Rose sighed, dragging her attention away from her clothes. It was pointless attempting to fix something that so clearly couldn’t be fixed. She knew that from bitter experience with her parents. But she still ran her finger over the material once more.
‘I just think…’ She paused, choosing her next words carefully. If she could get Ben on side, it might be easier all round.
‘It’s all a bit rushed, don’t you think?’ she asked. ‘I’m not saying they shouldn’t marry.’At least not out loud. ‘But I am saying they’ve only known each other for a few weeks.’ A month if she was being generous, but Rose decided not to round it up. ‘It wouldn’t hurt to give it a little more time. I’d hate for them to make a mistake. They need to make sure they’re really compatible. They haven’t had a chance to find that out.’
They’d clearly hopped through multiple stages of the relationship ladder. They had to go back and start again, following Rose’s strict ‘Love Rules’ which she used with all her clients. Luna also needed time to ensure Marco wasn’t after her trust fund like a couple of her previous boyfriends – and they had to see each other through the lens of day-to-day life.
Ben’s eyes filled with sympathy, and, for a moment, Rose lost her breath. ‘It’s difficult to stand back and watch friends find happiness when we haven’t found it ourselves,’ he said kindly, his eyes dipping to her bare ring finger as the plane bounced a couple more times. ‘I understand that. I’ve been burned myself, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real for them.’
Rose jerked back and her shoulder collided with her neighbour’s again. She held her breath when the man inhaled sharply, but he didn’t wake up. ‘I’m not jealous,’ she grumbled, insulted. ‘I’m happy being single. I’ll meet the right person one day, but I’m going to wait until I know they’re perfect.’
She wasn’t going to let her guard down too soon either – and she certainly wouldn’t be vaulting over all the careful stages of her relationship’s development. When she finally let someone into her heart, it would be forever. There would be no chance of getting hurt, and no rushed weddings leading to a lifetime of chaos. She’d had a front-row seat to that already.
‘Right.’ Ben leaned back in his seat, holding onto Coco’s carrier with one hand and gripping the now-empty coffee cup, looking thoughtful. ‘So, what’s your plan? Are you going to don a Bat Woman cape and storm the church shouting it’s all a terrible mistake?’ His smile told Rose he was teasing, but there was a look in his eyes that suggested if she tried, he’d be there to stop her.
She chuckled. ‘That’s plan B. I’m guessing it won’t make it that far,’ Rose admitted.
Ben’s forehead creased and he pushed his cup into the pouch under his tray table. Then he poked a hand into the carrier so he could tickle Coco under her chin.
‘I’m not sure you should do that,’ she warned. The dog practically purred, and Rose sighed. If she tried to do the same, she’d probably lose a limb.
Despite being in the dog’s life since the shih tzu was a puppy, there was no love lost between her and Coco. She had no clue as to where the creature’s antagonism stemmed but it hurt. If only she had some Love Doctor rules to use on dogs.
‘So, what’s your alternative to the happy ever after?’ Ben asked.
Rose shrugged. ‘I’m just going to talk to Luna – ask her to wait. I’ve already reserved a venue for Christmas, close to where she lives in Brighton. It’s a special place for her and her mum and they’re very close.’
Ben’s eyes widened. ‘You don’t hang about. I think the Marinos would be upset if the wedding wasn’t held in Italy. Besides, the date is important to them.’ He removed his hand from the dog carrier and shifted a little closer to her, his expression serious. ‘I think it’s only fair if I tell you that I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure this wedding goes ahead as scheduled. It’s what Marco wants, so it’s what I want too.’ He drummed his fingers on the dog carrier.
‘Well, I appreciate that, but I’m still going to try to get her to delay. It’s for their own good,’ Rose insisted.
Ben regarded her for a moment longer, humour now colouring his expression which had morphed from serious to amused at a speed that had Rose’s head spinning. How was she supposed to read this man if his emotions changed so often?
‘You know, usually my adversaries are ugly,’ he muttered as his dimple reappeared.
‘I don’t see how that’s relevant,’ Rose spluttered. She was used to dealing with all kinds of people in her work, steering all types of odd conversations in the right direction. She had no idea how he had the power to turn her brain to mush.
‘Hairy too.’ Ben grinned.
Rose sucked in a breath. ‘I’ll try harder to look the part,’ she muttered.
He eased forward, and his fresh masculine scent made her head spin. ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’
What was he doing? ‘Are you flirting because you think it’ll make me change my mind?’ Her voice rose an octave as her stomach turned over like a washing machine heading into full spin.
Ben considered her question. ‘Will it work?’
‘No!’ she said, sitting up straighter. It was time to put a stop to this. She was losing control of the situation, falling under his spell and thatneverhappened. ‘We’re the best man and maid of honour, both travelling together to do the right thing for our friends,’ she said firmly.
‘Which means Luna and Marco will soon be married,’ Ben teased.
‘Which means Luna and Marco will be postponing their wedding,’ she shot back.
Ben grinned and held out a hand. ‘So may the best man win?’ he asked.
‘I think you’ll find it’ll be the best woman,’ Rose countered, taking his hand and shaking it once.
Ben chuckled, his dimple winking at her charmingly, and Rose had to steel her insides as they started to fizz. He squeezed her fingers momentarily and she tugged them away from his grasp, shocked by the pure wave of lust that swept through her. ‘I’m suddenly looking forward to the next few days even more,’ he said as the glittering eyes came out to play again.
