“I should get back. The food looks amazing. We did well.” She smiled, shifting a curl behind her ear. I’d watched her sitting in front of the mirror, making her usually straight hair wavy and then applying her make-up. I’d tried not to stare, but she’d caught me, accusing me of being a stalker.
When I’d told that she was the most beautiful woman I’d seen she laughed in disbelief.
“You look amazing.”
She shook her head, the usual tinge of pink growing deeper.
“Someone will hear.”
“Do you care?”
My chest felt leaden, as if she held the power to fracture my heart.
She did. I’d given it her.
“No. I don’t. Are you coming out when you’re done?”
I nodded. “If you want me to. But this is your show. Don’t think you have to trot me round like a show pony.”
“Your hair’s too short for a show pony. Most of the dishes are yours: you should be there for the compliments.”
“And what about you.” Because I was needy and had to know. “What will I be to you out there?” I kept my tone soft; I didn’t want her to feel pressured. I knew she’d fought to keep her private life that: private.
“Given that after three cocktails I described to Van and Sophie exactly what you did to me in the shower last Sunday morning, I don’t think pretending you’re just my head chef will work.” The blush had deepened.
My grin was smug. I remembered exactly what I’d done to her in the shower and I had plans to repeat it, maybe in the morning. “Did it get as many stars as my food?”
She glared, her name being called. “Maybe I’ll need to try both again to make a fair judgement.”
* * *
It was never goingto be a difficult audience to please. By the end of the evening the plates had been pretty much licked clean and even Max, who had walked out straight after walking in, was smiling.
“I think tapas is my new favourite.” Seph Callaghan was sprawled around a woman whose name I didn’t know. “If there’s any left, can I take some back for breakfast.”
“Where are you staying tonight?” Max had his arms folded across his chest and looked anything but hospitable. “Because Vic’s got some making up to do after pulling this stunt and I’d rather your tender ears weren’t listening to what she’ll be saying.”
“Is that because you’re actually going to try a position other than missionary?” The woman with the neat brown bob had been introduced to me as Claire, Max’s sister. She ruled by fear.
“Fuck off, Claire.” Max didn’t add any more, he just looked at Killian who looked amused.
“There’s an extra present for you in that bag.” She gestured to where the gifts had been piled up.
“If it’s the Kama Sutra you did that three years ago.”
“It’s far more detailed than that. Thought you might need some additional instructions for your wedding night.” She smiled innocently. “Don’t want Victoria to realise that you can’t provide in that department.”
Max opened his mouth as if to say something and instead shook his head, his eyes landing on Victoria who was clearly laughing at him. Not that he was bothered.
“I’m thinking it’s time to head off home. Maybe learn a new move or two.”
I recognised the look on Max’s face because it was one I knew I had on mine when I saw Simone. I was also aware that Max was looking at the woman he was going to be marrying in a few months.
Time to admit to a few things. Even if it was just to myself.
* * *
“Maybe you should leavesome stuff here.”
