Page 83 of Love ad Lib
‘Say you now work in publishing?’
Libby slumped on the bed and put her head in her hands. ‘This is never going to work.’
He sat next to her, three feet away. ‘They’re probably only staying till Monday. And there’s enough people and alcohol to distract him.’
She looked up. ‘At least it’s only him we need to be worried about.’
‘Ah…’
‘Oh god.’ She groaned. ‘What now?’
‘Cecily is a Polly Hart fan. Apparently, her friend Genevieve was at the launch and “didn’t mention” seeing me there.’
‘How on earth are we going to explain that away?’
He gazed at his clasped hands, then brought one up to rub the back of his neck.
‘Henry?’
‘Cousin Rupert surmised the reason Genevieve didn’t see us was that, er…’
‘What? We were wearing an invisibility cloak?’
He seemed deeply embarrassed. ‘We were behind a bookshelf and I had my hand—’ He cleared his throat. ‘Um, my hand was inside your, er, skirt,’ he finished, staring intently at the floor.
‘And what did you say?’ Libby asked, suddenly so hot she thought she might faint.
‘I said “that’s about right”.’
There was a pause.
‘I’m so sorry, Libby. I didn’t know what to do.’
Her laugh was as breathless as she felt. ‘You did fine, Henry. Honestly, that sounds absolutely perfect.’
He glanced up.
‘I mean your response!’ she squeaked. ‘To Rupert.’
He stood. ‘I bought locks for the door today,’ he said, addressing the wardrobe. ‘We’ve got about an hour before we have to be downstairs. Do you mind if I try and fit them?’
‘That’s fine,’ she replied staring at the bedside table. ‘I’ll get ready in the bathroom.’
Libby gazedat her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t need any blusher. Her cheeks were bright pink. There was no point in pretending any more. She had a massive crush on Henry Foxbrooke. But was it real? Up until a few days ago she’d believed herself utterly in love with Lucas. Her mind was confused by the mess of thoughts and feelings it was trying to unravel, but it seemed her body knew exactly who it wanted, and that was Henry.
‘Is it safe to come out?’ she called through the bathroom door.
‘Yes.’
Libby entered the bedroom and bit back a moan. Henry looked like he’d stepped off a catwalk. His dark suit was impeccably styled to frame his physique and he had a jaw that could cut glass.
He glanced at her and swallowed. ‘I don’t want to speak inappropriately…’
Please do!
‘But you look altogether lovely, Libby.’ He stepped back, as if to make sure there was enough distance between them. ‘I’m honoured you’re my fake girlfriend.’
Her heart squeezed. How was he still single? It was utterly incomprehensible to her.
