‘And the way you look into each other’s eyes. Wait for it… Right about now…’ Flynn said pointing at the screen. There it was, the moment Guy had gently brushed away the snowflakes from Libby’s hair, then her nose, before they skated to the centre and he slowly lifted the mistletoe above their heads. Just watching the kiss made Libby want to kiss him again. He had the softest lips she’d ever felt.
‘Thank you again,’ continued Flynn, ‘for agreeing to be the pretend bride and groom.’
Libby was lost for words, not sure what to say, and was pleasantly surprised when Guy came to her rescue.
‘We couldn’t let you down. Starcross Manor deserves to be the number one wedding venue in this part of the world and if we can help you achieve that dream then it’s our pleasure. Isn’t that right, Libby?’
‘Of course,’ she immediately replied. ‘We couldn’t let you down.’ Libby looked up at Guy, who simply smiled serenely back at her. She wondered why the sudden turnaround but then the penny dropped. He’d wanted to kiss her as much as she’d wanted to kiss him but he didn’t want to explain that to Flynn.
Making the most of the situation that they had landed themselves in, Libby playfully smacked Guy’s backside. ‘Tomorrow, this one gets to try on the wedding attire. Kilts…’ she said with a mischievous look on her face. ‘And I’m curious to discover whether or not he’s a true Scotsman.’ She gave him a cheeky wink.
Guy shook his head good-humouredly, both of them relieved that Flynn seemed to be unaware that he’d caught then sharing a real moment on the ice. He thought it had all been for him.
‘I’ll turn off the lights and everything while you two take your skates off. Then let’s get a drink at the hotel bar.’
Even though Libby didn’t want the night to be over, going home now would be the perfect end to her evening.
‘I’m going to pass but you boys have a good time.’
‘Are you sure?’ Flynn and Guy asked in unison.
‘Yes,’ she replied, knowing there was a hot bubble bath with her name on it, and then she could continue sewing a few more flowers for Julia’s wedding outfit.
‘Well, I’ll see you tomorrow for my kilt fitting,’ Guy said with a playful look in his eyes.
‘I can’t wait.’
After the lights were switched off and Flynn had made sure all the huts were locked, they headed towards the manor.
‘Are you sure we can’t twist your arm and convince you to join us?’ Flynn asked, touching Libby’s arm.
She shook her head. ‘I’ve got a secret mission I want to be getting on with.’ Giving away nothing else, Libby left them on the steps of the entrance to Starcross Manor.
In the short time since meeting Guy, she’d begun to feel different. She was strangely at ease in his presence and, holding his hand and skating around the rink, she’d felt an overwhelming sense of happiness and belonging.
And that’s when it hit her: she missed being part of a couple. Knowing by the way he’d kissed her that he must be feeling the same gave Libby an all-over warm glow. It was a feeling she barely recognised—the first flush of love. This was going to complicate things immensely.
ChapterEleven
The snow was coming down with bold grace when Libby drew back the curtains. The fast-falling snowflakes instantly transported her back to last night and the moment when Guy had accidently started the snow machine. She smiled to herself, thinking of the time they’d spent together, skating hand in hand around the rink, and the intense look in his eyes when he stared into hers.
After she’d left Flynn and Guy last night her thoughts were chaotic, darting all over the place. All she could think about was what could have happened if Flynn hadn’t turned up. What would she and Guy have said to each other after the kiss? Would they have kissed again? Libby knew she’d wanted to … but as soon she arrived back at the lodge she checked her emails and was brought back to reality. Two videos had been sent to her from her new boss at the fashion house in New York, and after curling up on the settee she opened the first one.
Her boss spoke directly into the camera, saying she was standing on the third floor of the fashion house and was going to give Libby a virtual tour. ‘Come and see your office. We can’t wait for you to arrive!’ The view changed as Francesca turned the camera to face forward and walked through the busy office towards a door. When the door opened the camera panned across a number of people standing behind the work table, one with his arm wrapped around the mannequin’s neck, making Libby laugh. ‘Let me introduce you to your staff.’ Libby gave a little gasp. She had her very own team working with her? She had thought she’d be on her own in the beginning and a team would come later. But no, she had a runner, who literally ran about after anything she needed, a marketing assistant who was a social media expert and would help sell her designs online, and what they called an intern who was going to be Libby’s shadow and learn everything that Libby could share with her.
After each staff member introduced themselves, Francesca came back on screen and said, ‘Get ready for part two.’ Everyone waved goodbye and the video clicked off.
Opening the second video she saw Francesca was standing in a new room. She panned the camera to show the floor-to-ceiling windows then focused on the view outside. Libby sat up and stared at the screen. Before her was the Hudson River and the heart of Manhattan. She could make out many iconic sites, including the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. ‘Libby Carter, welcome to your brand-new New York apartment! It’s ready and waiting for you!’
Libby’s jaw dropped as Francesca gave her a tour. ‘Your lease is for one year to start and then you can renew or move elsewhere; the choice is entirely yours. It’s a five-minute walk to work and has a view to die for. We all can’t wait for you to arrive and see it for yourself!’
For the rest of the evening, Libby had tried to concentrate on Julia’s outfit but the thought of the new job and the kiss with Guy were both very much on her mind. She kept trying to remind herself – with not much luck – that whatever was going on here between her and Guy was short-term, and New York was waiting for her to arrive and start the rest of her life. After successfully sewing all the flowers onto Julia’s outfit she finally climbed into bed just before midnight. She knew she was in for a restless night.
Her new job was one hell of an opportunity. It would catapult her name and designs into a global arena. She would be featured in magazines around the world and her name would stand alongside some of the greats in the industry. But mixed with this acknowledgement was a feeling of trepidation. Taking the job meant leaving her family behind, a disconcerting thought she couldn’t shake off.
Now, in need of coffee, Libby headed to the kitchen. Guy’s scarf was draped over the back of the settee and she picked it up, briefly closing her eyes and inhaling his scent. ‘What are you doing, you absolute weirdo?’ she said out loud, putting the scarf back before catching sight of her reflection in the mirror on the wall. Her bed hair would need a lot of taming today. Her curls were springing in every direction.
As she waited for the kettle to boil, she leaned on the worktop with folded arms and looked out across the stunning scenery. Only a few weeks ago the trees had been heaven-blended browns and caramels but now they were frosted with a lacy brilliant white.
