Libby hadn’t felt desire like this in such a long time. She was willing him to kiss her but knew how much that would complicate things between them.
‘I suppose I better lose this dress,’ she said softly, not taking her eyes from his.
‘Those are words I wasn’t expecting to hear today,’ he said, giving her the most kissable smile she’d ever seen.
‘You know what I mean,’ she replied, rolling her eyes. ‘But if you would be kind enough to undo my buttons…?’ She turned slowly but kept her eyes on him. He stepped closer to her, making every nerve in her body tingle. Guy unhurriedly released the buttons.
‘Thank you,’ she said, and returned to the changing area, where she stepped into a cubicle and pulled the curtain across. Taking a moment, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her skin was glowing, she had a smile on her face that she’d not seen for a long time, and she felt happy—another feeling that had been buried deep inside.
When she pulled back the curtain, Guy was sitting on the edge of the table, looking at his phone. He turned it towards her. ‘Take a look.’
‘You’ve filmed us dancing!’
‘I’d left it running, and just look at you. You dance so effortlessly and with such beauty.’
‘This is exactly what Flynn is looking for in his promotional video. This is the image he’s trying to create. And I bet you’d look good in a kilt.’
Guy switched off the video and looked at her. ‘I didn’t mean to walk out of Flynn’s office. I just have a lot going on in my life at the moment and having to discuss weddings is a bitter pill to swallow.’
Libby perched on the table next to him. ‘I’m a good listener,’ she offered. ‘A problem shared and all that.’
Guy looked like he was going to say something and changed his mind. ‘It’s just something I have to deal with myself.’
‘I’m guessing it might have something to do with your ex-partner getting married? Have you been separated long?’ Libby’s tone was soft but she knew she’d hit on something because Guy suddenly looked uncomfortable.
‘Four years.’ Guy didn’t elaborate but Libby could see his whole demeanour had changed. She knew immediately that this wasn’t a conversation Guy wanted to have.
‘It doesn’t matter how amicable a break-up is, it still must be hard to see her marry someone else. Holly mentioned that she would love you to see her in her dress on the day. She was so excited when she tried it on and the first thing she thought of was you. Maybe it’s worth reconsidering to make Holly’s day?’
Libby hoped that Guy would soften his stance but from the look on his face she knew she’d said the wrong thing. He stood up and put his phone in his pocket.
‘You have no clue what is going on in my life, but to add emotional blackmail… Don’t even go there. Holly can go to the wedding with my parents. It’s her mother’s wedding and she should be there but there are other reasons I can’t go with her … and I don’t want to talk about them.’
‘And your unnamed reasons matter more than a little girl’s happiness?Yourlittle girl’s happiness?’
‘It’s me that’s the decent man here and once again I’m being judged by somebody who knows nothing about the situation.’
‘I’m not judging you. I just know from experience that sometimes family is all you have to get you through the hardest times.’ Libby was remembering the most difficult time of her life. ‘Believe me, I know.’
‘Once upon a time I’d have agreed with you. My family was my world and I lived and breathed them. Parents are meant to be your protectors, to support you no matter what. It’s a joke. If a friend had done what they’ve done to me, you would be encouraging me to leave that toxic relationship well and truly in the past. Just because they are blood doesn’t make them decent people. My mother is only here for Holly because she isn’t enrolled in school and someone needs to look after her while I work.’
‘Whatever it is, surely it can’t be that bad? Weddings are joyous occasions. A time for celebrating, bringing family together.’
‘Not this one.’
Libby took a deep breath. There was something very serious going on here but she couldn’t figure out what it might be.
She kept her voice calm; she didn’t like to see anyone hurting. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.’ She reached out to touch his arm, but Guy moved away and began walking towards the door. Just before he reached it he turned around. ‘You can’t have an opinion on something you know nothing about. We can talk about careers, aspirations, books, movies and even politics, but not family.’ His voice was flat. A tone that said he was not to be messed with.
They exchanged glances before the door shut behind him.
What the hell had just happened here? One minute they were dancing together like a couple that couldn’t get enough of each other, the attraction between them fizzing away, ready to explode, and the next they’d butted heads and Guy had stormed off.
Standing there, Libby felt numb. It hadn’t been her intention to upset him in any way. She knew he was hurting about something and she was simply curious to know what was really going on here. All she wanted to do was help.
ChapterNine
Libby had tossed and turned all night, though whether it was due to high winds rattling around the lodge or the fact that Guy was constantly on her mind, she wasn’t sure. Either way, the result was the same: she’d barely slept a wink.
