I slink up behind him, snaking my arms around his waist, and he flinches.
Spinning round, his hands catch my wrists and he visibly relaxes.
‘Did you miss me?’ I press a kiss to his lips. He responds but with not nearly as much enthusiasm as I’d like.
‘I miss you every time we’re apart.’ Huge chocolate eyes gaze into mine. Their usual promising heat is missing and they seem to emit a sadness.
‘Grafton Street was fab, but so hectic. We nearly got mobbed by some of your crazy fans. I won’t be rushing back. I got you a Christmas present though...’
‘Ah, Sash, why didn’t you take Pierce with you? You can’t just wander off like that. Not anymore.’ His gaze softens. ‘Besides, I told you not to buy me anything. There’s nothing in this world I need or want that I don’t already have.’
‘That’s what you think.’ Grabbing him by the hand, I tug him away from the stage. ‘This is absolutely class. I’ve never seen a marquee like it.’
Marvelling at the opulence of a glorified tent, I observe the staff hanging an abundance of fairy lights, mistletoe and intricately woven holly wreaths. No expense spared.
At the back of the tent a makeshift bar’s being erected, it’s even bigger than the stage. With eleven hundred tickets sold, every inch of it is going to be utterly essential.
Ryan’s oddly quiet next to me, even more so than yesterday.
Jayden made no secret of his opinion on our relationship in Vegas. He warned me Ryan’s schedule in the new year is going to be so hectic, he’ll barely have time to breathe, let alone conduct a meaningful relationship, but I thought Ryan and I were above that. Admittedly, we still need to iron out the details but we’re both committed to making it work.
Twisting to press myself against his chest, I angle upwards, seeking a sliver of reassurance. ‘Is everything ok?’
Ryan’s arms slip around my shoulders, returning the embrace, but his gaze wanders, eyeing everything but me. ‘Everything’s fine.’
‘You seem a bit distracted. What’s going on?’
Black narrow pupils pensively meet mine. ‘I’m just tired that’s all. It’s been a hectic few weeks.’
He’s right. Though I can’t shake the suspicion there’s more to it than that.
Is it me?
Has he finally remembered he’s a living legend and way out of my league? Aunty Evelyn’s comments ring freshly in my ears.
Has Jayden said something to put him off me?
Is it tomorrow night’s concert? The one that’s basically saving my family’s castle and putting Huxley back on the map as one of the most sought-after hotels in Ireland?
Or is the bubble about to burst with the reality of Christmas approaching and all that has to be decided in the new year?
Taking his hands in mine, I kiss the back of them, like he’s done to mine a million times before.
‘You would tell me if there was something up, wouldn’t you?’ I hate the hint of neediness that creeps into my tone.
‘Everything’s fine, Sasha, please, drop it.’ He takes his hand back and pulls me towards the bar.
‘Is the bar functional yet?’ Ryan asks a bearded waiter stocking bottles in one of many fridges lining the back wall.
Either he doesn’t know who Ryan is, or he doesn’t care, because he barely glances at him, his eyes are solely trained on me.
‘Miss Sexton. What can I get for you?’
Ryan harrumphs and bristles next to me, but he takes a seat at a frosted chrome bar stool.
‘Two whiskeys, please. The Black Barrel will be fine, thanks.’
The server reaches for the top shelf, grabbing two tumblers. ‘There’s no ice yet, I’m afraid.’
