Page 58 of Merrily Ever After
He passed the picture back to her and her breath hitched as his fingers brushed against hers.
‘Emily,’ he said steadily. ‘This is a lot to get your head around. I can’t begin to imagine how it would feel to suddenly discover a sibling after spending the first three decades of life as an only child. Take your time, let it sink in. And, in the meantime, try not to fling yourself down any more staircases.’
They smiled at each other, he was attempting to lighten the mood and she appreciated the gesture.
‘I’ll do my best. And thank you for looking after me. You’re a good man. A good friend.’
‘Saint Will at your service.’ His eyes flicked away, and he clapped his hands together as if changing the subject. ‘Now can I call someone to come and drive you home? A significant other maybe?’
‘Thanks, but I can manage by myself. My ankle already feels stronger.’ She brushed crumbs from her lap. ‘And there isn’t a significant other. Not anymore.’
‘Ah.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘Hence the ready meals and Netflix?’
She smiled. ‘Exactly. There was someone, but he got fed up with me putting my dad first.’
‘What?’ Will pulled a face and Emily felt a rush of warmth towards him; she couldn’t imagine him being anything less than supportive in the same situation. ‘Perhaps now that your dad is settled, you’ll able to start afresh.’
Emily wrinkled her nose. ‘Absolutely no way, he had his chance. There’s no going back there.’
He laughed in surprise. ‘No, I wasn’t suggesting that you go back tohim.’
‘OK, good.’ Emily reached for the llama sock Will had peeled off and tugged it back on. ‘Because life is simpler without him.’
‘Right, right.’ He nodded thoughtfully. ‘Well, I don’t want tounsimplify your life, but I was thinking maybe we could go for a drink one evening? Or share a curry while watching an old episode ofFriends? Like the party animals that we are.’ He shrugged as if to say that it was no big deal either way. But the faint blush on his cheeks gave him away.
She blinked at him. ‘Um, are you asking me out on a date?’
‘If you’d rather not, I understand.’ The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile. ‘I’m sure Bernard will have some more personal hygiene chores to keep me busy, if I’m lucky.’
Nerves of excitement fluttered inside her; she could almost hear Izzy’s voice yelling at her to say yes, but there was a lot going on and she needed space to process it all. ‘I’m flattered, Will. But can we take a rain check on the drink? I think I need a bit of time to get my head around Dad’s news.’
‘Of course.’ He ran a hand through his hair, looking flustered. ‘I totally understand. It was insensitive of me to ask under the circumstances.’
‘Not at all,’ she said, anxious to reassure him. ‘There’s nothing wrong with asking for what you want out of life.’
He grinned. ‘Motto to live by, right there.’
She got to her feet gingerly, testing out her ankle. It still ached, but she’d be able to make it home. ‘Thanks again for the cake and for listening. I needed both.’
Will stood up too and collected their mugs. ‘We all do. Be kind to yourself, Emily. You’ve got a lot on your shoulders; you don’t have to do it alone.’
She quickly said goodbye and left the room before she did something stupid like cry, or worse, throw her arms around his neck and kiss his lovely mouth. He was such a nice guy and genuinely seemed to want to help. But no, she told herself firmly. It wasn’t the right time to get involved with someone. Not when her family life was in such turmoil. She had a new sister to get to grips with first, and what she was going to do about that was anybody’s guess.
Chapter Nineteen
Merry
4 DECEMBER
‘So where do you want me?’ Cole asked, joining me in the living room of Holly Cottage.
‘Now there’s a question,’ I said saucily, putting my bag of nail polishes on the coffee table.
‘Don’t distract me,’ he warned, his eyes flashing with mischief, ‘or you’ll be late to your own party.’
He slid his arms around my waist and pulled me in for a kiss. It was Friday night, the log burner was blazing merrily, I had two of my Mistletoe Kiss candles giving off an amazing smell and the lighting was low. The setting was perfect for a romantic evening, but I was going to have to hold that thought. Tonight was my hen party and in assorted homes across Wetherley, my dearest friends were, like me, getting their glad rags on for an evening of festivities.
‘So how are you enjoying being engaged to me?’ I asked, pressing myself closer. ‘I’m not being too much of a bridezilla, I hope?’
