Archie coughs, then tugs my hand in a silent encouragement to move my startled ass from the vehicle.
Our faces are only inches apart and still he refuses to look directly at me.
I hop out, yank back my scalded hand and place it on the chilled bottle to soothe the burn. Side by side, we cross the car park, riding the lift in silence. I chance a sidewards glance in his direction, but his gaze remains rigidly forward. Tension plumes through the air swirling around us.
At least I think it’s tension. Unless it’s all in my head?
When the lift doors ping out, he raises a large hand, halting me before stepping out.
So much for ladies first.
Billie Eilish pumps from along the corridor and I march past Archie, in desperate need of a drink, a fan or a vibrator. Or all of the above.
He’s at my heels as I let myself in. At least thirty fellow student doctors are crammed into Libby’s kitchen. Gauging from the noise level, there are twice as many in the living area next door.
I’m greeted by the host herself, dressed in a stunning gold, backless Victoria Beckham dress. Sasha has the exact same one.
Melanie flanks her, the tips of her crimson hair only reaching Libby’s shoulder, but she looks equally fabulous, if a little more quirky, in a crushed velvet, vintage A-line mini dress. The jade colouring compliments her sparkling irises.
‘Victoria! You made it!’ they screech simultaneously.
‘Of course I made it. Where else would I be?’ My FOMO is notorious amongst my friends. They lunge forwards, pulling me into a group hug.
‘We didn’t know if your new bodyguard would let you out after the other night…’ Libby’s voice trails off as her eyes land on the brooding hunk beside me. Her hand clutches her chest as her eyes rake over him unashamedly.
Meanwhile, I remain straight-faced, pretending my underwear isn’t rapidly melting with each passing second, feigning utter obliviousness to his obscenely devastating appeal.
‘Oh my…’ A nervous giggle rattles through Mel’s pearly teeth.
‘This is Archie. He’s a whole barrel of fun. Once he heard there was a party, I couldn’t keep him away.’ My eyes slant in his direction. I swear I see a smirk, but it vanishes before I get a proper look.
‘Ladies.’ He nods politely at Libby and Melanie before enquiring, ‘How many entrances are there?’
Libby gazes up at Archie in obvious awe. She’s practically salivating. ‘There’s the front door you came in through, a side door which opens out to the fire escape steps, and there’s the entrance to the rooftop terrace which can only be accessed from inside. I’ll be happy to show you all the erm…entrances if you like?’
His eyes meet hers and I watch on in disbelief. He’s got no problem looking at my gorgeous friend, but he can’t bear to lay his eyes on me.
My chest constricts and a flicker of envy flutters through my gut.
Please, Libby, not him. Not Archie. You can have any man you want. Don’t pick him.
I silently telepath the memo, but she doesn’t seem to get it. Her attention is focused entirely on my beautiful bodyguard.
I shouldn’t care. He doesn’t want me. He never did. But for some reason, the thought of him with my best friend, or any other woman for that matter, kills me.
Finally, after what seems like an eternity, he speaks. ‘That won’t be necessary, thank you.’
His palm settles on the small of my back as he bends to whisper in my ear. ‘Shall I pop that for you?’
My breath catches in my throat.
If he’s talking about my cherry, I popped it years ago with a visiting SHO lecturer from Glasgow University. My bodyguard at the time, Vince, thought he was giving me some extracurricular tuition. I suppose he was, just not in the way Vince imagined.
‘I…uh…’ My mouth is dry and my heart is pounding. One fleeting touch and I’m rendered a blabbering idiot.
Archie takes the champagne from my clammy hands and the second his palm leaves my spine, I miss it.
Oh God. It’s been five fucking years and I’m still insanely attracted to him.
