Page 49 of It Started with a Kiss
‘Okay, maybe I should just tell you now then, eh? Okay, so there’s this rather posh charity ball thing in a couple of months. McKendrick Law attends every year. It’s run by a children’s cancer charity, and I really want to go. And…’ He cleared his throat. ‘I’d like you to go with me as my date. What do you think?’
Ugh. Events like that weren’t really my kind of thing, but I didn’t want to let Fin down. The fact that I wouldn’t know anyone there preyed on my mind, along with visions of being left with a table full of strangers whilst Fin went to mingle.
I realised I had been silent for a while and cleared my throat. ‘Um... yeah. Yeah, sure.’
Fin sighed. ‘Do I sense a bit of hesitation, Star? If you’d rather not go—’
I winced. ‘No, I’ll go. I’m just being silly. I’m just nervous. I don’t usually get the chance to go to such things. And… I’m not sure my pink hair will really help me to fit in. Maybe I should dye—’
‘You absolutely won’t dye your hair! Don’t change who you are for one night, Star. I’ve done enough of that in my time and I’ll no be doing it any more.’ There was a pause at his end before he continued. ‘But, having said that, I don’t want you to feel pressured into going. I just... I want to show you off.’
My heart skipped a beat when I heard those words and the sincerity in their delivery. I wanted so much to kiss him right then. ‘You’re so sweet.’
‘When it comes to sweet, I think you win, hands down.’
‘Don’t you know that flattery will get youeverywhere, Mr. Hunter?’
He chuckled. ‘Well, I certainly hope so.’ His deep voice sent a shiver of delight right through me, and I had to breathe deeply in through my nose to calm myself. ‘Look, if you really don’t want to go, that’s fine. And it’s a while away so I don’t want to put pressure on you so soon.’
Why was I hesitating? This was Fin saying that he saw our relationship as meaningful; that he was looking beyond the next week and believing that perhaps we were going to last. Why else would he want to take me to such an important event?
I mentally pulled up my big girl panties. ‘Fin, I’d honestly love to go with you. And besides, it gives me an opportunity to go shopping for a fancy outfit.’Why the hell did I say that? I hate shopping.
‘Look, you’re a beautiful woman, and I don’t care what you wear. Don’t feel you have to be all conservative. Just beyou. It’s you that I lo—I mean it’s you that...’
My breath hitched and I covered my mouth.He almost said he loved me. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. It was too soon.Muchtoo soon. But damn if I didn’t feel it too.
‘It’s okay, Fin. I know what you mean. And I promise Iwillbe myself. I think I’d struggle to be anyone else.’
‘Good. Now when can I see you again?’
30
Fin
Just the thought of seeing Star all dressed up for the ball made my heart do somersaults in my chest. I couldn’t wait to walk into that event with the most attractive woman in attendance.
We arranged to see each other a couple of nights later and go to DeBasement again, and I found myself counting the hours until I could see her.
When the day arrived, I was sitting at my desk, staring at the view of the vast city of Edinburgh, coffee cup in hand, having a break and fantasising about her when there was a knock on my door which yanked me from my daydream.
‘Hi, Fin.’ Alasdair’s bright and breezy voice caught me off guard.
I spun round on my chair. ‘Oh, hi, Alasdair. I was just... um—’
He held his hands up and laughed. ‘Will you please stop panicking every time I walk into your office?’
I placed my cup down and huffed the air from my lungs through puffed cheeks. ‘Sorry. Force of habit.’
He shook his head and rolled his eyes, smiling. ‘I came in to ask if you and your lady friend would like to meet Colette and me for drinks next weekend. I thought perhaps... sorry, what’s her name?’ He cringed.
‘Star,’ I informed him with a cheesy grin. Good grief, if simply saying her name made me react that way it was definitely more than a fling.
‘I thought perhaps Star may feel a little more comfortable knowing a couple more faces at the charity ball.’
This guy never ceased to amaze me. ‘That’s... that’s really kind of you, Alasdair. Thank you. Where were you thinking of going? And when? We could meet you there.’
‘Oh, I was thinking somewhere quite relaxed. Maybe just a bar in the centre? How about Deacon Brodie’s on the Royal Mile? Say eight, a week on Friday? We can grab a bite to eat too if you’re okay with that?’
