Page 37 of Here in My Heart (Here Together #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

“I told her that one best friend was more than enough, but Elda’s greedy.” Jack threw Sylvie’s holdall across his slim shoulder and winked.

“Elda is one of the most demanding people I know when it comes to love and affection. She has it in spades and still wants more.” Sylvie giggled. “I’m sorry to usurp your position, but I promised I’d come for the exhibition launch, and I missed the last one.”

“Yeah, she wouldn’t stop complaining when you didn’t show up in Edinburgh. I never thought she’d forgive you.”

Sylvie winked. “I have my ways.”

“I bet you do, you minx.” Jack held open the door to their hotel.

He’d lost none of his British charm since she’d last seen him.

His previously skinny frame had filled out with muscle, and he boasted a healthy glow on his fair skin, which reassured Sylvie that all was well, despite Jack’s years of hedonism with Elda as his sidekick.

He was a magnet for fun and laughter, attracting like-minded people who found joy in life, even in its darkest moments.

Sylvie loved him all the more because he could be there for Elda when she couldn’t.

“Now,” Jack said, “I need to warn you that my new boyfriend is super stylish and will give your Parisian ways a little run for your money.”

Sylvie doubted that. Jack’s last beau had been a fleeting guest at their dinner table one hot summer afternoon a couple of years ago. He was tall and handsome, no denying that, but had all the grace of a baby giraffe. “What’s his name?”

“Julius. ”

Sylvie stifled her laughter. “As in Caesar?”

“As in, Smith. Julius Smith.” He shrugged.

“I look forward to meeting him.”

“Good, because there he is at the bar. I messaged him our order.” Jack pulled her suitcase through the grand foyer of the hotel.

“Darling, this is Sylvie Boucher, Elda’s second best friend.

She’s French, and she looks down on most people, but I’ve warned her that you have a sense of style to rival Dior himself. ”

Sylvie smirked at the introduction, used to Jack’s unique sense of humor. “Delighted to meet you, Julius. I’ve heard very little about you, but I get the sense that by the end of the evening, we shall be the best of acquaintances.”

Julius took a ridiculous bow, dipping his perfectly coiffed hairline. Sylvie wasn’t sure whether he was greeting her or beginning a performance.

“Enchanted to meet you.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it gently.

“Such a gentleman.” Sylvie grinned at Jack. “What do you see in our friend Jack the lad?”

Julius winked. “He has his moments.”

“Don’t I just.” Jack nudged him in the ribs. “I’ll pop your bag at reception, Sylvie. We’d better get a wriggle on if we’re going to make it in time for the canapés.” Jack passed Sylvie a flute of champagne and drank his own.

Sylvie and Julius tsked in tandem. Reunited with Jack and already finding a fellow comrade in Julius, Sylvie looked forward to the evening, despite Ade’s absence nagging at her.

By the time they reached the gallery, Jack was in full swing, regaling Sylvie of tales of more travels across Europe and his journey back to England where he’d met the current love of his life, Mr. Julius Smith.

“I’ve got an apartment now, not far from Elda’s old man.

She pops in every week or so with Arlo.”

“Does she see much of her mother?” Sylvie pondered every now and again on the pain that Elda suffered .

“Now and again. They keep it civil, but there’s a bit too much scar tissue in that relationship for it all to be plain sailing.” He held the door of the cab open for her.

She breathed in the scent of taxi fumes and street food. Every shop front was illuminated, and lamps glowed with optimism, even in January’s darkest days.

They pulled up to the grand venue, and Julius offered his arm while Jack skipped ahead like a kid wanting to beat the queues.

“She’s here,” Jack said at the entrance doors.

This was bigger than any exhibition Elda had staged before. The venue dwarfed the last event Sylvie had made it to, and its bespoke signs and finishing touches would’ve blown a modest budget.

Anticipation and pride tingled in Sylvie’s belly. “This is fabulous.” Her cheeks ached with a wide smile. “You look stunning.”

Elda gave her a little twirl, revealing the glamor of her golden dress. “Thank you.” She planted a kiss on Sylvie’s cheek. “I’m so pleased you could come.”

“What about me?” Jack wriggled between them. “I came all the way from East London.”

“Forever grateful to you too.” Elda kissed him on the cheek and rubbed his hair like a big sister. “You’re my angel.”

Jack blushed. For all his bluster, he was a softie at heart. Before Elda could finish her greetings, she was whisked away by someone looking efficient and fashionable.

“Her publicist,” Jack said. “She has an actual publicist now. I remember when she was hiding in the store room drinking vodka with me.”

“You’ve both flourished.” Sylvie brushed dust from his collar. “I like Julius. You’re right; he’s civilized and beautiful.”

“And how about you, my little chérie? Elda tells me you had a special friend for Christmas.” His cheeky smile burst into a lewd expression.

“Put your tongue away.” Sylvie chastised. “If you’re referring to Ade, then yes, she came for Christmas.”

“I bet she did.”

Even Julius laughed out loud. Sylvie was surrounded by school boys.

“Where is she then?” Jack asked. “Why isn’t she dripping from your arm?”

Sylvie wished for that, already missing Ade’s body next to hers. “She’s working this week and then has birthday plans with her family. It was arranged months ago, and we couldn’t make the dates work.”

“Oh, that’s sad. Elda said it’s hotting up between you two.” Jack extended his hands in a theatrical stance. “I mean in a Sylvie way. With plenty of yearning, overthinking, doubling back to make sure?—”

“Did Elda tell you all that?” Sylvie twisted her hair between her fingers.

“She didn’t need to. That’s how you move through the world, Sylvie. All furrowed brow and disapproving of everyone, especially yourself.”

“Jack!” Julius slapped him gently on the arm.

“There’s no need to intervene,” Sylvie said, patting Julius. “Our little friend here spends most of his life enjoying other people’s drama. Whether it bears any resemblance to the truth is neither here nor there.”

Julius still looked horrified. “Are you two always like this?”

“Oh, we’re worse than this, darling. Wait until we’ve had a few more glasses of Sylvie’s favorite wine.” Jack draped his arm around her shoulders and took Julius by the waist. “For now, let’s go and see what Elda has painted for us, the talented little witch.”

The evening was a roaring success. The glitterati of the art world had turned out for Elda’s latest show. Critics had nodded and idled for the appropriate amount of time. Red dots had even appeared on a couple of pieces, which delighted Elda.

Charlie had graced the audience with her presence just before it started, blaming Arlo for needing another story before he’d settle with Grandad. Now, in the after-hours hotel bar, the gang debriefed on the evening and reminisced on old times.

“Elda was undoubtedly a lovesick puppy when she turned up at my doorstep.” Sylvie wiped away her tears of laughter.

“Charlie was no better. She was wasting away with all the pining,” Jack said, fanning his face.

Elda put her hands on her hips. “Okay, you two. I think I prefer it when you’re sparring with each other rather than ganging up on me.”

“We probably wouldn’t have made it, if it weren’t for you two.” Charlie raised her glass. “Jack practically pushed me into the Channel Tunnel, and Sylvie gave me a good talking to.”

“Liar. You trot out that tired old line every time we’re all together.” Jack tipped his chin. “We all know you were desperate for Elda, and you would’ve followed her to the ends of the earth.”

Charlie kissed Elda. “Fine. You two had nothing to do with it.”

Julius rose. “Who wants another drink?”

They all nodded and raised their empty glasses.

“Isn’t he a keeper?” Jack said, his gaze following Julius to the bar.

“He is. Don’t fuck it up.” Elda shot him a warning look, then followed it with a comedy smile.

“Hey, I’m a changed man. The only one of us who’s still single is Sylvie.” Jack pretended to play a tiny violin. “When are you going to make it official with your California girl?”

Official was a funny word. Were they official, for now? She squirmed beneath the scrutiny of three pairs of eyes. “We’re just having fun.”

Jack’s eyes sparkled. “Fun for now, or fun forever?”

Elda laid her hand across Sylvie’s. “Leave her be, Jack. It’s not that simple for everyone, is it?”

The sympathy only served to remind her how sad it would be when Ade was no longer around. Her jaw tightened. “I wish it was forever, but I can’t make her stay.”

“Can’t you go?” Jack asked.

The question so simple, but the answer was so very complicated.

“We can’t all upend our lives for love.” Charlie twisted a coaster in her fingers.

“You would’ve done for Elda, though, wouldn’t you?” Sylvie asked.

Charlie glanced at Elda with a tenderness. “Yeah. But giving up your life’s purpose for love isn’t the only option. If you two are meant to be, then you’ll find a way.” She took Elda’s hand. “We made it work, didn’t we?”

“We absolutely did. But I get where Sylvie’s coming from. California is so much further away. We didn’t have the Atlantic between us.” Elda twisted in her seat. “Are you really serious about her?”

Sylvie resisted the shrug that would casually brush off the question. If she couldn’t be honest with her closest group of friends, who was she kidding? “I’ve never really trodden this path before. The only blueprint I have for this kind of whirlwind is you two.”

“Praise indeed.” Jack whistled into the remains of his cocktail. “I’m with you though, Sylvie. These two have created a pretty high bar when it comes to finding love.”

“But that’s it.” Sylvie cleared her throat. “I think I’ve reached that bar. Ade is everything. I’m just not sure where that leaves us in a few months’ time.”

Julius returned with a tray of drinks. “Who died?”

“Sylvie’s love life.”

“Not yet.” Sylvie punched Jack’s arm. “Plenty of juice in the tank for now.”

“That’s what she said.” Jack guffawed, leaning on Elda for support.

“Don’t change, Jack. Never change,” said Sylvie.

Elda rolled her eyes. “No chance of that. He’s been like this since we were at school. At least Eli and Arlo are out of earshot tonight.”

“What a slur on my name. Those boys adore me.” Jack protested with a wave of his hands.

“Of course they do. No one else will indulge their passion for breaking the rules,” Charlie said, swallowing a yawn and evidence of her parental candle-burning at both ends. “I think we’d better head back soon.”

The bar was beginning to close around them.

Sylvie wished she’d asked Ade to join her.

A night in London together would have been perfect.

She said her goodbyes to old friends and took herself to bed with her fantasy that next time she booked a hotel for the night, Ade would be sharing her bed.

Whether or not she could share her life—or her future—was another question.

A bigger, thornier, harder question. And one she didn’t have an answer for. Not yet.