Match Point

Chapter 46: Pattern

Love hearts heavy in her hands

Oh no not again!

New regrets

Rough start but we all know that dance

Do those old boots remember the steps?

- "Pattern," by Last Shadow Puppets

_____________________________________________

Lettie

The shop was quiet. I had been busier than I thought I would be for a fake business, which was nice to have as a distraction since I had imploded my relationship.

I had finished the tailoring on two suits and had no other sewing projects on the books. I had already organized and reorganized everything in the shop twice today. Now, I was unbusy and anxious as I sat at the counter.

I went online but quickly exited the browser, so I wasn't tempted to be ridiculous and search Arctic Monkeys. I grabbed the book I had been bringing to work all week-I hadn't gotten past the first page-out of my purse and tried to focus on it so my mind didn't wander. I didn't beat myself up even more over everything.

The buzzing of my phone shattered the silence. I glanced down at the screen. Although the number was unfamiliar, I knew who it was. I didn't have to see his name or hear his voice; I just knew.

Taking a steadying breath, I answered, my voice as calm as I could muster. "Laeticia Campbell, Lettie speaking."

"Lettie, hi," came the casual voice on the other end of the line-the voice I would recognize anywhere. "I got a call from you last week. I'm so glad to hear you reopened - I came to your old location a while back-and had a suit altered. Dark green plaid. James."

My heart pounded in my chest. I knew I wasn't prepared, even though I had imagined this call a million times and played it all out in my head. But actually hearing him- made me a flustered mess. I wanted to scream at him and hang up, but I held on. This was the whole point, wasn't it? To get him to come out of the woods and be arrested. I couldn't let myself be the one who crumbled. Not now.

"Oh yes, James! That was a beautiful suit," I said as casually as I could, as if he were just any other client.

"Yeah, it was really nice, and you made it look impeccable on me," he said, and I could practically hear the grin in his voice.

I forced a laugh, keeping it light. "Well, I try."

I closed my eyes for a brief second, forcing myself to focus, to stay in control.

"Actually, I have another wedding coming up. Your message came at just the right time-I need another suit altered."

This was real. It was happening. My palms were so sweaty.

"When is the wedding?" I asked, my voice steady despite everything inside me wanting to crack. "And when does it need to be ready?"

"The wedding's in three weeks," he said.

"Three weeks, okay," I repeated, mentally reviewing my schedule. My earliest appointment is on Thursday. I have time after two in the afternoon. Or we could look to next week."

"Does 2:30 on Thursday work for you?"

2:30. Two days. He'll be here. But I couldn't let any of that show. I forced a smile into my voice. "Perfect. I'll pencil you in."