Page 83 of Only You

Paul placed a hand on her arm. “It’s no problem. I’m sorry. You are beautiful, and l...”

Ana shook her head. “I’m not looking for a relationship, and I don’t do casual flings,” Ana said. “You’re a nice guy. I’m sorry if you thought there would be more.”

Paul smiled, “Don’t be. It’s been nice talking to you... If I’m honest, I’m not here to find anyone either. I came with Dan to keep him company.”

Ana grinned. “You sound like me. The girls convinced me to come out. I’m not really into the clubbing scene, but I didn’t want to let them down.”

They fell back into an easy conversation. Paul talked about a girl he fancied at university. They’d been friends, had a one-night stand, and now she was ghosting him. Ana listened, and they were laughing when Millie and Dan approached, arms wrapped around one another.

The speakers came on suddenly, “Ten, Nine, Eight..... One… Happy New Year!” The club went wild, everyone jumping and kissing one another. Millie grabbed Ana, planting a kiss on her lips before being dragged into Dan’s arms. Paul looked at Ana awkwardly, so she leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled shyly.

“You’re a nice guy, Paul,” Ana said into his ear. “When you get back, be honest with her. If it’s a misunderstanding, then maybe you can fix it.”

“The same goes for you,” Paul said, giving her a knowing look. Maybe he was more perceptive than Ana had thought.

George and Julie spun Ana around and wished her a Happy New Year.

It was three AM when they finally left the club, having detached Millie from the new love of her life and into a taxi. They were all staying at Millie’s house. Her parents had gone to celebrate New Year with friends and were staying overnight.

Millie spent the entire taxi ride gushing about Dan. How she had wasted so many years, and that he was an amazing kisser. George and Julie laughed at their drunk friend, helping Ana get her into the house and into bed.

Chapter Fifty-four

Ana

It was mid-afternoon when Ana let herself back into the annexe. She had slept badly, her mind swirling with thoughts about her future. She had spent the morning listening to Millie talk about Dan and how amazing he was.

Ana was happy for her friend. But by the time she left, she dreaded facing Andrew and Eva, knowing that she had pushed them together last night. Had they spent the night making out on the sofa or, worst of all, in Andrew’s bed? The thought of seeing them sitting around, laughing together as one big happy family was more than she could take today.

Opening the door to her room, Ana stopped. Andrew was sitting on her bed, his forearms resting on his thighs. He looked up as she entered, his expression unreadable.

“Andrew,” Ana said awkwardly, avoiding his gaze. “Is everything okay? Do you need me to look after Olivia?”

Her heart pounded in her chest as Andrew stared at her. She dropped her bag onto the floor before turning to face him.

As if shaking himself out of his trance. Andrew said, “Happy New Year… I hope you had a lovely evening.”

Ana flinched. Since when had they started making small talk? This was more awkward than when she’d first arrived at the house.

She stared at Andrew and waited. Ana watched as his shoulders dropped.

“I wanted to talk. Eva has Olivia upstairs, and I saw you arrive home.”

Home.

That word.

This was more of a home than any other she had lived in. But that was part of the problem... it wasn’therhome. She had overstepped, become too comfortable, and now things were awkward. She had thrown herself at her ex-brother-in-law, and now he was here to tell her it had all been a colossal mistake.

Ana shook her head. She couldn’t deal with this right now.

“I’m tired, Andrew. Can we do this talk another time? I have a raging hangover, and it was a late night,” she lied.

She couldn’t bear to hear him tell her it had all been a mistake... that now Eva was back…

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Ana,” Andrew said. “I’m glad you had fun last night. You deserved it. I’ve said you need to go out with your friends all along.” The smile he gave her looked sad. Ana watched as Andrew stood up and walked towards her. “You looked beautiful, and Olivia loved her matching dress. Thank you.”

Andrew lay a hand on her shoulder as he passed, her nerve endings firing pulses up and down her arm. She was glad she was wearing a thick jumper. Otherwise, he would have seen her skin pucker at his touch and her nipples turn to stone. She bit down on her tongue to prevent a rising moan as a newly familiar warmth pooled at her core. No-one had ever made her feel the way this man could with a single touch. Somehow, she doubted anyone ever would again.

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