Page 62

Chapter Ten

Angela ran her fingers through her hair again, spreading the serum through her curls, and looked in the mirror. She hesitated, peering at the box on her dressing table, then shrugged and thought: why not?. It was the Christmas Tree Dance, after all, so she wove the sparkling twisted pins amongst her hair, and dusted shimmering gloss across her lips. A silver-grey pashmina and she’d be ready.

She wasn’t a model-skinny social media starlet, and she wasn’t all that sure the pretty-make-up-and-dresses thing was really her — but she had to admit, she did scrub up pretty well. And, as much as it annoyed her to admit it, the dress her mum had gifted her for Christmas the previous year was perfect. It wasn’t anything that she would have ever chosen: a handmade dress that started off smooth over her shoulders and chest, fitted closely against her in dove grey silk, before flaring out at the waist, shading into soft blues and bringing in different fabrics and shades of blue that turned into a full skirt, which swished and swirled as she moved. And she did, twisting back and forth and enjoying the soft sigh of the fabrics. Although her still recovering leg meant heels weren’t an option — she wasn’t sure that wasn’t more of a handy excuse — so she was wearing purple biker boots that she’d glammed up with some sparkly laces. They’d have to do. Not exactly elegant or glamorous, but comfy, and very her.

She didn’t think anyone would comment on it, but if anyone didn’t like it — they’d just have to lump it. And that went as much for how she looked as it did for whose hand she’d be holding. She didn’t think any of her friends would have real issues — they’d been welcoming enough at the pub — but other people, and her mum . . . she wasn’t so sure.

She’d spoken to her mum about it a few days before. She’d put it off for as long as she’d dared after Cathy had gotten back from staying with her sister — but she hadn’t been able to avoid it forever, knowing how Broclington was, and how fast news would spread. So she’d done her best to reassure her mum — explaining that she really did like him, and that he’d changed a lot from the man who’d caused them both so much hurt — but Cathy had pulled a face, warning her daughter that she should be careful. She didn’t trust that he wouldn’t hurt her again. She had a very low opinion of him, and wasn’t afraid to share it. It hadn’t been an argument — not exactly — but it had left Angela feeling a bit out of sorts, and at odds with her mum. It wasn’t a feeling she liked, and she hadn’t yet worked out how to deal with it.

Thankfully, Ryan’s knock at the door interrupted her thoughts before they took a path she didn’t really want to follow. It was a few minutes to get down the stairs to open the door, and when she did, she had to remind herself to close her mouth. Ryan looked . . . like his online persona. His dark hair was slicked back neatly, making his dark eyes seem even deeper and brighter than usual, and his slick, dark blue tux fit like it had been made just for him.

Part of her wanted to pull him into her house then and there, locking the door firmly behind them, but the other part held back, slightly unsure of the gorgeous, polished man who stood in front of her. He reached for her hand, raised it to his lips and gently kissed her fingers, his eyes not leaving hers.

‘You look spectacular, Angela.’

She had no idea how to respond to that, and felt a flush creeping up her cheeks. Rather than think about it, she wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug, mindful of her carefully applied make-up. And wow, he smelled amazing — something stronger and spicier than usual, but utterly delicious. She was tempted to bury her face in his neck and stay right there.

‘Oh wow, are these for me?’ She couldn’t miss the flash of colour behind his back.

‘Right, the flowers.’ He grinned, looking less like Maverick and far more like the Ryan who’d turned his life upside down for a bird. ‘I’d forgotten. You really are stunning.’ He pulled the flowers from behind his back. ‘For you.’

She gathered them in her arms, inhaling their sweet scent — a beautiful mix of creamy white roses, mixed with frosted pinecones and bright, glossy red berries. She struggled to remember the last time a man had brought her flowers before Ryan, yet here he was again, with another beautiful bunch. ‘They’re beautiful. Thank you so much.’ She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Please, come in while I find a vase. You really didn’t have to do this.’

‘I know. But the way they made you smile, I’m really glad I did.’

And just like that, she couldn’t care less about her make-up — she wrapped her arms back around his neck and kissed him deeply, breathing in his scent and loving the feeling of his hand nestling in the small of her back, pulling her closer, while the other slid around the back of her neck.

* * *

Ryan was used to a certain level of attention, and even expected it — after all, that was how Maverick made his money — but the quiet ripple that went through the crowded cricket clubhouse when he walked in, Angela on his arm, was something else.

‘I think we might be public now,’ he whispered to her.

‘I’m good with that.’ She brushed a kiss against his lips, smiling as she did so. When she pulled back, she winked at him. ‘Just in case anyone had any questions.’

Damn, she really was amazing. For a few seconds, she eclipsed everything and everyone else in the room.

‘There you are, you look gorgeous, Ange!’ Liv gave her a brief hug as they walked into the ball, leaving him time to look around at the shimmering winter wonderland that had been created inside of the cricket clubhouse, which spilled out into a marquee that had been added onto the back.

‘Evening, Rick. Good to see you again.’ She gave him a bright smile. ‘Nice entrance.’

‘Good to see you too, Liv.’ He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to respond to her other comment, so ignored it. ‘You look lovely.’

‘Thank you.’ Liv smiled. ‘You scrub up pretty well yourself.’

‘Thanks.’ He nodded, still not knowing how to reply.

‘Certainly better than when you’re elbow-deep in Ernie’s leavings.’

‘Well, at least I’d like to think I smell better now.’

‘True enough.’ Liv laughed. ‘I should go find the girls. Have a good evening.’

‘Thanks.’ Angela kissed her friend on the cheek before sliding her hand into his.

He smiled at her as they headed further in, walking down a red carpet edged with snowflakes and fairy lights that shimmered and flickered in a game of chase. It was far from the fanciest carpet he’d walked, but with Angela by his side, he was pretty sure it might be one of his favourites.

They were stopped again by an older woman who had Angela’s stunning eyes, and curls streaked with grey. Rick gulped, hoping that his nerves weren’t making his palm sweaty in Angela’s hand, as the woman he’d dreaded meeting looked him up and down.