The Three-Month Rule

Chapter 3 - The Undercover Journalist

      Allegra has frequently found herself in coffee shops recently. She smiled across the table at her dark blonde 26-year-old sister who was shoving half of a muffin into her mouth whilst trying to speak at the same time.

      "So, you met Tom Hiddleston here...Yesterday?" she asked, muffin crumbs flying everywhere.

      "Yes," Allegra confirmed quietly, looking down at her mug of coffee.

      "And... Then you went on a date with him last night?"

      "It wasn't a date," Allegra retold her sister, looking up at her.

      "He took you dancing. It was definitely a date," Naomi corrected, swallowing the last of her cake.

      "It wasn't," Allegra said, quietly again.

      "And you say Lucy's annoyed?" Naomi asked, licking her fingers.

      "Yeah. I was meant to be meeting you and then she sees me with him. It looks like I lied."

      "Give her a call and explain," Naomi suggested before drinking a mouthful of black coffee.

      "She's not answering her phone."

      "Explain on Monday."

      "Oh, I will," Allegra laughed to herself.

      "So... Did anything else happen?" Naomi pressed, smirking and narrowing her eyes.

      "No," Allegra responded quickly.

      "Oh," Naomi moaned, pouting.

      "I did take his coat home, though," Allegra smiled, bringing her cup to her lips and looking brightly at her excitable older sibling.

      "Oh my God... Oh my God, so are you going to be seeing each other again?" Naomi squealed.

      "Tonight, actually," Allegra nodded gently.

      "Oh my God –"

      "No, you can't come."

      "You have his coat!" Naomi screamed.

      "Yes, that's what I just said," Allegra confirmed.

      "Does he smell good?" Naomi asked, bringing her hands to her chest and clutching dramatically where her heart was.

      "He smells like a man," she shrugged.

      "Yeah but bad or good?"

      "Good. You're so weird," Allegra noted as she finished her coffee.

      "This is so exciting. I can't believe it. My sister is dating Tom Hiddleston! Taylor Swift, kiss your ass!"

      "Stop," Allegra begged quietly.

      "Tell me everything tomorrow. Ooh! Can I come to yours and smell his coat?"

      "No."

      Naomi pouted again and drank more coffee, observing her sister the whole time. "You know he has got a reputation though, right?" she informed Allegra.

      "What reputation?"

      "You mean, you don't know?"

      "I'm not sure I want to now."

      "He just..." Naomi quickly put her cup down and interlaced her fingers, resting her chin on them as she thought of the best way to say her next sentence. "Apparently, he never lets women get too close, that's all."