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Katie’s eyes were like saucers. ‘No!’ she exclaimed. ‘You don’t understand. I do love Ned but not in that way and it’s so bloody complicated and I never meant for all of this to happen. I came up here hoping to help everything and I’ve ended up making things worse for everyone and dragging you into the whole drama.’
‘You haven’t dragged me in. I’ve walked into – whatever this is – with my eyes wide open.’ He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to hold her and kiss her forever. ‘But I need to protect myself. I’ve had – a bad experience not that long ago and I don’t want to go through it again.’
She shuddered and wrapped her arms around her body. It was all Arlo could do not to wrap his arms around her too. His heart wanted to soar yet he daren’t let it. He wanted to believe that she was over Ned and ready to move on with him, but he couldn’t let himself hope too much.
Her breath misted the air. ‘You’re cold,’ he said. ‘We should go back inside.’
‘I don’t feel much like it, though I suppose the others might wonder where we’ve got to.’
‘Katie!’ Ned’s voice cut through the night air as he jogged across the car park. ‘Katie, I saw you rush out. Are you OK?’
He saw her put on a tight smile for Ned. ‘I’m fine. The heat got to me, that’s all. It’s so stuffy and crowded in there.’
‘It’s time for that dance you promised but if you don’t feel up to it?’
‘I – I already feel better and I’ll be OK after a few minutes out here but I don’t feel like any more dancing if you don’t mind.’
Arlo looked at her.
‘K-Katie!’ Jess skittered up. ‘Is everything OK? I’ve only just found out you rushed off.’
‘Yes. I’m fine,’ Katie insisted. ‘Really.’
‘I’ll stay out here with you,’ Jess said.
‘No. Please. Please go back inside and finish the dance. Ned, why don’t you dance with Jess?’
‘We don’t want to leave you,’ they declared in unison.
‘I can stay and then take you home,’ Arlo said, longing to do just that.
‘No, it’s fine.’ She smiled at him, her eyes pleading, and his heart ached. ‘I’m already embarrassed enough by rushing out and making a scene. The best thing you could do for me is go back inside and tell anyone who asks that I’m absolutely fine and then we can all go home.’
Jess and Ned exchanged glances. ‘Are you sure?’
‘I really shouldn’t leave you,’ Ned said.
‘Please.’ Katie sounded so desperate that Jess said:
‘Come on, Ned. We’ll be straight back out.’
‘I’ll meet you back inside in a few minutes,’ Katie reassured them.
After a couple more protestations, Jess and Ned went inside, leaving Arlo and Katie alone.
‘How are you really?’ Arlo asked.
‘Better than I was. Better without the fuss even if they’re fussing because they care about me.’
He smiled briefly.
‘Believe me, I never wanted to embroil you in all of this.’
He nodded. ‘I’ve enjoyed being embroiled. Some of the time.’
‘Oh, Arlo.’ She touched his arm again and let her fingers rest there briefly ‘We’ll all be out of your hair soon and you can go back to normal.’
He gave a little breath and a half-smile. ‘I don’t think I can ever go back to normal.’
