‘I can show you upstairs to a quiet room if you like?’
She sent him a dry look.
‘Not like that,’ he said quickly. ‘I just meant there’s a common room with a TV and a verandah that’s quiet.’
She seemed to be weighing up his sincerity and he must have passed, because she lost the sceptical side-eye she’d been giving him and shook her head. ‘Thanks, but I’m fine. I just needed a minute.’
‘The ex?’ he asked, leaning against the wall across from her. What he really wanted to do was tug her out of that chair and wrap his arms around her like he had earlier in the night. His chest still tingled with warmth, like he could feel her pressed up against him.
She gave a small grunt, which he took for a yes.
He fought to contain his irritation and lost. ‘What the hell did you ever see in that jerk to marry him in the first place?’ he heard himself asking. The guy was an arrogant prick. He’d ordered a drink earlier and Nick had had the urge to punch him in the face just for the way he spoke to the staff. Hecouldn’t even comprehend what someone like Jenny had been doing married to a guy like that.
‘He wasn’t always like that,’ she said with a long sigh.
‘I take it he’s part of the reason you’re hiding out here, though?’
‘I’m not hiding,’ she started to protest, then stopped. ‘Okay, maybe I am, but only because it would upset Savannah if I left the party this early. I’m just waiting until she cuts the birthday cake, then I can go home.’
‘It seems a bit unfair that he’s out there enjoying himself while you’re missing out. You want me to come and keep you company?’
‘No thanks. I think you’ve helped out enough for one night.’
‘Well, to be fair, you were the one who actually took it further with the whole kiss thing. Not that I’m complaining.’
He saw her eyes close briefly and her jaw clench as she gave a small chuckle.
‘It’s okay. Really. I was just stirrin’ you.’
‘It’s not okay. I shouldn’t have done that.’
‘No harm done.’ He shrugged, striving for an offhand tone if only to put her mind at ease. Clearly she was still stressed about the whole thing, which he had to admit hurt a little bit.
‘Let’s just forget it ever happened, okay? Put it down to a stress reaction on my part.’
‘Okay. If it makes you feel better.’
‘That’s exactly what it was,’ she countered, firmly.
‘Okay,’ he agreed, but couldn’t help the small grin that appeared. She was even sexier when her feathers were getting all ruffled.
‘I better get back out there and see what’s happening with the cake,’ she murmured, avoiding his eyes as she stood up.
He pushed off from the wall, bringing them closer, and caught the slight widening of her eyes as she looked up at him. For the briefest of moments he imagined kissing her again, but a loud laugh nearby cut through the tension, ending the moment. He stepped back slightly and she all but scampered away, leaving him to watch her disappear into the party crowd, feeling more than a little disappointed.
