Page 277 of The Christmas Wife

"It doesn’t bother me."

She scans my features. "Hmm."

"What’s that hmm for?" I glance at my coffee. It’s only four p.m. If only, I could have something stronger. Only it’s dry January, and I’m trying to detox. And not just when it comes to alcohol, apparently, because since that night with Hunter, I haven’t wanted to sleep with anyone else. Or been attracted to anyone else, for that matter. In fact, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Hunter, which is, honestly, not great.

"Just hmm," Isla’s voice has a sly tone to it.

"What’s going on in that head of yours?"

"Me? Nothing." She widens her gaze and I sigh.

"'Fess up, will you."

"Oh, I’m just thinking that the two of you make a good couple. Of course, not that you are together or anything, but if you were, then you could help him with his leadership campaign."

"It would be a disaster. The two of us would not be able to agree on anything. He wants someone who’s more submissive, and I’m not someone who likes to be told what to do." Except in bed, and only by him, apparently.

Isla blinks. "Umm, are we talking sex, or are we talking about getting on the campaign trail here?"

"Both," I shoot back.

There’s silence, then Solene presses a finger to her cheek. "I think it’s the fact that the two of you challenge each other that makes you both so well-suited for the other. In fact, I think you are exactly the kind of person he needs to help him during his candidature."

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since my track went viral, the number of people who’ve crawled out of the woodwork and want to become part of my entourage has multiplied. In fact, the only people it hasn’t affected are the two of you?—"

"And Declan," Isla points out.

"And Declan," Solene agrees, but her tone is hesitant.

I narrow my gaze. "Is it all the publicity surrounding your success that’s made it difficult for the two of you to be together?"

"One of us being in the public eye is difficult enough," she replies and blows out a breath. "But add in the fact that Declan’s last film was a big hit, and the media speculation on our every move, can make things challenging, to say the least."

"Oh, honey, I’m so sorry," Isla says in a soft voice.

"Media intrusion is never easy. The trick, though, is not to give any weight to what they write. Don’t respond to them, don’t engage with them. And never, ever google yourself," I add.

"It’s not easy, though, when you are in the eye of the storm?—"

"You find the calm," I murmur.

"Wise words." Solene chuckles. "But again, we’re not talking about me, and neither Isla nor I are letting you off that easily." She waggles a finger at me. "So, going back to sex and the hot Prime Ministerial candidate to-be, you were saying?—"

"Not much. I don’t have anything to do with his campaign, or with the man himself."

"Is that why you’re moping?" Solene tips down her chin.

"I’m not moping."

"You refused to come out and meet any of us on New Year’s Eve."

"I was busy." I fold my arms across my chest.

She firms her lips. "How many New Year’s Eves have you spent on your own at home before this?"

This was the first one. It really is not like me to be a shrinking violet. To prefer my own company to that of my friends, or indeed, a roomful of strangers I could socialize with. But I’ve been feeling so tired and under the weather, nothing has felt as good as watching the News at ten on BBC, then crawling into bed. On my own. Jeez, am I growing old before my time? My face falls.

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