Page 57 of My Devil Wears Denim
‘Sounds right up my alley,’ I say with a laugh.
She grins. ‘I’m Lila, by the way. I’ve seen you in here before. You’re usually with that tall guy in the suit.’
‘I’m Jade. Yes, that’s my boyfriend, Sebastian,’ I say proudly. ‘We actually met here. In that very booth.’ I point to where Kiki and my mum are chatting, and for a moment, they look like they did in the ’80s. I blink again, and they’re back to normal.
‘Whoa, this café is a bit...’ I bite my lip, not wanting to offend her.
‘Odd?’ Lila smirks. ‘Yeah, I get that a lot. Could be something to do with the owner, Jack Lovelock. He’s a little … unconventional.’
‘Oh, really?’ I reply casually, trying not to be nosy but dying to know more. But Lila seems happy to supply more details without me having to ask.
‘Yes, he’s my ex and he also owns Lovelock Hair Salon next door,’ she says with a grimace. ‘He “pops in” for a cappuccino and a chat almost every morning. It drives me nuts.’
‘God, how annoying,’ I say sympathetically, returning my purse to my handbag. ‘I would hate that.’ Inside I’m digesting this information greedily. It’s the journalist in me. Lila’s so pretty—surely Jack didn’t break up with her? She must’ve dumped him. Is that why he keeps coming in—to change her mind? Is he cute though? Or a dweeb? I can’t imagine her with a dweeb. He must be hot …
Lila bustles around, setting our cakes on a tray as I wrestle with the urge to ask a lot of inappropriate questions.
Then she tilts her head and looks at me, her hazel eyes brightening. ‘Actually, this might sound random, but I’m having a girls’ night on Tuesday, and you’re most welcome to join us. I live above the café.’ She gestures upstairs.
‘Oh,’ I say uncertainly, surprised by the sudden invitation. I hope I didn’t look desperate for company.
‘It’s nothing full-on—just a couple of friends, with some wine,’ she continues. ‘We might watch Millie Briscoe’s baking show, though my friends will protest, I’m sure.’ She laughs good-naturedly, and it reassures me that she’s just a friendly person who thinks I look fun to hang out with. Plus wine and a baking show doesn’t sound too crazy. It sounds nice actually.
I nod, feeling a little thrilled to be welcomed into her social circle. ‘OK,’ I breathe. ‘Great, thanks, that sounds like fun.’
Lila’s eyes twinkle like she knew I would say yes all along.
‘See you at 7 on Tuesday then, Jade,’ she says with a smile. ‘I’ll bring your coffees over shortly.’
I take my tray of goodies and head back to Kiki and Mum, feeling happy, excited and alltingly. Wow, this café is definitely the place to hang out if you want to improve your life. Lila is cool, and something tells me she might be just the sort of person to appreciate my time-travelling jaunt and my devil boyfriend.
But that’s a story for another day.
