Page 123 of An Unholy Affair
He glanced at her. ‘PosieParrot?’
Her eyes flicked towards the bookshelf. ‘They’re all character names from Polly Hart books,’ she said quietly.
Fireworks went off inside his chest and he laughed. ‘You’re brilliant, Eveline. That’s fuc—epic!’
She was staring at the bedspread, her cheeks pink and her fingers picking at the patterned flowers.
‘Does anyone else know?’ he asked.
‘Estelle,’ she said quietly. ‘She swipes the cards for me after the event.’
‘Legend.’ He took her hands. ‘Eveline? Look at me, love.’
She slowly brought her gaze to meet his.
‘You’re amazing. Don’t hide your light. Let it shine. Isn’t that what God wants you to do?’
She blinked. ‘But you don’t believe in God.’
He huffed. ‘Let’s just say that God and I have reached an understanding.’
Her eyes widened until he could see all the whites.
‘Look, it doesn’t matter what I believe or not,’ he continued. ‘YourGod loves you and wants the best for you. You’ve worked hard to earn these prizes and deserve the recognition. Next year, promise you’ll enter under your own name?’
She frowned, chewing on her lower lip, and Jack remembered her telling him about her family—the unsaid message that her mother and accomplished younger half-sisters didn’t visit the UK. Had Eveline been so marginalised that being taken for granted felt like her natural position in life? It certainly fitted the pattern of never putting herself first.
She glanced away.
‘Eveline?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Are you going to the Winter Ball this Saturday?’
‘Um?’
‘I know Estelle’s given you a seat at her table and has been badgering you to go. This is a chance for you to shine asyou, not just Foxbrooke’s vicar.’ He squeezed her hands. ‘When I first saw you in that bar, the rest of the world just faded away. You’re so beautiful, Eveline, in every way.’ He swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. ‘Would you consider going to the ball… With me?’
She looked up. ‘Oh…’
‘You don’t have to, it’s just a thought,’ he said quickly.
Colour bloomed in her cheeks. ‘Well, after what’s happened now with the pews…’
Simon Little. Had she been holding back not to piss off that fucker?
She took a breath. ‘Yes, Jack. I would love to go to the ball with you.’
He smiled at her, giddy with excitement. He could leave his past behind in Franceandfind a way to make it work with Eveline in Foxbrooke.
‘Jack…’
‘Yes, angel?’
‘You understand now how competitive I am?’
He nodded.
