Jeez, I hope she’s not looking to stay for long. Matteo pulls the covers over himself. He is finding Cherry barging into our room very intrusive, by the expression on his face.
‘I’m not sure we have room for them.’
My soul deflates. Matteo is watching me from the bed. The bouquet is so huge it takes both arms to carry it.
‘Luke’s certainly committing to this midnight proposal,’ says Cherry. ‘I’ll give him that. There are another three bunches like this outside the door.’
Christ Almighty.
I plonk them down on the table near the window. They are exquisite. He must have paid a fortune. ‘There’s no note.’ I let out a huge sigh. ‘First the video, now enough flowers to open my own florist shop. I’m going to have to tell him to back off. We’re work colleagues and nothing more. At this rate, we won’t be able to sing together because he’s making it too awkward. The Sinfonia will probably askmeto leave.’
Cherry walks over to the window and stands staring out across the city. ‘That would be constructive dismissal. You’d never work again. You don’t want to do that. Nice room.’ She sweeps her gaze around. ‘Spacious. Much better than mine. Much better.’ A sorrowful expression sweeps over her pretty face. ‘It reminds me of my honeymoon.’
Oh, God.Please don’t kick off about our upgrade. I cross my fingers behind my back. I can see Matteo tense. He’s trapped in the bed because he’s naked underneath those sheets. He’s pulled them up to his chin, clearly uncomfortable. I need to get Cherry out of here.
‘Did you know that there are no clocks anywhere in this place? How is anyone supposed to know when to stop gambling?’ she says, fussing with the flowers, her voice jittery.
By checking the time on our phones?
‘I haven’t been to bed yet,’ she says, as though it’s entirely the hotel’s fault. ‘Not sure it’s worth the bother now.’
‘But you’ll be okay for the soundcheck later, though?’
Cherry looks at me blankly.
‘For our performance today? You’ve got the costumes and the running list? You’re still in charge of choreography?’
It’s as though this is all news to her.
‘I’m pregnant,’ she says, busy flower arranging. ‘How am I supposed to remember any of this stuff?’
Oh, my word.
‘I have an idea,’ she says suddenly, her mind jumping about. ‘I think it’ll put both Luke and Birdie off chasing you.’
‘What is it?’
‘You could play them at their own game. A sort ofmatrimonium putativum.’
I stare at her. I’d quite forgotten she’s an experienced paralegal with a near-photographic memory.
‘You could pretend to get married,’ she clarifies. ‘Send a clear message that neither of you is available. What do you think?’ she says, and her eyes widen as she looks from Matteo to me.
I’d love to marry him, is what I think. But I must play it cool. I’ll see how Matteo reacts to this bonkers plan first before I show a shred of interest.
Matteo regards Cherry for a few seconds. ‘Seems a bit insane.’
‘That’s love for you. Sometimes it makes you do crazy things. But that’s also why it’ll work.’ We watch her pluck a rose from the bouquet on her way out. ‘See you later. There’s something I need to do.’
When the door closes, Matteo lets out a puff of air. ‘What do you think?’
‘As in, do I think we should get fake married?’ I say, walking back towards the bed. I suppress the urge to leap in the air with glee. ‘How could we even possibly make that happen? I mean, when would we even…? Where would we…? How would we…?’ I pretend to chuckle as though this is the most ridiculous suggestion anyone’s ever made in the whole history of suggestions.Gah!I’d bloody love to bloody marry him. He’s bloody gorgeous. My pulse is racing.
He arches an eyebrow. ‘If only we were in a city that has a wedding chapel on every street corner,’ he says dryly. ‘A city renowned the world over for marrying couples on a whim, just because they’ve had too many margaritas.’ He pretends to scratch his chin in thought. ‘Such a shame.’
‘Okay, smart-ass,’ I say.I am literally turning into an American.‘What do you really think about it?’
I’m impressed he hasn’t run a mile at the mere thought. I try not to ogle him as he slips from the bed. He stands naked and completely comfortable in front of me. It sends sharp pangs of longing straight to below my waist. ‘I’ll show you exactly what I think.’
