My Year of Saying No by Morrey Maxine

Author:Morrey, Maxine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2020-04-15T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

‘You OK?’ I asked as we walked back from the bank of lifts, having seen my parents off, but not before them having secured an agreement from Seb that he’d come to Sunday lunch the following day.

‘Me? Sure.’

‘OK.’ I nodded.

‘Honestly, Lots. If this is about earlier, put it out of your mind. I have.’

I wrinkled my nose. ‘I just don’t understand why he was like that. I can understand him being rude to me, but he’s never even met you!’

‘People are what they are. But I can think of a couple of good reasons.’

‘You can?’

‘Yep.’

‘Which are?’ I asked, leaning against the wall next to the front door that we’d left ajar.

Seb tilted his head at me. ‘One, you.’

‘Me?’

‘Yep.’

‘Why me?’

‘Because he clearly fancies the arse off you and you turned him down. Twice. And then he sees you standing with me and, by the look he gave, obviously thinks something’s going on.’

‘But it’s not,’ I said, wrinkling my brow.

Seb looked at me for a long moment, then shook his head. ‘No. It’s not. But it’s not hard to see old Tarquin isn’t one worried by the facts.’

‘So, what’s number two?’ I asked, readjusting my position on the wall and trying not to slide down it. All of a sudden, I was really, really tired.

‘You all right?’

‘Mmmhmm. Number two is what?’

‘He’s got a chip on his shoulder about not making it in the military.’

‘But, and it pains me to say this, if he had a medical condition, it can’t be helped.’

‘True. But that doesn’t always stop people regretting stuff. It can be hard to let go if that was your dream.’

I shook my head and then put a hand out, finding Seb’s chest to steady myself on. Note to self, do not shake head after that many champagnes.

Gently, Seb rested a hand at my waist. ‘You OK?’

‘Yep. Just… old brain got a bit loose in there for a moment.’ I looked up and saw his smile. ‘What’s funny?’

‘You are. But in a good way.’

‘I will accept in a good way.’

‘Excellent.’

‘But you’re still wrong. Tarquin’s not that bothered about me. Certainly not enough to insult you over. He’s just annoyed with me because he thinks someone of my comparatively lowly station should be so impressed by all his money and trinkets that I should be forever grateful he chose me to bestow his cheap propositions on. The idea that someone, anyone really, but especially someone like me should dare to say no has just put his aristocratic nose out of joint.’

‘I think there’s more to it than that. Being turned down by you would be upsetting for anyone.’

I looked up, but the light was low in the hallway and I couldn’t see his expression. ‘You’re teasing me.’

I saw his head tilt briefly. ‘Maybe. Maybe not.’ His voice was soft, low and deep and I felt something shift within me. A flame that I’d been trying to keep doused made a flicker into life from the embers.

‘Seb, I—’

‘Where have you been?’ Jess burst into the hallway.

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