‘Probably for the best,’ Tilly says, her breathing rapid. ‘I’m a mess.’
Her hair is wild on her shoulders, the flowers in her crown drooping. A pink flush spreads over her cheeks and forehead.
‘You’re beautiful,’ Alfie says, without thinking.
Her eyes widen and he drops his hands from her waist.
‘Shit, sorry … I didn’t mean to say that. I’ve been trying so hard all day not to say that.’
From inside comes another roar and the opening chords of ‘Mr Brightside’.
‘It’s OK,’ she says softly, her hands still on his shoulders.
‘It isn’t, though! You’ve made it very clear you just want to be friends and I completely get that. I’m more than OK with that. Being your friend is anhonour. But then I have to go andmake it weird by saying how incredible you look in that dress. Shit, I’ve done it again!’
He steps away from her, putting distance between them. Because if he keeps standing so close to her he might say more stupid things.
‘Alfie, it’s OK …’
It seems that the distance hasn’t helped, because she is still there, still in that red dress, still the person who has got him to laugh more in the past few months than he has in years. He opens his mouth and the words come tumbling out.
‘I think you’re amazing, Tilly Nightingale. You’re brave and sokind, the way you’ve listened to all of my baggage, and everything you’ve done recently to help the bookshop, and the way you’ve been here today for your sister even though it was hard. But I shouldn’t have overstepped. I want you to feel safe with me.’
Because that’s how I feel with you, he thinks.
Tilly looks at him, her face unreadable. A cool breeze catches at the strands of her hair. When she answers, her voice is soft.
‘I do feel safe with you. You’ve always made me feel that way. I feel it whenever I step into the bookshop. Whenever we’re together.’
‘Oh.’
His chest constricts as her pale eyes remain fixed on his. A gust of wind blows across the balcony and she shivers. He reaches for the blanket that slipped off when they were dancing, wrapping it around her shoulders.
‘Shall we go back inside? I don’t want you to get cold.’
As he goes to step away, she reaches a hand to his waist, pulling him gently towards her.
‘Wait. Stay here a second. Will you just … hold me for a moment?’
His body stiffens, his skin tingling. He considers for a moment and then wraps his arms around her, pulling her tohis chest. She lets out a little sigh and it takes all his strength not to groan into her hair, feeling the whole of her soft body pressed against him.
‘Thank you,’ she mumbles into his chest and he tightens his grip, holding her steady.
They stay like that for a while, just holding each other as the party continues inside, the lights of the city spread out around them. She pulls away just enough to tilt her face up to look at him.
‘Alfie?’
‘Mmm?’
He wonders if she can feel how hard his heart is beating beneath the suit he bought specially for today.
‘I’d really like you to kiss me.’
He lifts an eyebrow questioningly, his eyes flashing.
‘Are you sure?’ he manages to choke out.
‘Kiss me, Alfie.’
