‘You’ll find out when I’m ready. Now, if it makes youhappy, I’ll admit that if I was going to marry anyone, it would probably be David.’
‘Probably? That would hardly fill him with confidence.’ Hayley frowned worriedly, her eyes studying her mother more closely now. ‘What’s going on with you?’ she asked. ‘Obviously something is …’
Sighing, Cristy deflected away from Kinsey’s offer with an excuse about the new podcast series taking up a lot of head space, which was true: it really was. However, she couldn’t get into the details of that either, and nor did she want to admit to being menopausal. So, switching the subject back to where they’d started, she said, ‘Tell me, do you think Anna or Cynthia noticed that I didn’t look thrilled?’
Hayley shrugged. ‘I don’t know. It all happened so fast, but I’m glad David wasn’t there to see it. If he knows you as well as I do, he’d have picked up right away that the surprise, if it was real, was going to backfire.’
Would it have?
She couldn’t say for certain, only knew that she was glad it wasn’t in the plan – and was it going to seem strange to Hayley if she opened a window when it had to be close to zero outside? ‘Thankfully he wasn’t there,’ she said, tugging off her jumper, ‘ and as it’s no longer an issue, maybe you’d like to tell me what the surpriseactuallyis?’
Hayley laughed. ‘Nice try, but no deal. I can tell you this, though: it’s not a great big fat diamond … well, it might be – I’ve no idea what David’s got for you – but the real surprise is from all of us and is definitely something you’re going to love.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
The following evening, after a hectic day spent bringing everything and everyone together, Cristy gave herself a quick last appraisal in the mirror before, satisfied she was neither glowing nor perspiring, she sauntered out of David’s dressing room, keen to get his reaction to her floor length, figure-hugging silver gown.
When she saw him standing in front of a long mirror in his tux, fixing his sapphire blue bow-tie, she found herself so distracted by how damned gorgeous he looked that it was a moment before she registered the way he was looking at her reflection.
‘Jesus,’ he murmured, and turning to her, he let his eyes sweep her from top to toe in a way that actually made her heart beat faster. ‘You are sensational,’ he told her gruffly. ‘Now I want to know how I got to be so lucky.’
Loving his response, she gave him a twirl to reveal the gown’s exquisite drop-back, right down to her waist, and had the satisfaction of hearing him groan.
Coming to her, he pressed his mouth gently to her bare skin and said, ‘Can we cut to later, after the party’s over and I get you all to myself?’
‘Already counting the hours,’ she replied, keeping her voice low.
Clearly amused by her answer, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red Cartier box.
Her heart somersaulted. So hewasgoing to propose!Jesus.What was she going to say?It couldn’t be no, obviously – it would ruin the evening – but so would anything other than yes.
‘We can always change them,’ he said, opening the box to show her what was inside. ‘If you think …’
‘Oh my God, David,’ she cried, unravelling with relief and dazzled by the exquisite diamond stud earrings. ‘They’re beautiful. I’ve never …’ Her voice faltered as she looked into his eyes. ‘I’ve never owned anything like this,’ she said truthfully.
He smiled. ‘I’m glad you like them. Will you wear them tonight?’
‘Of course.’ And quickly unfastening the fakes she was wearing, she watched him watching her in the mirror as she replaced them with the most expensive and subtly stunning jewellery she’d ever worn. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, as he cupped a hand gently around her face. ‘I love them.’
‘I hope you don’t mind that I stole a lead on everyone else with my gift,’ he said, ‘but I didn’t want them to be upstaged by the surprise.’
‘What on earth could be better than Cartier earrings?’ She laughed incredulously.
With a playful arch of his brows, David tucked her arm through his and led her out of the room.
Fifteen minutes later, they were in the spaciously exotic environs of the orangery, drinks in hand, family close by as guests who’d come from all over to celebrate her big day began arriving. They all looked so happy and glamorous in their tuxedos and cocktail dresses that Cristy was delighted to see Connor taking shots for her to keep and cherish.
‘Hey you,’ a familiar voice whispered, coming up behind her. ‘Happy birthday. You look stunning.’
Turning, Cristy cried, ‘Andee!’ and quickly putting aside her champagne, she gave her dear friend a bruising hug, determinedly pushing away all thoughts of Paul Kinsleyand RK Media. Now definitely was not the right time for it. ‘Thank you for coming all this way,’ she gushed. ‘It’s wonderful that you’re here, and you look amazing.’
Laughing, Andee gave a quick twirl to show off her clinging black jersey dress, with diamanté detail around the wrists and collar that matched the sparkling clip holding her curly dark hair. Her mesmerizing aquamarine eyes and infectious smile always had set her apart as a beauty, and seeing her now, all dressed up and glowing like a movie star, made it hard to believe she’d once been a detective investigating some of the nation’s most violent crimes.
Would she want to go back to that?
She wouldn’t be anywhere near as hands-on with RK …
‘Cristy Ward! At last, I get to meet you.’
