took the coward’s way out and rang you anonymously at the library. It was also why I tried to encourage you to have a date with Noah when he came to England. Can you forgive me?’
Willow sighed.
‘Of course.’
Oh, what a day. What a flipping awful day.
And then she caught sight of Noah. He was heading her way.
‘Sorry to interrupt, but the DJ is asking if you’re still doing a first dance. I’ve put him in the picture, but he wondered if you’d like to dance with your dad. Would that be all right?’
‘No,’ said Willow, shaking her head.
‘Okie-dokie, I’ll let the guy know.’
‘No need,’ said Willow, catching hold of Noah’s arm.
‘Then who are you going to dance with?’ he said, looking confused.
Willow’s mouth twitched.
‘I’m going to dance with you.’
Sixty-Five
Noah stared at Willow, saw that she was serious, and didn’t waste a moment. Nodding to the DJ, he led her on to the dance floor.
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ said the DJ. ‘Put your hands together for Willow.’
As the opening bars to the music began to play, everybody applauded the bride-that-never-was.
Several guests raised an eyebrow at Willow’s handsome partner. He’d gathered her into his arms and was now delivering enough smoulders to start an Australian bush fire. Inevitably, there were some discreet murmurs behind hands. How come the jilted bride looked like a woman who was rapidly falling in love before their very eyes?
‘Willow,’ said Noah, holding her tight. ‘I want you to know that I think you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met.’
‘Not brave,’ she shook her head, revelling in his warm hands against her spine.
The last time Noah had touched her back had been when doing up all the little buttons on the back of her dress. Now Willow wished he was undoing them.
Here she goes. More erotic thoughts. Aren’t you in mourning for your fiancé?
Oh hello. I wondered when you’d pipe up. And no. I’m not grieving.
People will talk, you know.
You mean they aren’t already?
I mean they’ll gossip.
So let them. Now go away. I’m having a moment and want to enjoy it.
‘However,’ Willow said. ‘I’ve decided that maybe today isn’t so awful after all.’
She gave him a bold smile.
‘In fact, right now, things seem pretty wonderful.’
Noah met her smile with one of tenderness, and Willow felt her body responding. Delicious zingers were once again making their presence known, and she was loving it.
‘Do you remember that day when you were with my sister in Franco’s coffee shop?’ said Noah. ‘We spoke on FaceTime.’
‘We did.’
‘And… at the time you agreed to me taking you out to dinner.’
Willow could feel herself going pink. She could remember that moment only too well. It was when she’d allowed her mind to wander off on a rather erotic daydream starring Noah Everest. And while her mind had been busily engaged elsewhere, she’d apparently agreed to a dinner date without taking on board one word of what Noah had been saying.
‘Whatever must you have thought of me agreeing to have dinner with you when I was engaged to another man?’
‘Just that you were being friendly,’ said Noah, but his eyes gleamed mischievously. ‘Admittedly, my intentions were… er…’
‘What?’
‘Okay. Confession time. From the moment I saw you on my phone screen, I knew that, when I got to England, I wanted to take you out. Properly. You know, on a date. A romantic date.’
Willow grinned.
‘Did you now?’ she said, arching an eyebrow.
‘Yeah. Which was a bit naughty of me. But I want you to know that I’m not in the habit of asking out engaged women, or married women, or women with boyfriends, or–’
‘I think I get the picture,’ Willow interrupted, still smiling.
‘I hope you don’t think badly of me.’
‘I don’t. In fact…’
‘Yes?’
‘Does your invitation to dinner still stand?’ she asked playfully.
He looked at her. Really looked at her. And once again Willow had the feeling that Noah was peering right into her soul.
‘Oh yes,’ he nodded. ‘The invitation still stands. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to take you out to dinner. Do you think… that maybe… you might like to get to know me properly after all?’
Willow felt as though every cell in her body was cheering her on as she replied.
‘Yes. I think I’d like that very much.’
Epilogue
Eighteen months later
Everyone agreed they’d never seen a bride and groom look so well-matched and so in love.
As the DJ played the opening bars to the first dance, the handsome man led his beautiful bride on to a dance floor strewn with confetti and petals. Gathering her into his arms, he pulled her close.
‘Happy, darling?’
‘You bet,’ she beamed. ‘Who would’ve ever guessed that I’d marry my best friend’s brother!’
‘Indeed.’ He then shrugged helplessly. ‘Shame about your new mother-in-law.’
‘Hm. Maybe one day she’ll be back on my Christmas card list.’
‘In which case, you’ll have to include her new husband.’
‘Oh?’
‘I found out she recently married.’
‘No kidding. Anyone we know?’
‘I’ll give you a clue. You were once engaged to your new father-in-law…’
THE END