photo. She grabbed a handful of T-shirts from the huge barrel behind her and began to toss them into the crowd.
Olivia felt a spark inside. It wasn’t anger, it was the beginnings of a crazy idea. Maybe she could use this mess with Billie to get out of her contract. She could claim harassment and the need for a break. And get them to send Susie away somewhere for a while, give Billie—give Phoebe—the star billing she was craving. She wasn’t bluffing when she said she didn’t want any of it. Maybe this was a chance to escape the madness. To get back to doing something that made her happier.
Her phone dinged in her hand. The message was from Casey.
I’m not sure if donuts are allowed while you’re representing that healthy West Hollywood brand of lesbian of yours, but if you stick your hand out in about thirty yards, I could make your sweet Brooklyn self very happy xx
Olivia read the message again, not understanding it the first time around. Then she lifted her gaze and scanned the sidewalk ahead of them.
As promised—and looking like every fantasy Olivia had ever had—Casey was standing at the roadside half a block away, holding a rectangular cardboard box. Olivia waved excitedly and her breath caught as Casey began to walk slowly toward the truck. She was wearing a tight white T-shirt and bright pink shorts, and Olivia didn’t know where to stare first.
The float was barely moving, so Olivia had plenty of time to register the arousal coursing through her body at the sight of Casey. It wasn’t a surprise. She had always wanted Casey like that. She’d wanted her since the moment they’d first met. But now she knew exactly what Casey tasted like, how it felt to have Casey on top of her, inside her—
She made herself stop. The day was hot enough.
The real surprise, as she watched Casey getting closer, was the way her heart lifted in just the way the romance books said it should. And she couldn’t keep from smiling, knowing that despite her worries that she’d never let herself trust anyone enough to fall in love ag
ain, in two weeks, Casey already had her heart.
Casey got into step next to the truck. She held out the box, seeming a lot shyer than when they’d said good-bye three hours ago. “I got some for Liam and Louise too. I figured they wouldn’t let you not share. They’re good. From David’s favorite bakery.” She pointed ahead to where she’d walked from. “It’s one of his many Pride traditions that we have lunch there and watch the parade go by. I was kind of hoping we might see you.”
Olivia took the donuts and sat down, putting them next to her on the edge of the truck.
“It’s a miracle you did.”
“Not quite a miracle.” Casey looked sheepish. “Louise was keeping me posted on where you were. I thought the float had broken down or something. I’ve been waiting with those donuts a lot longer than I expected.”
Olivia wanted to jump down and hug her. But she didn’t dare. There were too many people. They stared at each other for a beat.
“Nice shorts. Not sure I’ve seen you in pink before.” Olivia widened her eyes.
“Yeah, David won’t let me wear them when I’m working for some reason.” Casey smiled. “He also just told me I’m letting the side down today because of my absence of rainbows. He’ll be glad to see you’re doing your bit.” Casey looked her up and down slowly and Olivia got turned on all over again.
Olivia willed the universe to keep the truck moving at a snail’s pace so Casey could keep walking alongside, so they could keep talking and wouldn’t have to say another good-bye so soon after the last one.
“I’m heading back after this—”
“I’ve got the rest of the day off—”
They spoke at the same time.
“After you,” Olivia said.
“I’m heading back after this. I’m wiped out. I thought maybe I’d skip out on David’s afternoon plans and take a nap.”
The truck put on a spurt, and Casey had to jog slightly to keep up with Olivia.
“That’s us.” Casey pointed at a café a few doors away. Outside it, the small seating area was decorated with balloons and garlands and packed with people. As they drew almost level, the truck once again slowed to a halt.
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