I'm Not in Love (Once Upon a Winter Book 2) by Tilly Tennant Read Free Book Online Page A

absolute wankers, though?’ Gina said as she dusted some blusher over her cheeks. ‘This one guy sent me a photo of his boat in the Med instead of a photo of himself. I mean, what’s that about?
I don’t have a personality but will my boat do instead?
It’s doubtful he even has a boat, so either way he’s a loser.’
    ‘To be honest, in most cases I’d rather date the boat,’ Hannah laughed. ‘You can have a lot of fun in one of them.’
    ‘And they don’t shag their secretaries the minute your back is turned.’
    ‘Too true,’ Hannah agreed.
    ‘So… have you had any decent offers?’
    Hannah shrugged. ‘One half-decent one, but in the end I couldn’t be bothered. Half-decent isn’t really decent enough, is it? I’ll keep my membership for a while and see what else comes in but I’m not holding my breath.’
    ‘I’ve had one or two interesting ones. I don’t know about all these computer matches these sites run. Perhaps they’d work if the men they were trying to match me with weren’t mostly lying bastards to begin with. They say they like kittens and shopping but turn up to the date with matching his‘n’hers gimp suits and a penchant for shagging in custard.’
    ‘Blimey, they’re a bit more extreme in Brum, aren’t they?’ Hannah giggled.
    ‘And that’s just Howard.’ Gina applied a last slick of mascara and dropped the tube into her make-up bag. ‘The mirror’s all yours – make yourself gorgeous.’
    ‘How long have we got?’ Hannah asked. ‘I might have had enough time if I’d started last week.’
    ‘Silly,’ Gina smiled. ‘You know I was always envious of you when we were teenagers?’
    Hannah stared. ‘Seriously? What on earth for? You were always the beautiful one and I was envious of you!’
    ‘I was the tall, willowy one with what turned out to be pretty decent breasts but you were the one with the rosy little cheeks that everyone wanted to squish. You had the sparkle in your eyes and the huggable little bod. People wanted to love you, where they wanted to admire me. I only wanted to be loved.’
    ‘I love you, more than any sister loved another,’ Hannah said. ‘And don’t expect me to repeat that ever again because it’s the gin talking.’
    Gina pulled her into a hug. ‘Come here, sis. Now, let’s get ready for this… whatever it is you’ve dragged me here for. And there had better be some fit guys to compensate for my horrible train journey next to fried chicken armpit man.’
    ‘You know Ross is picking us up. There’s one straight away.’
    ‘Ah… Ross….’ Gina said in a deliberately dreamy voice. ‘Such a pity he’s not interested in an old lady. If the ball was for Help the Aged I might be able to persuade him to do me for charity.’
    ‘I probably shouldn’t say this… but I think he might be a bit interested.’
    ‘In me? What makes you say that?’
    ‘I don’t know. Just the way he looks when your name is mentioned.’
    ‘You say his mum is organising this event?’
    ‘She’s one of the organisers – yes.’
    ‘Well, I don’t suppose she’d approve of Mrs Robinson homing in on her son, then.’
    ‘Perhaps not,’ Hannah laughed. ‘But at least he’ll be pleasant company in the very likely event that the remaining male guests are rubbish.’
    ‘There is that,’ Gina agreed. ‘In that case I’d better go for the classy black number to get mummy’s approval, just in case Ross and I do get to… well, you know…’
    *
    The little black dress Gina had opted for was a fitted shift dress with lace sleeves and a deep V cut out lace panel that trailed the length of her back. It was simple and elegant and Hannah couldn’t help but feel that she looked stunning enough to outshine every other woman at the party. Hannah herself had gone for an old favourite in the end – an emerald green tea dress which everyone had always said flattered her slightly curvier figure and brought out the auburn highlights in her hair. It wasn’t