Page 74 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It
My best friend.
She’s here.
‘Okay, maybe the call is coming from right outside the house,’ she says, ‘but that didn’t sound as dramatic.’
I don’t even hang up the phone, I just charge towards her, and then we’re in each other’s arms and we’re both laughing and squealing and talking all over each other.
It takes me a second to register that we’ve never done this before, that as well as we know each other we’ve never physically been in the same room. Part of me had always been scared that I’d manage to make it awkward when we did eventually meet, but it looks like I didn’t need to worry.
‘Oh my god! You’re real! I can smell you! You smell so good!’ Tara sniffles. ‘Sorry, I sound insane. I’m so happy to see you.’
‘I’m so happy to see you!’ I exclaim. ‘I can’t believe this. What are you doing here?’
‘I was worried about you,’ she admits, taking a step back. ‘I knew you had so much going on and you were basically here by yourself without, you know, anyone who was Team Lee, and I had all this holiday I needed to use up, so I thought I’d surprise you. It was only when I got here that I realised it was such a strange thing to do, that we’ve never even met in person and—’
I cut her off, squeeze her arm. ‘No, no. You were right. It’s the best surprise. I can’t believe you did this for me.’ I find myself blinking back tears.
Tara’s smile widens, and it’s so strange seeing her standing in front of me. I knew she was pretty, of course I did, but in real life she’s stunning. Shorter than me in my heels, and all rounded curves. She’s wearing a leopard-print coat over the top of a pair of high-waisted jeans and a white T-shirt. Her dark curls are loose, her skin glows, her eyes are dark and sparkling with mischief.
‘Well, it wasn’t totally selfless,’ she says. ‘You had me intrigued about Roseport and I wanted to see it for myself. This place is amazing.’
‘Right?’ I agree, delighted to have someone to share it with, and then I realise we’re still standing outside. ‘Come in, come in!’ I tug her arm, pulling her inside where the others are all standing around trying not to look nosy.
‘Guys, this is my friend, Tara.’
Nico steps forward first, and Tara’s eyes widen before she darts a look in my direction. I shrug. Yup. I accidentally married the most handsome man in the world.
‘Tara,’ he says warmly. ‘Lee’s told me so much about you, although she refuses to let me join your book group.’
‘Are you a big romance reader?’ Tara asks, taking the hand he offers.
‘Well, no, but I’m always happy to try new things.’ He looks at me then and I feel flustered.
‘I am a big romance reader,’ Kat says, inserting herself into the conversation. ‘And I don’t know about this book club.’
‘Oh, Kat can definitely join,’ I say.
‘Did you just get into town?’ Mei asks Tara.
She nods. ‘Yeah, I dumped my bag at the Airbnb and got a cab over. I didn’t even need an address, just told the driver I was looking for Nico and Lee and he drove me straight here. It was only when we were on our way that I realised this was either a really cute surprise, or the sort of thing a psychopath would do.’
‘Or a serial killer,’ Phoebe puts in, considering my friend. ‘Although that’s statistically unlikely as only sixteen per cent of serial killers have been women.’
‘Well, of the ones they caught,’ Tara points out, and Phoebe looks much struck by this.
‘I don’t think you’re a psychopath or a serial killer,’ I grab her hand. ‘I’m so happy you’re here. It’s the best surprise.’
‘Let me get you a drink,’ Nico says. ‘Wine?’
‘I’m interrupting,’ Tara says, looking around, and everyone protests at the same time.
‘You’ll stay for dinner?’ Nico asks. ‘We ordered an insane amount of Chinese food.’
‘Chinese food and wine?’ Tara laughs. ‘Sounds like heaven.’
‘Did you say you’re staying at an Airbnb?’ I ask.
‘Yeah, there’s one above the bar in town.’ Tara accepts a glass of wine from Nico with a smile. ‘There aren’t a lot of places to stay around here with the inn shut but it’s nice… except I am sharing a room with quite a lot of wigs.’
