Page 83 of Christmas off Script
Then Libby’s face broke into a sunny smile. ‘That’s a fantastic idea!’
Henry looked like he’d just escaped the firing squad. ‘One hundred per cent.’
Finn appeared similarly relieved. ‘Definitely. Thanks, Leo.’
‘Bally marvellous!’ Arthur said. ‘The show’s back on the road!’
Leo glanced around the circle. The black mood had lifted and everyone looked excited again. He turned to Ella. ‘Are you alright with this?’ he murmured.
‘Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?’
Leo didn’t know how to reply. Suddenly, all he could think of were the kisses written into the script. He needed to talk to Ella about them. He didn’t want to be like Zach and assume she’d want to kiss him, no matter how chaste they were meant to be.
Yes. He’d talk to her after the rehearsal. Make it clear she didn’t have to do it.
‘Alrighty then!’ Libby got to her feet. ‘Let’s dive straight in with Cinders and Prince Charming at the ball. Ella, Leo, you both ready to fall in love?’
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‘Yep, all good!’ Avoiding looking at Leo, Ella jumped to her feet, her wits scattering like sugar grains falling from a tipped bowl.
Do I want to fall in love with him?She let out a little huff as she made for the stage.That ship has already sailed.
Shaking her head, she clambered onto the stage.
‘Sorry,’ Leo said behind her.
‘What for?’ She turned to face him, her heart leaping at his proximity.
‘Me volunteering for the role.’
‘I told you, I’m fine with it.’
‘Then why were you just shaking your head?’
Because I’m in love with you more than I was in love with Zach and Oliver put together. Because I’m going to have to kiss you, and I want to do that more than win the Christmas quiz. Because I don’t want to lose our friendship. Because I’m seriously worried youcanread my mind. Heat flooded her cheeks as the answers ran around her head like excited children wanting to be let out to play.
Leo ran a hand into his hair and sighed, as if her silence was confirmation of his thoughts. ‘Look,’ he began.
‘Honestly, it’s fine.’ The tip of her thumb fiddled with the foil ring on her finger. ‘I was just…’ But as she gazed at him, her brain lost the ability to come up with a convincing lie. All she could think about was what would happen if she actually married him. Shared a bed with him. The hard heat of his body above her,inher.
He huffed. ‘You’re a rubbish liar.’
‘Okay!’ Libby said. ‘Now the stage is dry, let’s take it from Cinderella’s entrance.’
‘Hang on!’ Arthur cried. ‘Wait for us! Come on, Steve, shake a leg!’
‘Ella,’ Leo murmured urgently as the two ugly sisters clambered onto the stage. ‘You don’t have to kiss me.’
‘But—’
‘It doesn’t matter what’s in the script. You don’t have to do it.’
But I want to!she internally wailed.
Connor played incidental music, and Leo moved away.
Frustration tightening her insides, Ella went to the back of the stage.
