You’re no help!
Black oversized jacket, white top, skinny jeans, nice belt, always does the trick
came the instant reply.
Five minutes later, Libby had settled on that very outfit and checked her reflection in the mirror one last time before heading into the hallway. With her curls bouncing above her shoulders, she grabbed her bag, slipped her feet into her heeled boots and declared herself ready. With a racing heartbeat and a look of excitement on her face, she tried to imagine the day ahead. She pressed her lips tightly together to suppress a smile as Guy’s front door opened at the same time as hers and he emerged with his duffle coat on and his camera equipment slung over his shoulder. He smiled at Libby.
‘Look at us, work buddies. Are you ready?’ she asked, locking the door behind her.
‘I am,’ he replied.
‘Can I borrow your arm?’ she asked, linking hers through his. ‘I’m not trusting these boots on this ice. The last thing I need is to be slipping over.’
‘Very true, we can’t have you falling at my feet just yet.’ His eyes sparkled, leaving Libby wondering what he meant by ‘just yet’.
They began to walk side by side down the path and through a stone archway, which led to a tiny courtyard at the rear of the hotel. Above their heads was a purpose-built lattice with twisted vines of holly and berries, the whole thing laced with snow.
‘How beautiful does that look?’ said Libby admiringly, looking upwards. Just then she stumbled on the edge of the stone step and Guy clutched her arm tightly to steady her.
‘Nearly,’ he said teasingly, and caught her eye, causing her stomach to give a little flip. ‘I bet this place is equally beautiful in the summer,’ he said when she was steady on her feet once more.
‘It is. I fell in love with it the first time I visited Starcross Manor. The history and the grounds are intriguing. It must have taken many years to nurture and cultivate it into such a gorgeous place of beauty.’
‘It is indeed a gorgeous place of beauty,’ he said, still looking at her. ‘It’s just something else, isn’t it?’
Libby realised he was flirting with her a little. They carried on walking, still arm in arm. ‘The studio is just up here.’
‘And there’s another step just ahead,’ joked Guy.
‘And you’re telling me that because you don’t want me falling at your feet?’
‘That’s your assumption,’ he replied playfully.
Libby bit her lip to hide a smile and took the opportunity to steal a sideward glance at him. He was looking at her with a twinkle in his eye that made her heart race faster … if that was even possible.
‘We’re here now.’ Libby pointed to the studio at the end of the snowy path. ‘Just look at those Christmas trees. Don’t you just love all the twinkly lights?’
Guy pulled away slowly from her linked arm. ‘It seems I have no choice but to love twinkly lights, considering they’re everywhere.’
'That’s because it’s that time of year.’
‘It’s November.’
‘And only four weeks until Christmas!’
Libby unlocked the door and they stepped inside, where they were welcomed by the warmth of the heating.
‘What do you think of this place?’ she asked, shutting the door behind them and taking off her coat.
Guy looked around the room. ‘Very wedding-y! If that’s even a word.’ He put down the camera bags and hung up his coat.
‘That’s good then because that’s what I’m here to do: organise a wedding! I’m not sure what it is you don’t like about weddings, but by the time I’ve organised the most perfect wedding and we watch the happy couple walk down the aisle, I hope to have changed your mind.’
‘Mmm, I’m not sure that will ever happen,’ he murmured. ‘But let’s see if lovely Libby can work her magic,’ he added, looking up from under his floppy fringe.
‘Lovely Libby?’ she questioned, feeling a tingling pulse that she couldn’t control race through her body. She was fully aware of how captivating Guy was and that the smile on her face was widening.
‘Lovely Libby,’ he repeated.
