The Heir and the Spare (Untitled #1) - Emily Albright Page 0,2
true.”
“There you are.” A tall girl with beautiful mocha skin and a chic dark bob came up behind Suzy and leaned on the table. “I’ve been looking for you all over.”
“Caroline, what are you doing here? I thought you had a date,” Suzy said.
“I did, but he was an absolute arse, so I cut it short.”
“Bummer.” Suzy looked up and waggled a finger between this new girl and me. “Evie, this is Caroline; she’s your neighbor.”
I smiled and held out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
She gave me a firm handshake and said, “Lovely to meet you. I’m going to grab some food quick-like and then we can all chat.”
Once Caroline was out of earshot, Suzy filled me in. “She finds the majority of the men she dates to be arseholes.”
“Why doesn’t she date a guy that’s not her usual type then?”
“Oh, she has. She’s dated nearly every type.” Suzy smiled when Caroline returned carrying an enormous salad.
Caroline sat next to me, and entertained us with the story of her date from hell. Girls really are pretty much the same everywhere you go.
I wonder if the boys are, too?
Chapter Two
Circle of Friends
Snuggled under the covers, I tapped the flashlight app icon on my phone, illuminating the darkness. The page slid smoothly from the envelope and my vision blurred at Mom’s curly script. Her hands were the last hands to touch this paper. I loved that mine were the next.
My Darling Evie,
An Oxford girl! I knew you could do it. I couldn’t be more proud. Now that your first assignment is complete, this next one is easy—sightseeing. I want you to go into London, visit Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament at Westminster Palace. Have fun, take in the ambience, and enjoy your English side.
Before you leave London, I have someone I’d like you to meet: Anton LeClerc. He’s expecting your call and should prove quite useful on this journey.
Always remember, anything’s possible.
Love you,
Mom
xoxo
Anton’s number was scribbled across the bottom. Who is he and what does he have to do with Mom? I folded the letter and tucked it away.
How on earth would sightseeing help me discover her and myself? I lay back on my pillow and held the envelope over my head. Staring at the large number two scrawled on the back.
Checking out London? Fine by me; in fact, I was excited to go back and see something other than the airport.
Kissing the envelope, I slipped it under my pillow, not quite ready to part with it. Curled on my side and completely wiped out, I don’t remember trying to fall asleep.
With less than a week until school started, I’d spent the day exploring campus. I’d mapped out all my classes and practiced my route. I’m a dork like that.
“Evie, you in there?” Suzy asked as she knocked on my door.
Walking over, I swung it open. “Hey, what’s up?”
“There’s a party in the commons and everyone’s there. You have to come meet the rest of the gang.”
“Sure.” I slipped on my black ballet flats and grabbed the pale blue cardigan off my desk chair. A quick glimpse in the mirror confirmed I wasn’t a total mess. I slid my keycard into my jeans pocket and followed, glad she’d come by. My plan had been to hole up in my room all night, eating pizza and watching Doctor Who reruns. Which honestly is a pretty good way to spend an evening.
Downstairs, the commons room was packed with people. I kept my eye on the magenta flower of Suzy’s headband as it wove through the crowd. Straight ahead people waved at us; Caroline, my new neighbor, was with them. Suzy returned the gesture. They must be her gang. I smiled at the idea of Miss-Country-Estate-Suzy having a gang.
Suzy bumped her way through the crowd as a blond-haired boy, sitting with the group on the far end of the couch, snagged my attention. Long denim-clad legs stretched out in front of him. His broad shoulders perfectly filled his gray sweater.
Holy hotness. Boys shouldn’t be allowed to be so good-looking.
I dragged my gaze up, and the blond cutie smiled at me. Shit. He totally just caught me checking him out. My face warmed as I nervously returned his grin.
“Everyone, this is Evie, the new girl we told you about,” Caroline said. Next to her sat an athletic girl sporting a pixie cut. “Evie, this is Marissa.” She indicated the impish girl. “That’s Preston, and of course, Edmund.”