Page 54 of Only You

He hugged Mary goodbye before turning to Star, who pulled him in for a hug. “She’s lovely, Andrew,” she whispered in his ear.

“It can’t happen, so don’t go getting any match-making ideas,” he whispered back.

Star pulled back and pursed her lips. “Never-say-never, Mr Dennison. Look at me.” Star winked before turning to Ana and pulling her in for a hug. “We must go out for dinner with the girls in the New Year.” Andrew heard her arrange. Ana grinned, all her misgivings of the day gone.

Andrew liked the idea of Ana getting on with his friends. She looked so relaxed as they got back into the car and headed home.

Chapter Thirty-six

Ana

“Thank you,” Ana said, turning to Andrew as they pulled out of the Hunt Estate and onto the main road. “Your friends are lovely.”

Andrew turned and smiled at her, sending a warm flutter through her stomach. “Glad I convinced you to come?” he asked, his tone clearly pointing out she had tried very hard to convince him not to take her with them.

“I take it all back,” Ana said, putting her hands up in surrender and relaxing into his teasing. It had taken Ana a little while to get used to Andrews’ teasing, but she had soon realised he liked to live in a relaxed environment. Serious issues were discussed accordingly. Everything else was fair game.

“The Hunts live in a beautiful house,” Ana said.

She knew Andrew had saved Lucas’ life the year before, after his heart attack, but they seemed to have become firm friends.

“Yes. Lucas is more than a patient. It turned out the world is a small place.” Andrew shot her a look, and she raised an eyebrow. Andrew continued. “After Skylar and Olivia became friends, I got to know Star by default. Star worked for Lucas, and then when Star and Damian got back together, our friendship snapped into place. He and Damian became some of my first friends down here.” Andrew sighed. “You haven’t met Christian yet. He’s Skylar’s biological father and my partner in crime when I manage to go out.” Andrew chuckled to himself, making Ana wonder whatcrimesthe two of them had got up to in the past.

Ana’s heart sank at the thought of Andrew out on the town with another single man. He hadn’t mentioned his date again or how it had gone. If she was honest, she didn’t want to know. Ana didn’t want their little world to change, but she wasn’t naïve enough to think the dynamics of their relationship wouldn’t shift if Andrew got a girlfriend. She knew the chances of him remaining single were small. She had eyes in her head and knew the impact he had on other women, not just her. Ana’s throat constricted. She would be nothing more than the nanny. To date, Andrew had never made her feel like that. He treated her more like a member of the family.

The drive home was pleasant. They swapped stories of the day. Ana told Andrew how the girls had convinced her to help them with their game, and that was why and how he had found her singing Disney Princess Hits in the playroom.

“I don’t think I’ll be giving up my day job,” she said, shoulder-bumping him as they laughed their way up the steps to the front door.

“Maybe not,” Andrew said, his eyes twinkling as he stared down at her. “But if you decide to, you have two super fans already.”

“Har-har!” Ana said, following Andrew into the house. Andrew flicked on a plug socket near the door, and all the Christmas lights came on in the hall.

“That’s better. We need to continue the festive cheer. I’m going to get changed... as it’s still early. Do you fancy watching another Christmas movie?” Andrew asked.

“Why not?” Ana answered.

Ana had enjoyed the day so much she was not ready to hide away in her room. She wanted to stay downstairs and continue enjoying her best Christmas Day ever.

Andrew nodded before they both headed upstairs to get changed. Ana hung up her dress and pulled on a pair of leggings and an oversized hoodie. Movie night meant comfort. Ana was the first back downstairs, and when she entered the sitting room, she laughed at the chaos that presented itself. Olivia’s new toys were strewn from one side of the room to the other. The bag of discarded wrapping paper sat to the side. At least she’d had the foresight to tidy that away. Ana got down on her hands and knees and started piling up the recent presents. She would take them up to Olivia’s room later and find somewhere to store them.

Andrew entered the room looking much more relaxed. He waved his phone at her before placing it on the coffee table. “No calls yet. I checked in, and everything seems in order.”

Ana smiled at him and stood up. Olivia’s presents in her arms. Andrew stepped forward to take them from her. His hands brushed hers and sent sharp electrical pulses shooting up her arms. Ana kept her eyes lowered, not wanting Andrew to see how he was affecting her. She needed to get herself under control. As Andrew took the presents, Ana jumped in.

“I’ll make us a cup of tea,” she said, leaving before touching her hands to her flaming cheeks.

Ana heard Andrew climb the stairs and enter Olivia’s room. Ana filled the kettle and was leaning back on the side when Andrew entered.

“All tidy,” Andrew said. “Now we can watch a movie without looking at a room full of toys. Speaking of movies, what do you fancy watching?” Andrew moved further into the kitchen, and Ana found her body throbbing at his closeness.

Maybe watching a movie wasn’t the best option.

“I don’t mind,” Ana said, trying to focus her attention on the kettle and not on Andrew. It clicked off, and Ana lifted the kettle too quickly. Boiling water bounced out of the spout and onto her hand. “Ahhh, damn it!” she said, dropping the kettle on the side.

Before she had time to think, Andrew pulled her over to the sink, his arms looped around her from behind, his chest pressed against her back. Andrew immersed her hand in the flow of ice-cold water, taking her breath away. Ana tried to pull away, but Andrew held it firm.

“Hold still,” he said, close to her ear, his breath tickling her neck. Ana froze, her eyes closing as every nerve ending seemed to fire all at once. She could feel Andrew’s heat radiating behind her, his strength pressed into her back. It was all she could do not to collapse back against him. The water was getting colder and colder, but his touch soothed the burn. Ana wanted to groan when he finally pulled the scolded limb from the water, not because of the pain but the loss of his body. Andrew moved to the cupboard, pulling down a fully stocked first aid kit. He dried her wet hand and tenderly applied burn cream. Ana stood mesmerised as she watched him work.

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