Page 69 of Love & Other Vows

Opening the fridge, I grab six bottles of beer and reach for an open bottle of chilled white wine to get a glass for myself.

A familiar, masculine voice from the TV screen sends my head whipping round, craning to get a better look.

Ben Battle is on screen with his former dance teacher, Sylvia Bright. They’re being interviewed by Natalie Moore, who has since landed a job as an afternoon television presenter.

‘After ten weeks in rehab, I’m delighted to be back with this wonderful woman. She’s been a constant source of support throughout my battle with narcotics. I’ll be forever grateful toSexy Come Dancingfor bringing us together.’ He drops an arm around her shoulder and the camera moves in closer. My mouth lips part to form the perfect O.

Sylvia’s as glamorous as ever in a pale-blue tailored dress with matching kitten heels. Her outfit matches Ben’s eyes, and the smile that forms on her lips mimics his as she announces, ‘We have some news.’

Natalie’s eyes gleam as she leans in closer to where the two of them sit on a large green couch in a plush looking studio. ‘Do tell! We love news on this show!’ Natalie has a face for television. Since the show, Aisling, Gemma, Natalie and I try to meet up for a girls’ night once a month. We’re hoping Natalie might give us a big day out sometime soon; her and Michael are still going strong. She moved into his beachside mansion last month.

‘Two lots of news, actually.’ Ben glances down at her with affection and squeezes her shoulder. ‘Firstly, Sylvia’s starting her own clothing line, which will act as a sister company to mine. We’ll be working together to produce his and hers outfits which complement each other for every occasion.’

‘Ohhh. That sounds absolutely fantastic.’ Natalie looks suitably excited for the camera. ‘Don’t keep us in suspense, what’s the second bit of news?’

‘We’re getting married.’ The words burst from Sylvia’s lips like an explosion as she waves her left hand in the air flashing a sparkling solitaire.

‘Congratulations!’ Natalie squeals, and I find myself grinning along with them.

I did not see that one coming!

Though, Sylvia always did have an eye for Ben. Hopefully this is the marriage that finally works out for her. I genuinely hope they’re happy together.

Ben wasn’t the man the boys remembered; he’d done a lot of growing up since his days on the team. The time we spent together on the show, his compassion beneath the bravado, taught me that.

Seeing him with a good woman on his arm sends a feeling of warmth through my core. Like he’s finally found his place in the universe. And who knows? With the friendship we forged on the show, maybe, just maybe, we might swing an invite to his wedding…

‘Shelly?’ Marcus’s head appears round the kitchen doorway. ‘Everything ok in here, babe?’

Grabbing the remote, I switch the TV off before turning to my husband. ‘Everything is perfect. It’s exactly as it should be.’ I give him five bottles, balancing them in each of his hands.

‘Come back for yours.’ I wink at him and a knowing grin rips across his face.

‘I don’t need to be told twice.’

I pour myself a glass of wine and offer Ana one. She declines with a shake of her head, a small smile playing on her lips. ‘Just popping over to my own place for a while. Need to check Rodrigo has everything he needs for the party tonight.’

Tonight, we’re hosting everyone here for a barbeque. The kids will hopefully entertain each other, and we should be able to relax with a few drinks without worrying about any sneaky paparazzi.

Ana slips out the front door as Marcus slips in the back, chased by his teammates’ wolf whistles and catcalls.

‘We know what you’re up to in there,’ Eddie’s voice rings through the open window that Marcus sticks his middle finger out of, before dropping the blind.

‘Well leave us in peace to crack on with it then,’ Marcus shouts.

I drag him to the solid oak dining room table, tugging off my slip as I hop onto it.

‘Now, where were we, Mrs Williams?’ His lips capture mine, parting them with his tongue as his hands untie the string of my neon bikini.

A twinkle gleams in his darkening eyes as his huge powerful legs nudge between mine, parting my thighs.

My fingers slide over his perfect pecs, and a gentle sigh of appreciation hums from my mouth to his. ‘We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be, Mr Williams.’

And though we might have gone the long way about it the past year, it’s the absolute truth of the matter.