He pulled her close, the spicy scent of his sandalwood aftershave mixing with the smoke of the barbecues to create an intoxicating blend. ‘I’ve been a bit self-indulgent,’ he said sheepishly.
She was glad to have him back – her friend. ‘I’d have said you were behaving like a dick – but self-indulgent works too.’
‘You’re right. But I’m going to try and get over it.’ He chuckled, and she could feel it vibrate through his chest and into hers as they swayed along the deck.
Cicadas, twinkling fairy lights and music combined in the mild heat of the evening to create the perfect romantic atmosphere. It was a shame they were just friends, because at this moment the only thing that would have made her any happier would have been if he’d kissed her – for real. Not to play to an audience or because he needed a distraction, but because he wanted a relationship with her… loved her.
She patted his bicep and tried not to shiver at the strength of muscle beneath her fingers. ‘That’s all anyone can ask of you.’ She tried to remind herself they were just friends. ‘Everything is going to be fine.’ She repeated the words he’d said to her earlier, longing to kiss him but knowing she couldn’t; she wasn’t an actor, and, no matter how much she pretended to be happy about this facade, she knew it would hurt her in the end.
‘Thank you,’ he sighed. He rested his chin on the top of her head, drawing her even closer. Their hips slowed with the beat, and she closed her eyes.
All was forgiven.
The music shifted to a party number and so did Alex, whisking her around until her head was spinning and she was giggling uncontrollably. His hips moved languidly and he had a natural rhythm, which she tried her best to match.
Eventually she had to beg for a break. Panting, they made their way back to the top table. Alex offered to get her a drinkand she accepted with a gasping nod. Man, he had a lot of energy –I bet he’s amazing in bed, she thought wistfully, as he bounded off to get them some fruit punch.
His mum glided down into the seat beside her with swan-like elegance. ‘I’m so glad he met you, Ellie. Frankly we were more than a little worried about how he was going to react this week. We wanted him here, of course, but we were worried he might…misbehave.He had a bit of a shaky start tonight, but you’ve managed to pull him around.’
Ellie bristled at the implication that Alex was to blame for all of it. He’d been cheated on – with his brother, of all people. ‘Oh, I don’t think that’s fair. Maybe he shouldn’t have said what he said, but he has a right to be upset.’
‘Has he?’ Jessica replied shrewdly, her eyes piercing Ellie’s soul, just like her son’s always did. ‘I would have thought he’d have gotten over it by now. He’s with you, after all.’ She raised a single blonde eyebrow. Obviously that wasn’t what she’d expected to hear from his current girlfriend.
Ellie squirmed with discomfort at the possibility that she’d outed herself, and their lies. After all, who was she kidding? Anyone with half a brain cell would realise Nurse Ellie couldn’t possibly be the love of Alex King’s life. ‘He still needs time to forgive them, especially Liam.’
It was his mother’s turn to bristle. ‘Liam never meant to hurt him.’
‘Of course not,’ Ellie agreed. Then couldn’t help adding more firmly, ‘But he did.’
Jessica King sighed miserably, leaning back into her seat and crossing her impossibly long, sleek legs. ‘I know.’
‘The sibling rivalry thing probably doesn’t help either. Alex must feel as if Liam’s the golden child who can do no wrong.’
Jessica’s spine stiffened and she shifted towards her, perfectly manicured hands crossing in her lap. ‘What do you mean?’
Fuck.
When would she learn to keep her big mouth shut? She looked around for Alex, praying he was on his way back to help drag her out of this hole. Unfortunately, he looked as if he’d been collared by an older lady in a glittering turquoise sari and equally glittering jewels.
‘Oh, you know how those two are…’ She gave a vague wave of her hand. But Jessica was not so easily fobbed off.
‘No. Enlighten me.’
Ellie braced herself. In for a penny, as the saying went. ‘I guess Alex feels as if he’s never good enough. I mean, Liam has done so well with his career, and he can’t help but compare himself.’
‘Alex has always wished to forge his own path. We’ve always encouraged that.’
Ellie remembered his face in the Lebanese restaurant just a couple of weeks ago. The disappointment, the bitterness. ‘None of you came to see his play.’
‘He wanted to be independent.’ Jessica all but choked on her indignation, but her hands uncrossed and she leaned forward with concern. ‘He made itveryclear that he wanted to do it all alone. Richie said he’d be offended if we’d stuck our noses in. The press would have gone mad and we would have distracted from his art.’
Ellie knew she was walking a very fine line between defending Alex and pissing off her host, but she couldn’t help raise an only-slightly-sarcastic eyebrow at Jessica’s comments. ‘And there was no other way to support your son’s new, independent venture?’
Jessica sank back in her chair, looking as if she’d just discovered her diamond necklace was fake.
Alex arrived back at the table, two glasses in hand. Before his mum could say anything that put Ellie any more in the shit, she grabbed his arm and steered him away. ‘Can we take a walk on the beach with these?’
‘Sure, no problem,’ he mumbled with a glance over his shoulder at his unusually subdued mother.
