Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell Read Free Book Online Page A

many special occasions some of us have left?
    ‘That’s OK, I forgive you. Don’t do it again, though.’ As Luke attempted to squeeze past her, Bea’s arm shot out, barring his exit. ‘Hey-hey-hey, not so fast, Dr Hilton. I think there’s something important you’re forgetting, don’t you?’
    ‘What?’ Luke looked baffled.
    ‘This!’ Throwing both arms around his neck, Bea planted a kiss on his unsuspecting mouth, and this time Hallie’s stomach did a much bigger and frankly jealous triple somersault.
    ‘
Mwah
.’ Beaming and swaying, Bea let him go. ‘Happy new year. Sorry, just had to do that! Couldn’t resist!’

Chapter 8
    ‘Look at this.’ Rory showed Tasha the text that had just come through on his phone:
Mate, where are you? You’re missing a bloody brilliant party. Get yourself down here NOW!!!
    ‘Who’s it from?’
    ‘My oldest friend, Joe. Now watch this.’
    Tasha watched as he began to compose his reply. It was five o’clock in the morning, and she was still struggling to believe the last seven hours had actually happened. What she’d expected to be an entirely uneventful New Year’s Eve had turned out to be the most eventful, most extraordinary, most utterly
magical
one ever. She felt as if she were in a dream.
    OK, this really had better not be a dream. That would be too cruel.
    Superstitiously, she pinched her left wrist, just to make sure.
Ow
, good.
    Rory finished writing the text and angled the phone so she could read it:
Joe, I’m not missing out on anything. I’m with an amazing, incredible girl. This is it, she’s the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Will you be my best man?
    Every centimetre of Tasha’s skin tingled as she read it. OK, the best man bit was a joke . . . maybe the third sentence was a joke too, but that didn’t matter. It was enough that he thought she was amazing and incredible.
    Aloud, she said, ‘You’re going to frighten the life out of him.’
    ‘True.’ Rory pressed send.
    ‘Poor Joe.’
    ‘And I meant it.’ He looked at her. ‘In case you were wondering.’
    ‘You did?’
Zinnnggg
. . .
    ‘Every word. I don’t even know how I know. I just know.’
    ‘Men don’t usually come out and say that kind of stuff.’
    ‘I
know
.’ His eyes crinkled at the corners. ‘I’ve never done anything like this before in my life. I can’t believe it isn’t freaking me out.’
    His phone beeped and together they read Joe’s text:
Shit, are you completely smashed? Do you need rescuing?
    Rory messaged back:
Haven’t had anything to drink. Definitely don’t need rescuing.
    Less than twenty seconds later, his mobile rang.
    ‘Here we go.’ Rory switched on speakerphone so she could hear it too. ‘Brace yourself.’
    Tasha clutched his hand. ‘I’m braced.’
    ‘Oh man, what is going
on
?’ Joe’s voice was raised over the noise of the party continuing in the background.
    ‘Like I told you,’ said Rory. ‘It’s happened. I found her.’
    ‘Found her where? And who the hell is she? Are you telling me this is someone you just met tonight? Have you had sex with her yet?’
    OK,
slightly
embarrassing.
    ‘No,’ said Rory. ‘I haven’t.’
    ‘Ha! So, are you even sure she’s female?’
    Rory mouthed,
Sorry
at Tasha, who nodded reassuringly and mouthed back,
I am female
.
    ‘I’m pretty sure she is. Joe, listen, it’s the one I told you about. From last week. I found her again.’
    There was a long silence. For several seconds, all they could hear in the background was music and laughter from the party. Then Joe said, ‘You mean Bin Girl?’
    Tasha looked at Rory. Bin Girl? Oh, the glamour . . .
    ‘Yes.’ Rory grimaced apologetically. ‘Her name’s Tasha.’
    ‘And you found her again. How?’
    ‘I staked out the airport until she came home. Didn’t have to wait long,’ said Rory. ‘Only fourteen hours.’
    ‘You hung out at the airport for fourteen
hours
? You’re mad.’
    ‘No I’m not. It’s the best