My tongue traces her thigh and she pants, ‘I might just let you.’
‘Good, because that’s what I intend on telling your family tomorrow.’
When she reaches for my buckle I halt her. I discreetly slip my hand into my jean pocket and pull out a platinum single solitaire. I’m already on my knees.
‘You know tomorrow is six months since we went on our first date?’ I tell her. She nods and her eyes soften and light with surprise that I remembered. She shouldn’t be surprised; I remember every tiny insignificant detail when it comes to her because none of it is insignificant to me.
‘Then on our second date, we agreed we’d elope. We got engaged to be engaged.’ She giggles and this time when she goes for my buckle again I don’t stop her. ‘You made it very difficult for me to disagree, she adds.’ Her cheeks flush and I picture her on my worktop, me teasing her entrance with my tip.
Dropping my jeans I free myself, repeating the exact same technique. She’s quicker this time, more experienced. She almost slides herself onto me before I drag myself away.
‘Amy Harrington, I meant every word I said six months ago. These have been the most amazing six months of my life. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’
I open my palm before her eyes.
‘It might not be what you would have picked. I had to call in a huge favour to even get the jeweller to open his shop for me and he said you can change it tomorrow if you don’t like it.’ I’m waffling, conscious that she’s staring at it wide-eyed without uttering a word. Her huge hazel eyes fill with unshed tears and she nods, apparently rendered speechless for the second time tonight.
As I slip the ring on her fourth finger, she slips on to me to make the slowest, sweetest love we’ve managed yet. Six isn’t just her lucky number, it’s mine too.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
AMY
As usual, I sit with the kids at a folding table temporarily set up at the far end of the kitchen while my siblings congregate with their partners at the grown-up table. Nicky, Matthew’s wife, shoots me an apologetic glance as her daughter, Stacey, climbs on my knee while I attempt to cut the roast beef on the plate in front of me.
Not one of them has noticed the ring on my finger. Sometimes I wonder if they notice me at all.
Eddie’s dissecting yesterday’s game in front of our family with all eyes glued on him, while I work up the nerve to tell them my news. I promised Ollie I’d do it today. He begged me to let him come with me, to shoulder the brunt of it. He had a mad notion that it might even evolve into a celebration. With the memory of what Eddie did to Zac permanently seared into my brain, there’s no way I can risk shocking Eddie in Ollie’s presence.
Though the situation is wildly different, I’m one hundred per cent certain Eddie will go off his head and it won’t be pretty. I only hope with the room full of relatives,someonewill be happy for me. Because I am happy. Ollie makes me happy. He’s everything I need in a man and everything I could have dreamed of in a husband. Even thinking the word brings a grin to my face.
‘You were in London, weren’t you, Aunty Amy?’ Stacey asks me while the grown-ups continue talking at the other table. Her thoughtful brown eyes shine up at mine.
‘I was, honey.’
‘Did you have a nice time?’ She touches my ring with no idea of its significance.
‘I was working too. But it was nice.’ When I left the steam room, I got changed and called a taxi. Oxford Street is one of my favourite places. I’ve never been into shopping, but people watching is something else. I like to watch, guess, examine and learn, in the hope that it’ll give me some future insight for my own life. The familiar city looked different through my recently opened eyes. It helped me clarify what I want. And what I’m willing to sacrifice to get it.
Stacey hops off my knee and I stand, gathering the children’s plates, scraping and stacking ready for the dishwasher. When I finish, I go to the adult table and do the same, stalling for time. Putting off what I know I inevitably have to tell them. Hopefully the wine consumed with dinner will soften the blow. Mam will be delighted, I know she will. Keira too, once she gets over the shock. Matthew is always happy for me. Who knows, maybe, just maybe, I could have it all wrong? Perhaps Eddie might be delighted for me too. He knows Ollie is a good man. Knows he won’t mess me around.
Who am I kidding? It’s going to be ugly. I need to get on with it.
‘And how didyouget on in London?’ Mam asks me, sitting back from the table and scraping her own plate. I’m surprised she even remembers I’m working for the team. ‘Did you catch up with any old friends?’
‘Any old flames you aren’t telling us about?’ Emma jokes, before taking a sip of her wine. ‘You know you still have a plus-one invitation to the wedding should you need it.’ She winks at me.
‘Don’t be silly, Emma. Our Amy isn’t interested in a relationship, she’s far too sensible for that,’ Eddie says.
As if he’s not sensible because he’s marrying the most beautiful woman on the planet. One that adores him as much as he adores her. Does he think I don’t deserve that kind of love? Or that I’m simply incapable of finding it?
He ruffles my hair as I take his plate. That patronising gesture is once again the final straw for me. The plate I’m holding slips through my fingers, banging back onto the table in front of Eddie’s casually clasped hands. The room falls silent as heads turn to stare at the damage done. It’s nothing compared to what I’m about to unleash. Taking a deep breath, I admit my truths out loud.
‘Actually, I have met somebody.’ My insides quiver but my voice remains steady.
‘That’s fantastic!’ Emma exclaims as Eddie’s eyebrows knit together in a frown.
‘Who is he?’ Eddie’s voice is loaded with caution as if anyone I pick for myself is bound to be completely unsuitable.
